Retained list

[LOFC1948]

I don't think we should have offered Harrold a new deal. Hopefully we can shift Alabi and bring in a new striker.

I like Dayton, not sure he'll be a regular starter next season even if he gets back fit.

Agreed. Try and get Paul McCallum and one other new striker to replace Alabi.

Yep - this.

[whittle81]

With Lawless and Lee leaving, it really gives Gorman the chance to show JE he is good enough.

[LOFC1948]

Has Brophy done enough?

Our only player with real pace - always useful . Unless we can find a better pace man.

[LOFC1948]

With Lawless and Lee leaving, it really gives Gorman the chance show JE he is good enough.

True - I would like to see Gorman get proper game time and we will see if he’s up to it. Remember Marquis- he got little pitch time and got a rough ride from the stands - look what happened when he got used properly last season.

[Thor]

Janata, Ogie, Sweeney, Shabani, Sotiriou, Kyprianou I reckon would be part of pre-season for sure and appear in the first-team photo, so technically could be correct.

Think we should be looking at loaning most of them out next year and if we've nothing to play for at the back end of next season then start blooding a few.

Sounds like the 6 then.

Did you read what Coulsen said about Sotiriou in the programme? He said the boy has talent and will earn a good living from the game, hopefully with us.

[Adz]

Can't argue too much with the list. Harold and Dayton a coin toss, but JE knows both them and this league very well, and obviously believes they can do a job.

From the youth, I Expect Sweeney or Ogie to get a bit of game time, the rest I suspect will be out on long loans, maybe Sargent too.

[slacker]

No real shocks here, although I think we’ll look back and think we needed to be a bit more ruthless with the ageing/bit-parters. Depending on length of contract issued (and money, of course) I guess it’s possible those being offered new terms might choose elsewhere, but I’d be surprised if another Ebou Adams situation arises this summer.

[RicketyCricket]

Agreed, it is quite possible that players such as Harrold and perhaps Dayton will look to go elsewhere on a 2-year deal if we've only offered 1. I would be surprised any of the others offered a new contract reject it.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

No real shocks here, although I think we’ll look back and think we needed to be a bit more ruthless with the ageing/bit-parters. Depending on length of contract issued (and money, of course) I guess it’s possible those being offered new terms might choose elsewhere, but I’d be surprised if another Ebou Adams situation arises this summer.

But we need bit parters.

Someone like Dayton, brought in to be a first choice star winger, is now ideal as cover.

[Top of the JES]

It's possible that Dayton has been offered a 6 month contract and given the chance to prove his fitness before it's extended until next June. I think Harrold will relish a chance to play in the EFL again, I can't think he would get a two year deal anywhere else but who knows?

I don't think we will sign another keeper, Brill will play next season with Sarge on the bench and Janata out on loan, If Brill is injured we can always bring in a senior keeper. Long term (2-3 years) I think there is every chance Arthur will be our first choice keeper if he stays, he is a brilliant shot stopper but needs to build himself up physically before he'll be ready.

Widdowson I suspect will definitely have offers from elsewhere he's proved to be an excellent full back. I hope Jobi will be back for another year but I believe he has his badges and if someone offered him a player coaching roll he might just be tempted. Turley will also probably get offers from elsewhere and if it gives him the chance for regular first team football again he might take it because he is likely to be a bit part player next season.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

6 months would be a bit snidey.

Pretty sure he'll have been given another year. I think on balance he's worth it but also need to consider the damage not offering him an extension would have done to the morale of the squad as a whole.

[Redcard]

Ogie is a beast and will be brilliant. Sweeney reminds me so much of Bobby Foster a classy full back from yesteryear who never wasted a pass, and will be very good once he has beefed up physically. It’s midfield that we need strengthening , and we desperately need an adams / vincelot type who can win the ball , and a dynamic box to box player in the mound of Dawson/ castle. Someone who can hit the target from outside the box would help. I thought that the best performance against us was that little pony tailed wide midfielder ( was it Wrexham), who’s name escapes me , and would love him here.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

Ogie is a beast and will be brilliant. Sweeney reminds me so much of Bobby Foster a classy full back from yesteryear who never wasted a pass, and will be very good once he has beefed up physically. It’s midfield that we need strengthening , and we desperately need an adams / vincelot type who can win the ball , and a dynamic box to box player in the mound of Dawson/ castle. Someone who can hit the target from outside the box would help. I thought that the best performance against us was that little pony tailed wide midfielder ( was it Wrexham), who’s name escapes me , and would love him here.

Agreed with the assessment of what we need in midfield. There were plenty of occasions we were dominated in midfield so I'm sure there are plenty of players we could look at taking up with us to fill both those roles.

The top goalscorers list only highlights this weakness - Macca and Koroma in double figures, then JC in 3rd with 7 and Marvin in 4th with 6. The lack of goals from midfield needs sorting.

[Orient2001]

Going to be a new contract announced at 12:15, I’m guessing JW

[CreamofSumYungGai]

Was Justin lying then?

What are you going on about? The retained players know who they are, the players being let go know who they are, the players being offered deals know they are wanted and are in negotiations with the club. So I standby what JE said that it’s all done and it has, the club have complied with all their legal responsibilities in respect to informing players.

If I expand upon my point, do you promise you won’t threaten to duff me up again?

Come on fella, please let me explain.

[Top of the JES]

6 months would be a bit snidey.

Pretty sure he'll have been given another year. I think on balance he's worth it but also need to consider the damage not offering him an extension would have done to the morale of the squad as a whole.

Done quite frequently when players are recovering from serious injury, given that he had only come back from another bad injury it would be understandable to give him 6 months assess his fitness and go from there.

[bobo66]

With Bonne struggling a bit we need a midfielder who can contribute with 7 or 8 goals a season. After Bonne and Koroma, I think Coulson and Ekpiteta were our next highest scorers. The number of goals from the midfield were nowhere near good enough. However well Clay played he does not like he will ever score. McAnuff can score mainly long shots and Brophy doesn't get many. There is nobody in the midfield who runs into the box and picks up rebounds and pulled back crosses. I'd be interested to know how many goals we scored last season from corners and other set pieces, I bet it wasn't many.

[Sid Bishop]

With Bonne struggling a bit we need a midfielder who can contribute with 7 or 8 goals a season. After Bonne and Koroma, I think Coulson and Ekpiteta were our next highest scorers. The number of goals from the midfield were nowhere near good enough. However well Clay played he does not like he will ever score. McAnuff can score mainly long shots and Brophy doesn't get many. There is nobody in the midfield who runs into the box and picks up rebounds and pulled back crosses. I'd be interested to know how many goals we scored last season from corners and other set pieces, I bet it wasn't many.

JMD looks like a talent and he has already scored a few goals from free kicks and general play.

[Sid Bishop]

Ogie is a beast and will be brilliant. Sweeney reminds me so much of Bobby Foster a classy full back from yesteryear who never wasted a pass, and will be very good once he has beefed up physically. It’s midfield that we need strengthening , and we desperately need an adams / vincelot type who can win the ball , and a dynamic box to box player in the mound of Dawson/ castle. Someone who can hit the target from outside the box would help. I thought that the best performance against us was that little pony tailed wide midfielder ( was it Wrexham), who’s name escapes me , and would love him here.

''Sweeney reminds me so much of Bobby Foster a classy full back from yesteryear who never wasted a pass''
I think you could be thinking of ''Bobby Fisher'' I cant recall a fullback called ''Bobby Foster '' ?

[Ornchurch]

''Sweeney reminds me so much of Bobby Foster a classy full back from yesteryear who never wasted a pass''
I think you could be thinking of ''Bobby Fisher'' I cant recall a fullback called ''Bobby Foster '' ?

Bobby Foster? Did he play alongside Colin Fisher at the back?

[CreamofSumYungGai]

With Bonne struggling a bit we need a midfielder who can contribute with 7 or 8 goals a season. After Bonne and Koroma, I think Coulson and Ekpiteta were our next highest scorers. The number of goals from the midfield were nowhere near good enough. However well Clay played he does not like he will ever score. McAnuff can score mainly long shots and Brophy doesn't get many. There is nobody in the midfield who runs into the box and picks up rebounds and pulled back crosses. I'd be interested to know how many goals we scored last season from corners and other set pieces, I bet it wasn't many.

You contradict yourself mate - we do rely on set pieces a fair bit, hence Coulson and Marvin being 3rd and 4th top scorers.

Agreed with your initial assessment about the lack of goals from midfield being a problem next season if don't address it.

[Redcard]

Of course I meant Bobby Fisher . Think it was the result of that predictive wordie thing. He was mark lazarus nephew.

[FargO]

Mark Lazarus - built like a boxer, had a strange style of running with raised elbows and a rocket of a shot. My first Orient hero.

[Thor]

With Bonne struggling a bit we need a midfielder who can contribute with 7 or 8 goals a season. After Bonne and Koroma, I think Coulson and Ekpiteta were our next highest scorers. The number of goals from the midfield were nowhere near good enough. However well Clay played he does not like he will ever score. McAnuff can score mainly long shots and Brophy doesn't get many. There is nobody in the midfield who runs into the box and picks up rebounds and pulled back crosses. I'd be interested to know how many goals we scored last season from corners and other set pieces, I bet it wasn't many.

JMD looks like a talent and he has already scored a few goals from free kicks and general play.

Agreed, plus with a proper pre season with us, his understanding of what JE wants, add a bit of upper body muscle and I'd say he's capable of 10-15 goals next season.

[Sid Bishop]

Mark Lazarus - built like a boxer, had a strange style of running with raised elbows and a rocket of a shot. My first Orient hero.

I thought he looked well past it when he came back to the Os in 1969, but once he got his fitness back, he became a hero of mine also. Two ''Oldies'' on each wing who were complete opposites in style and personality, Mark was a rough diamond, not the type of man who would mess with !! He played on the right wing, all passion, fire and fury and YES, a rocket of a shot !! Peter Brabrook on the left wing was a real Mr Smooth, always looked immaculate when on the pitch, every hair in place !! Peter had lost a bit of pace since his peak, but all style and class ( ex England International ) . When I think of all the excuses for Gorman and Simpson not having enough time to get really match fit, despite all the time spent training, well Mark Lazarus as I recall, came to us looking really unfit and past it ( he was 31 years old at the time, but within 4 or 5 matches, he was up, running and flying !! Remember the famous
Celebrations of running all round the pitch when he scored, what a LEGEND !!

Mark WAS a boxer when young as were his Brothers, see Wikipedia below !!

Another bit of information here ''After he moved back to Orient for a fee of £8,000, in October 1969''
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Lazarus
Lazarus, who was Jewish, was born on 5 December 1938 in Stepney, London. He said, of growing up in a Jewish family, "There was no antisemitism in the East End – that came later when we moved to Chadwell Heath, in Essex, when I was six. We were the only Jewish family in the area and I had fights every day on the way to school." Two of his brothers were boxers, one of whom, Lew Lazar, fought for the British title at welterweight and middleweight. He initially followed his brothers into boxing, having fought a few amateur fights. At the request of his father Isaac, he became an apprentice upholsterer in order to ensure that he had a trade once any potential sporting career ended.''