By Albatross
November 22 2002

"Chrissie Turn - oh hang on, Colin West's - no, not right either.... ah, here we are! Mikey Newell's Blue and White Army!" The fans have to change a few chants, but hopefully there'll be no change in the results on the pitch as Mike Newell looks to keep Pools on course at Leyton Orient. So it's off to Sunny (ahem) Brisbane Road as Mike Newell takes charge for the first time. Orient hasn't exactly been a happy hunting ground for Pools in recent seasons, with us usually producing one of our poorer performances in London. Add in the events of this week, and you have to wonder if the scene is set for another bad display.

Currently 18th, Orient fans had been hoping and expecting better and so Paul Brush finds himself under pressure. Last Saturday's FA Cup draw at home to Margate ended a run of three defeats covereing League Games at home to Bury, and away to York, and the LDV tie at Bournemouth. Away form has been their major problem, with just five points collected in nine games; at home they have lost twice, Oxford joining Bury as the only teams to leave Orient with all three points.

Great things were expected of Lee Thorpe - the former Lincoln man arrived in the close season - he has scored 5 goals, but much more was expected of him. Their other leading scorers so far have been Kevin Nugent and defender Matt Lockwood with four each, but scoring goals has not come easily this season, with 19 scored in their 18 league games against 22 conceded. They have recently been bolstered by the loan signings of defender Ezy Iriekpen from West Ham, and someone from Ipswich who goes by the name of Miller..... Justin Miller that is, a South African born defender.

The thing that all Poolies are interested in though is what Mike Newell decides to do with the team. This game is unlikely to answer that question though, as with Pools travelling down today he won't have had much opportunity to look at the players. Instead, he is almost certain to allow himself to be guided by acting Assistant Manager Martin Scott, and that more than likely means little change from the last couple of games. We should stick with 4-4-2, and the side that has played in the last two games at Exeter and Southend.

On paper, Pools should clock up another away win tomorrow - we seem to be very good at beating the lower teams and Orient certainly class as that at the moment. How will the players respond to this week's events though? When I asked this question two weeks ago, the answer was "with a win" and with Newell making all the right noises about not changing things unless necessary the team spirit will hopefully not have suffered too much. When you include how little we like Brisbane Road - no wins for the best part of nine years - it's pointing at a draw, so I'll go for another 1-1 draw (hey, I was right last week) with Williams to notch.

Assuming I make it to the game there'll be a report either late on Saturday Night, or on Sunday. Either way, we will still be able to sing "We are Top of the League!"