Preston fans probably weren't too upset with the start to their first season back in League One following their relegation last year. A few will have expected them to bounce straight back but most will have been happy to be in contention for promotion and the club seemingly on an even keel. Then Maurice Lindsay stepped down as Chairman to be replaced by Peter Ridsdale, the man who sprung to fame as the man who nearly took Leeds out of existence. He then cemented his reputation by taking charge of clubs already in trouble, which was much easier than taking them from the top to the pits. Seeing Ridsdale arrive at your club is a sign you're about to sell off the stable door (and the straw, water, saddle and stable) after the horse has bolted. His first act as Chairman was to sack Phil Brown. Well you would wouldn't you, with your team 5 points off the play offs.
But Ridsdale had a masterplan. Having seen Preston kicked around by Stevenage in a nil-nil draw at Deepdale Ridsdale saw the future. Within days Brown was out and he finally completed his plan last week by appointing Stevenage boss Graham Westley to bring his 'style' of 'football' to this proud footballing town. Unfortunately it means that the Os face a Westley side with the bruises having only just eased from their last encounter with him. One would assume that he hasn't yet brought his unique methods to Preston but his new players will be under no illusions as to how to impress their new gaffer. Pack your tin hats (and shin pads) boys.
Orient last visited Deepdale at the end of the 1992/3 season, which saw Preston relegated and the Os miss out on the play offs on goal difference under Peter Eustace. Two seasons later the teams swapped places, the Os to languish in the bottom division for many years, Preston to progress to the Championship where they stayed until last year. Having thumped the Lilywhites 3-1 at Brisbane Road they went one better at Deepdale, running out 4-1 winners. It was part of a storming end to the season where a number of big wins weren't enough to overhaul the deficit created during the previous two months. Orient fans were to get used to promising seasons foundering during the first few months of the year.
All eyes will be on the Os teamsheet to see if new signing Dean Leacock makes his first start in an Orient shirt. There are high expectations and no one is sure where he fits into Russell Slade's plans. Orient's immediate problem is the absence of Stephen Dawson and Leacock can play in a holding midfield role, which would allow Matthew Spring a more attacking role that he did well in last season. But Leacock hasn't been a part of the Derby first team squad at all this season and it remains to be seen what his fitness is like after one weeks training with the Os.
Preston will be without their twin threat of Iain Hume and Neil Mellor and should send out the same eleven that beat Wycombe last Saturday unless Westley has found an ex-boxer or rugby player languishing in the reserves. Just as an amusing aisde, the Preston club website preview picks out Leon McSweeney as the Os 'bad boy'. Ben Chorley will be missing as he completes his suspension for his sending off against Stevenage. But I suspect that Leacock won't be able to play a full 90 minutes and so will start in midfield rather than defence. Os wouldn't sniff at a draw but having bounced back from the Carlisle disaster with a slightly lacklustre draw last Saturday I fancy them to come flying out of the traps this weekend and spoil Westley's first game in the Preston hot seat.
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