Manager ahead of Orient clash on Saturday
Graham Alexander insists his side are ready to build on their fine start to the new league campaign when Leyton Orient travel to the Fylde Coast on Saturday afternoon.The Cod Army ensured that their unbeaten start to the season remained intact last weekend as they played out a 0-0 draw against Paul Cook’s Chesterfield side at Highbury.
Another positive was the fact Town are still yet to concede from open play, with a penalty from Crewe’s Brad Inman on the opening day the only thing to have beaten Chris Maxwell so far.
Saturday’s fixture will present Alexander and co with their biggest challenge to-date though, with Russell Slade’s men coming off the back of a superb Capital One Cup win in midweek.
Orient defeated Barclays Premier League side Aston Villa on Wednesday night thanks to Romain Vincelot's late header, so will be buoyed ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
And Alexander is wary of the threat they pose: “They showed this week against Villa just how good a team they are and how difficult an opponent they’re going to be on Saturday.”
“They’ve got some experienced League One players and had a fantastic season last year before falling just short at the final hurdle.”
“We have to show them that we can compete at the same level and make sure that we show them what we’re good at.”
“We’ll go into it confidently. We’ve had a very good start and the players are buoyed with the way they’ve played. We’re in a good place at the moment but we have to fight very hard to stay there.”
Reflecting on his side’s fine start to life in England’s third tier, the manager is pleased with what he’s seen so far, but doesn’t wish to get carried away.
“Getting ten points after four games is a good start, but we’re not content and we’re not complacent in any way shape or form because we know its early days.”
“The early signs are that this team can compete at this level which is pleasing, but there’s always a test waiting for us around the corner.”
“The biggest test of all is consistency, and we have to make sure that we can perform as well as we can, as often as we can. That’s our task this season.”
“When we were promoted last summer we knew the basis of this squad was good enough to compete at this level in any one off game, now we have to do it over 46 games.”
“To do that we need the players to push and support each other to get that competitive level right at training, so we can then take it into games.”