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Cheltenham boss looking to extend unbeaten run against Orient
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| Keith Downing |
CHELTENHAM manager Keith Downing believes his League One strugglers will have been boosted by the draw at Luton on Saturday ahead of the visit of Orient today.
The O's go into the Easter Monday clash at Whaddon Road with their faint play-off hopes dashed following a 3-0 defeat against Carlisle at the weekend.
But the Robins moved a step closer to safety after stretching their recent unbeaten run to three games following a battling point at Kenilworth Road, with Downing going with a 4-5-1 formation he is likely to stick with for the visit of the O's.
"It was important for us to come away from Luton with something on Saturday because it kept our little run going," Downing told the clubs' official website.
"We have now taken seven points from the last nine available and psychologically that is a real positive for everyone. Another plus was that we did something we have not done that often away from home and that's recover after not playing so well in the first half. The players responded really positively after half-time and it took immediate effect in terms of our second half performance.
"Leyton Orient will come to us having had a disappointment on Saturday defeat to Carlisle United but they are still in touch with the play-off pack and they are a very good side in my opinion. All credit to Martin Ling and his staff, who have put together a side with a lot of new faces over a short period of time and seen an immediate effect from it.
"Martin has been at Orient for a few years now and his teams are always out to play entertaining football so I think we'll see a good game. They have threats with their attacking players and a strong back line so we will be in for a difficult test but it is important that we continue to focus on our jobs and try to make it a positive Easter. The last few games have involved a huge effort from everyone here and we have earned some rewards for it. Now we must try and continue that effort for the remaining few weeks of the season.
"Our supporters can make a big difference as well and help to lift the players towards the goal we are all striving for. Hopefully we will have a good crowd in to see us try to beat Orient on Monday and if everyone reading this can try and encourage their friends to come along it will help us to finish the job off."
Craig Reid will challenge Damien Spencer for the lone striker role after making an impact as a substitute at Luton on Saturday. Midfielders Michael D'Agostino and Andy Lindegaard could come into contention.
Alex Russell is still missing with a stomach injury and Michael Townsend (illness), Gavin Caines (knee) and John Finnigan (ankle) all remain long-term absentees.
9:24am Monday 24th March 2008
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