Football Season Guide

Leyton Orient

In


Gary Sawyer(def, Bristol Rovers), Anthony Griffith(mid, Port Vale), Ryan Allsopp(gk, Hottur), Mathieu Baudry(def, Bournemouth), Michael Symes(att, Bournemouth), Nathan Clarke(def, Huddersfield), Lloyd James(mid, Colchester), Ryan Brunt(att, Stoke - loan)

Out


Jonathan Tehoue(att, released), Jamie Smith(mid, Dover), Mike Cestor(def, Woking), Matt Spring(mid, Wycombe), George Porter(mid, Burnley), Dean Leacock(def, Notts County), Jamie Cureton(att, Exeter), Terrel Forbes(def, Chesterfield), Syam Ben Youssef(def, Astra Ploiesti)

To say that the 2011/12 season was a huge disappointment for Leyton Orient would've been a huge understatement, as a much stronger expression is needed to portray the gap between the O's expectations and potential and their actual results last season. The club's board showed great patience to stick with Russel Slade despite the season being as poor as it was, and the O's boss spent the summer looking to reshape his side. Niine players left the club and, with the exception of the promising George Porter, all were players Slade wanted to ship out, while eight new players were signed, most of who are proven at League One level. The likes of Michael Symes and Ryan Brunt were signed to strengthen the attack, and if Brunt can reproduce the form he was showing for Tranmere last season, Slade will have a very useful player on his hands; while Symes' experience and physical frame are qualities that are always handy to have atthis level. The second major concern for the O's last season was the defence, and Slade didn't fail to address this, making the signings of full-back Gary Sawyer and central defenders Mathieu Baudry and Nathan Clarke: given the way the O's back four performed last season, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if all three new defenders became instant starters. The midfield was never really a problem, but Lloyd James and Anthony Griffith will provide their boss with new options and it does seem that the O's are well equipped for the upcoming campaign.

Target


Russel Slade probably had a top six finish in mind when doing his summer business, but to say that their chances of achieving this are good after the shipwreck that their last season was is a bit too optimistic. However, there is little doubt that a substantial improvement on last season's results will be needed for Slade to stay in the job.