Defender keen for O’s to approach Saturday’s game with belief despite their recent run of defeats

Leyton Orient full-back Jake Caprice is relishing the prospect of taking on National League leaders Aldershot Town this weekend despite the O’s terrible run of form.

After starting September with a 4-1 win over Guiseley, Steve Davis has seen his team lose their last three matches to drop to 13th in the table.

The Shots, in contrast, are top of the league having won three of their last four – conceding just twice in the process, but Caprice is full of confidence ahead of Orient’s trip to the Recreation Ground.

He said: “Aldershot are a footballing side like ourselves, so it won’t be like some of the matches we have played this season where teams like to kick it long and play off the second balls.

“I expect they will try to pass it and play and move us about, so it will be interesting to see how we do against them. I think we will go into it with optimism and confident we can get something from the game.”

What has cost Orient in recent defeats is wasted opportunities and poor defending.

Macauley Bonne blazed over when one-on-one at Boreham Wood with the score only 1-0 to the hosts and Matt Harrold and Rommy Boco missed glorious chances when O’s were only losing by one goal at home to Halifax Town last Tuesday (September 12).

At the weekend, Bonne, Orient’s top goalscorer, smashed an effort against the post and Joe Widdowson failed to make the most of a great opening just before Hartlepool United equalised.

Poor defending has also been very costly with O’s conceding twice from free-kicks at the weekend and on two occasions from crosses against the Shaymen in the previous match.

Caprice added: “I didn’t think there was a lot wrong with our performance on Saturday, but it is just the result which is disappointing.

“If we can perform the way we have done then I think we will be alright this season, but it is important we cut out the silly errors from set-pieces.”

Orient have never actually faced Aldershot Town in a competitive match, who were founded in the spring of 1992 after Aldershot FC were wound up in the High Court.

Caprice has, with Woking last season, and knows what to expect from the Shots, adding: “They have a big pitch, which they try to utilise. They look to play the ball out from the back, but I feel we are more than equipped to deal with their threat.

“Hopefully we can impose ourselves on the game and play our football too.”