|
"Two weeks ago everything was rosy in the garden after the Hereford game, but we've followed that up with poor back-to-back performances. We need to put those to bed because it wasn't just the fact we lost both of them, but our performances weren't anywhere near good enough.
"I wasn't happy after the Peterborough game and we've gone back to basics this week. Both sides of our game have not been right - in terms of defending properly and passing the ball with a purpose. We've tried to put the principles of playing with a tempo back into them this week and the training has been really good.
"Carlisle are top of the league after two games for what that's worth, but you'd rather be up there than at the bottom. I think they are going to be a top six side again this year and two wins out of two is testament to that. John Ward will have them passing the ball with a purpose - just as I ask my team to do - and we have to match that to get our own game going to get the three points.
"Tam (Tamika Mkandawire) is out, but there's good news for him because the scan shows that it is a new injury, and not one connected with the hernia. It will take a fortnight to repair his muscle tear. Alton Thelwell and Adam Chambers didn't train on Thursday, but they will be available for Saturday, but Solomon Shields won't make it."
Meanwhile O's midfielder Adam Chambers told the Waltham Forest Guardian :
"After a good start to the season we were looking to go on a similar run to the one we had last year. But that hasn't happened and, against Ipswich and at Peterborough, the most disappointing thing is that we've struggled to create chances and not got into either game really. I'm sure that they will be the main things we will be looking to put right on Saturday against Carlisle.
"Of course that isn't going to be an easy game for us, because they are always a very decent side who have made an excellent start to the season. But we need to beat teams like this especially at home, because we do need to improve on our form at our place from last season. It cost us at times last year, and we will certainly be aiming to be do better at Brisbane Road this time so hopefully we can build on the Hereford win on Saturday."
As Ling has alluded to in his comments, centre-half Tamika Mkandawire (groin) and midfielder Solomon Shields (ankle) are sidelined for the O's, but Adam Chambers and centre-half Alton Thelwell have recovered from their respective back and knee problems.
In an effort to shore up their defence Orient have today signed 18-year old first-year professional Luke Ashworth from Premier League Wigan. Ashworth, who was the youth team player of the season for the Latics last year, linking up with the O's on loan for a month.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Mike Jones from Chester, and he will be assisted down the lines by Steve Creighton from Reading in Berkshire and Wayne Barratt from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire. Meanwhile the fourth official is Simon Hooper from Swindon in Wiltshire.