Swansea City v Leyton Orient – New Place

When I was a kid I often went along to Brisbane Road to watch Orient play. Those were the days of the late Laurie Cunningham and then not too long afterwards John Chiedozie - two great wingers. If you lived in London at that time Orient were everyone’s second favourite team and I must say it was always a very friendly club.

This will be the first time I have seen a Swansea home game though and I’m looking forward to visiting the Liberty Stadium as I’ve heard good things about from other reporters. Apparently the pre-match food in particular is exceptional ... and regular readers know how very important that is to me :-)

As far as the game is concerned, on paper it should be a shoe-in for the Swans and yet the great thing about football is that it will be played on grass and in a one-off game anything could happen.

Orient may well be in the bottom half of the League One table, but this side are no mugs. They have lost only one of their last twelve games (against league leaders Brighton) and recently thrashed promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday 4-0. Despite their league position, they are also only seven points off a play-off place.

Of course the Swans are going great guns themselves in the Championship and are fourth in the table, but level on points with local rivals Cardiff who currently sit second.

Let’s face it though, only the most blinkered Swansea or Orient fan expects their team to be walking out at Wembley in May and so this game is all about setting themselves up for possible money spinning 5th round draw. I’m sure that both clubs would fancy a day out to Old Trafford and I’m certain the directors would. A win also helps boost confidence as well and so it’s by no means a meaningless game.

Os boss Russell Slade is looking forward to pitting his wits against opposite number Brendan Rodgers and said:

“It’s a big game for us and we’re proud to be in the 4th round of the FA Cup with a chance of getting into the 5th round.

Everyone I’ve spoken to has told me what a good side Swansea are, especially at home, and so we know it’s going to be tough and we’re under no illusions. The whole team defended well at Norwich and we’re going to have to do that again on Saturday.”

Rodgers has said:

"We had a terrific performance and result against Colchester in the last round and we want more of the same," Rodgers said. We will have the core of players who normally play with maybe one or two adaptations, and we will give Leyton Orient the respect we give to every side."