Jamaican international believes the O’s can win at Scunthorpe next week and reveals his own memories of the competition

East London Advertiser: The Emirates FA Cup (pic; Andrew Matthews/PA)The Emirates FA Cup (pic; Andrew Matthews/PA) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Leyton Orient midfielder Jobi McAnuff is confident they can win their FA Cup second round replay at Scunthorpe United next week and in the process book a tie against Chelsea in the next round.

The draw for the third round was made last night on the BBC and the O’s could be set to visit Stamford Bridge on the weekend of January 8-11.

First things first, however, they must beat the Iron at Glanford Park next Tuesday (December 15).

Speaking after the goalless draw with Scunthorpe on Saturday, McAnuff was also full of praise for Ian Hendon and his staff.

“Our performance against Scunthorpe 100 per cent gives us confidence going up there, especially with what we had out,” said the Jamaican international.

“It was a different team and a different formation. The boys have adapted well and a lot of credit has to go to the staff and the preparation we do.

“All that stuff has been really good and we are looking forward to the replay now.”

If Orient can progress through to the third round, a lot of the squad won’t have come up against many Premier League teams before.

McAnuff has played in the top flight before with Reading and enjoyed a lot of success in the FA Cup too.

The former West Ham midfielder is pleased people still get behind the famous, old competition.

“I have had a good couple of FA Cup runs with Reading. We got to the quarter-finals a couple of times and beat Liverpool away, which was decent, and Everton so it has been a good trophy and one I enjoy,” added McAnuff.

“It is nice, especially for the smaller clubs in particular, it gives them a great opportunity to go to a big club and play well.

“You can show that a lot of players playing a little bit down can match boys higher up so for me it is a very important tournament and I am glad people still get behind it and it has that spark.”

After drawing with Scunthorpe at the weekend, Orient will have a fare bit of travelling to do over the next week.

They face Mansfield Town on Saturday before the trip to Glanford Park on Tuesday night.

But considering three of their last four games have been at Brisbane Road, McAnuff feels they can’t complain too much.

The 34-year-old added: “We are quite fortunate with how the games have dropped for us - obviously around Christmas it is not too bad either.

“Now we have another away game, but it is not too bad. We would rather go to Scunthorpe for a replay than not so we need to deal with the travelling we do.”