MillersMad Match Thread...Millers v Leyton Orient

[CTMilller]

That?s what I thought, Uttis, before I saw the article. I?ve pasted in the words I read below

?REECE James is fighting to be fit for this weekend and to play his part in Rotherham United?s bid to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

The left-back, who has been operating as a wing-back this season, went off at the interval during the 2-1 triumph at Northampton Town five days ago and is being assessed by the club's medical staff.?

Let?s hope he?s in the squad tomorrow.

[pipppy]

Helio another good intro for the game.

[Lolmorgan]

Hello everyone and welcome to another match thread. Please post any early thoughts and in-play comments here as we welcome Leyton Orient, aka the O's, to the New York Stadium.

The Boss
Former Doncaster Rovers manager, Richie Wellens, was appointed boss at Leyton Orient on 9/3/2022.

Wellens has two promotions on his CV, as well as being an efl trophy winner with Salford City. He won the L2 title with Leyton Orient in 2022/23 and also with Swindon Town in 2019/20. Aside from that, he led the O's to the L1 play-off final last season where they were narrowly beaten by fellow Londoners, Charlton Athletic.

Highly regarded, Wellens was recently linked with the vacant Luton job. O's fans will be delighted that Wellens is still in situ and the likely man to continue the build going on at the club

Player(s) to watch
Dominic Ballard is top scorer with 6 goals in just 8 appearances. The 20 year old former England youth international will be brimming with confidence after a hat-trick against Doncaster last Saturday in their 4-0 home win.

Summer signing, Aaron Conolly, is another player to watch. The attacking midfielder, who has nearly 50 Premier League appearances to his name, was signed on a free transfer from Millwall in the summer. The 25 year old has scored 5 goals this season and along with Dominic Ballard, these two represent a big attacking threat for the O's.

Josh Koroma needs little introduction to Millers fans. He's scored 3 goals so far this season.

Played for both clubs
Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Josh Koroma, Adam Thompson. Jamie McCart played on loan at the O's.

Recent Form
Leyton Orient 4 v 0 Doncaster
Leyton Orient 2 v 1 Crawley (EFL Trophy)
Cardiff 4 v 3 Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient 2 v 3 Stevenage
Reading 2 v 1 Leyton Orient

Latest Odds
Millers win (15/8)
Draw (9/4)
Leyton Orient win (13/10)

Recent Meetings

(04/03/2025)
L1 Rotherham 1 v 0 Leyton Orient
(Sweeney OG)

(22/10/2024)
L1 Leyton Orient 1 v 0 Rotherham

Verdict on Leyton Orient
After the 4-0 mauling of Doncaster Rovers, Richie Wellens said in his post-match interview that "it was coming" and that "someone was going to take a beating"

You can begin to understand these comments when you look at the statistics and notice that Leyton Orient had a total of 50 shots (yes 50!) against Cardiff and Crawley. These were the two games immediately prior to them putting 4 past Doncaster. So with that in mind, it should come as no surprise to learn that Leyton Orient are currently the league's joint top scorers with 20 goals. On the other hand, they also have the leakiest defence in the league, shipping 22 goals.

Like us, Orient have had a big turnover of players in the summer, which may explain their indifferent start to the season. It's a very different team to the one we faced last season so it's hard to know exactly what to expect from them this term. But, with Richie Wellens in charge and the squad they have, I expect them to be challenging for a top 6 spot.

Massive optimism if we win this one because it will be a tough game. It'll be a challenge for us defensively on Saturday, just as it will be for Orient, especially with Nombe back in the mix.

Really looking forward to this one, enjoy the game everyone and UTM.

You missed Alex Revell played for both clubs. Their fans give him some stick at Wembley but as we know too well he had the last say.

[Scum-Triumphant]

CT I haven?t seen an article suggesting James is injured but could be wrong, I thought his substitution at Northampton was purely tactical

James is our best player for me. He is always a 7/10. He works hard, his positioning is good, solid when he tackles and his passing is excellent.

[RU66]

James is like Rafferty good experienced players reading between the lines don't think he'll play today. No other left back so be a back 3. Powell left wing back.

[Townerslovechild]

James is decent left back or wing back, who has tendency to be done by pace when playing as a fullback, this seems less of problem when playing as a wingback.
Might not play today, so the obvious swop would be either Kaleta or Martha, and sounds like Martha's mind and body is still in another time zone, so Kaleta to come in.
Plenty of choice in midfield still, but Gore,Benson, and Spence.
Raffa,Rules and Baptiste in defence, with Huggy Bear and The Sheriff up top.
Difficult game.......1-1.

[Edinburghmiller]

CT I haven?t seen an article suggesting James is injured but could be wrong, I thought his substitution at Northampton was purely tactical

James is a doubt due to injury. Nothing serious according to MH but he may not be ready for today's match. Tight hamstring.

[uttis]

James is decent left back or wing back, who has tendency to be done by pace when playing as a fullback, this seems less of problem when playing as a wingback.
Might not play today, so the obvious swop would be either Kaleta or Martha, and sounds like Martha's mind and body is still in another time zone, so Kaleta to come in.
Plenty of choice in midfield still, but Gore,Benson, and Spence.
Raffa,Rules and Baptiste in defence, with Huggy Bear and The Sheriff up top.
Difficult game.......1-1.

Towner I think Kaleta is still injured so don?t know what we?ll do in the left wing back position like Gru says will probably stick Powell there, it?s a shame about James as he and Powell have a very good partnership down that side, the plus side of it is Powell is a very intelligent player and his defensive attributes sometimes go unnoticed I don?t mind him being there but it?s not something Hamshaw will want to do for a long period I just hope Hamshaw isn?t tempted to stick Jules there he?s played left back before but can?t see him zooming up and down this would be to a accommodate Raggett but make us very disjointed just hope this game has come too soon for him he?s still got a part to play but for me he?s just a bit part we just can?t rely on him regularly

[Heliosphan78]

You missed Alex Revell played for both clubs. Their fans give him some stick at Wembley but as we know too well he had the last say.

Damn it! In my defence, I'm certain Revell was on the draft I put together but thanks anyway for pointing out this glaring omission.

[Scum-Triumphant]

I?m looking forward to the match today.

More than happy that Benson is proving me wrong. In my defence, his first couple of cameos. He looked like he had never seen a football before.
I like Spence but I don?t think him and Benson can play together. Needs a bit of steel in there from Gore.

I predict that Martha will keep developing here. Leave for free or a small transfer fee and go on to bigger things.