Adam Chambers looks to 'do an Orient'

Adam Chambers helped put Leyton Orient back on the map – now he's ready to do the same for Walsall.

The midfielder is set for his debut against former club Orient tomorrow after five years in East London and won't hold back.

Chambers is charged with continuing Dean Smith's revolution, as the Saddlers boss bids to turn his team into play-off challengers following last term's brush with the drop.

Last season's struggles stemmed from a wretched start which saw Walsall win just two of their opening 12 games in all competitions.

Orient also suffered and were second bottom in October, but just one defeat in 20 games between November and March saw them finish just a point adrift of the League One play-offs.

Their form – and the Olympic Stadium row with West Ham – pushed the Os back into the spotlight, with Chambers heavily involved– making 33 outings.

And, on the eve of a new challenge, the Sandwell-born Albion youth product wants to harness the same power.

He said: "In League One, it's possible to get on and get yourself up the table quickly and I feel we can beat anyone in the division. There's no reason why we can't do the same as what Orient did last season.

"There wasn't any secret to what we did, we always went into the game thinking we were going to win.

"Confidence is a big thing in football and everyone was suddenly playing the best football and looking forward to the next game. That's what it was like at Orient.

"There are a lot of games coming thick and fast and if you get on a good run it does give you a good platform for the season.

"It can be difficult to bounce back so you've got to try to keep the momentum going. You look for little runs throughout the season and ride it as long as you can.

"Both clubs are surrounded by bigger teams in their areas and Walsall have been in higher divisions in the past but they are very similar sized clubs with expectations, fans bases and hopes.

"We have to get on a run. Confidence is high and everyone is positive.

"It can be difficult when you're on a losing run and confidence is low but that's not the case here."

The 30-year-old is still close to his former club – where he made 195 appearances and scored 10 goals – but admitted to being the spy in the Saddlers' camp this week, along with fellow ex-Orient man Ryan Jarvis.

He said: "We know a lot of the lads and how they play and we know a bit about them, a bit more than most of the teams I expect.

"I'll speak to a few of them when I see them at the ground. I'm still close to the staff, there was a good bunch of lads there and I've kept in touch with them throughout the summer.

"It's always enjoyable playing against people you know because you have a bit more banter and there's more of a competitive edge."

For now, the future is more than just one game for Chambers – who signed a 12-month deal with a year's option last month – and so valued is the midfielder he has skippered the Saddlers in pre-season.

While Smith, who worked with Chambers at Brisbane Road while assistant manager, hasn't appointed an official deputy to skipper Andy Butler, his new midfielder remains a de facto leader – whether he has an armband or not.

Chambers said: "It's been nice but it won't change the way I play. I'll give my all whether I'm wearing the armband or not. I'm not really someone who worries about that sort of stuff.

"The gaffer knows my character and knows what I'm about. If I was going into a club where I didn't know the manager so well I doubt I would be given the armband.

"For me, it's just a case of playing football and playing as best I can."

Chambers will clash with former Banks's loanee Marc Laird, who should shake off a minor thigh strain, while striker Jamie Cureton has also joined Orient from Exeter.

But manager Russell Slade has a growing injury list with captain Stephen Dawson, goalkeeper Jamie Jones and defender Terrell Forbes all out of tomorrow's clash.

New striker David Mooney also has a hamstring problem.