National League club travel to Billericay Town on Saturday and a big crowd could be in attendance at the New Lodge
Steve Davis expects to see another brilliant Leyton Orient following on Saturday and knows the match with Billericay Town will act as the perfect preparation for their National League opener at Sutton United on August 5.
The Blues play in the Isthmian Premier, two divisions below O’s level, but are owned by millionaire businessman Glenn Tamplin.
Billericay have various high-profile players like Paul Konchesky and Jamie O’Hara and were watched by crowds of over a thousand for the most part of last season.
Davis said: “It was another brilliant following by our fans at Hornchurch and they have been really loyal throughout pre-season.
“The lads appreciate the support they are getting and we know the fans will take a lot to Billericay and the atmosphere could be similar to what we will get in the National League.
“From that point of view there is something to play for and we want to go through pre-season unbeaten if we can, so that’s the aim.
“We want to get to a point before Sutton where we have gained some confident from the pre-season games and we are playing how we want to play. At the moment I am reasonably pleased with where we are.”
The former Crewe Alexandra boss is likely to play David Mooney and Macauley Bonne up front again.
It seems the pair will be Orient’s first-choice strikers this season and Davis is fairly content with their partnership.
He admitted after the goalless draw at Hornchurch that he wants Mooney to stay a little bit closer to Bonne.
But the O’s head coach was pleased with their link-up play together and the way his team adapted to different formations at Bridge Avenue.
“I think ‘Moons’ is dropping a little bit too deep at times. I know he likes to do that, but I want him to play up there,” said Davis.
“We tried to get him a little bit closer to Macauley against Hornchurch and I think he did that reasonably well.
“Again it is important they build that relationship and I wanted them to play a little bit more in a 4-4-2 and it provided us with a good link.
“The wingers also provided us with a good link in the first half, so you have to find different ways of playing and various situations in games will determine how we set up.
“I think friendlies are great to try different things and for the last 20 minutes against Hornchurch we went with a 4-3-3, so it gives me food for thought.”
Davis continued: “I have never been to Billericay before, so it is another new ground for me and I am looking forward to it. It will be another good test and a good game.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here