Independent Leyton Orient Forum

BIGRON wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2019 3:12 pm I reckon we've signed all we are going to .

Then I think we're going to struggle this season. IMO, we're still three players short for our squad.

Red_Army wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2019 2:26 pm

CreamofSumYungGai wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2019 2:21 pm

aylesburyos wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2019 1:40 pm Squad looks weak in attack & midfield

Exactly the same as last season.

If we're going with 3 CBs, then only having 4 in the squad means we're also light there.

We have one spare, as well as Widdowson who can play there, with Ogie and Kyprianou as well. Brophy and Sweeney provide lwb cover.

Having five senior central defenders would be a lot.

I can't see us signing another central defender.

2 senior players for every position was Justin’s mantra.

3 CB in the team, you can’t have just 4 on the books. Just one injury or suspension and we have no cover. I agree that 6 isn’t necessary but you need 5.

Unless we’re reverting to just 4 at the back, of course?

Get the feeling that we don't know the formation as yet for sure and it will evolve as the pre-season goes on.

So far I think we've seen 5-3-2 and 4-3-3. If Ogie is playing there, then that seems good enough for fifth choice if we might change formations in the season.

I think we're seeing signs of Ross being his own man. For instance, it is fair to say that Justin didn't see Alabi being involved. But we seem to have a strange way of telling him he isn't wanted.

I like the idea of developing youngsters, that option has worked well for us. But not as part of the two players in every position mantra. We will lose players due to knocks and suspensions and players form will occasionally suffer. We need solid backup and another CM seems obvious.

We are also a bit short up front, not height but numbers. Alabi and Harold are bit part players. We are hoping Alabi has a massive improvement in form.

With seven on the bench we should have adequate alternatives in games and the chance to give youngsters game time when the situation allows.

RE said another couple of new faces so the squad will be boosted before KO.

eagwgw wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 7:43 am Get the feeling that we don't know the formation as yet for sure and it will evolve as the pre-season goes on.

So far I think we've seen 5-3-2 and 4-3-3. If Ogie is playing there, then that seems good enough for fifth choice if we might change formations in the season.

I think we're seeing signs of Ross being his own man. For instance, it is fair to say that Justin didn't see Alabi being involved. But we seem to have a strange way of telling him he isn't wanted.

I suspect the reason Alabi is still here is that nobody else has come in for him therefore we have to pay his wages. That being the case may as well play him and with him eating into the budget not too much left to replace him and pay him for doing nothing.

Ross may want him out and Ling may be telling him the economics and to get on with it. Could just as easily be ling calling the shots as Ross being his own man. Impossible to tell.

Anyway, the outwards appearance will always suggest Ross is his own man. The club cannot project it any other way, not fair. But behind the scenes? Lings influence will be quite strong, Ross will be seeking advice quite a lot, right too. Ling will give it whether Ross likes it or not.

1) someone on here said that Alabi has turned down 4 clubs, you can’t technically force someone out under contract without paying him off
2) whilst Ling will be there for a sounding board he doesn’t come across as a person who will interfere in team matters without being asked first
3) I think we will go with 3-5-2 as I don’t see how you can tell any of the 3 main centre halves sorry your benched, I don’t think that works

We have to go 3-5-2 because our defence is the only strong point of the team. If we don’t buy a couple more quality players we are weaker than last season in a higher division. That’s a fact.

Beradogs wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:58 am We have to go 3-5-2 because our defence is the only strong point of the team. If we don’t buy a couple more quality players we are weaker than last season in a higher division. That’s a fact.

Agreed.

As long as Marvin, Coulson and Happe are all fit and in form, they have to start. So has to be 3-5-2.

You're right, we would be weaker than last season without 2 or 3 more signings which is why I'm sure more players will be brought in.

RedDwarf 1881 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 9:17 am You're right, we would be weaker than last season without 2 or 3 more signings which is why I'm sure more players will be brought in.

I do not feel we are currently substantially weaker. We should not underrate the likes of Ogie, Sweeney and Sotiriou added to the squad.

So much negativity and we have not even got to start of the season.

I also dont feel we are weaker than this time last year
Around mid July 2018, we were all wondering if Bonne was a one hit wonder, and if he could reproduce the 25 goals he had got the previous season.

Koroma was only thought of as back up. We had brought Alabi in to partner Bonne up front, and josh wasnt expected to start games because of this........no one knew Alabi was hopeless, and that gave Koroma his chance

We were short on numbers in midfield, as Gorman was injured and 6 to 8 weeks away from being fit.

Today we have Wilko and Angol, two very decent strikers at our level, plus JMD, who i believe is a class or two above every other player in our league. Wouldnt suprise me if he had 25 assists, as well as scoring a good few himself

I also believe we have four really promising youngsters in the squad in Hector, Ruel, Jaden & Shadrach, who if given a chance will all make their mark

We perhaps need a right winger, as there's some doubt over Daytons fitness and recovery

Overall, I think we look in pretty fine shape for the coming season.

Who is the mystery big signing then?

Still's Carenae wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:08 am So much negativity and we have not even got to start of the season.

Only two go down anyway.What's not to like?

I always think you have to look at signings over two windows rather than one.

If you take last summer for example, it looks like we did not do much business. But if you include signings made during the second half of the previous season, it looks different. We signed Brophy, Coulson and Ekpiteta who were all first teamers the next season.

I think you have to look at it similarly this season. We signed JMD and Turley in January last season. Add those two to Wright, Wilkinson and Angol and that's good business in my opinion.

Prestige Worldwide wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:18 am Who is the mystery big signing then?

What big mystery signing? Please enlighten us further.

Dalby will come in, if we can offload Alabi

which is, as others have observed, not easy as other clubs won't be offering him equal or better terms than his current contract

Thor wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:35 am

Prestige Worldwide wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:18 am Who is the mystery big signing then?

What big mystery signing? Please enlighten us further.

Wumming.

Although I think we might bring in one or maybe two more not likely going to be big marquee signings. I believe we are working hard to bring in a wide player. Sometimes you have to wait for situations at other clubs to resolve themselves before players become available.

Red_Army wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:33 am I always think you have to look at signings over two windows rather than one.

If you take last summer for example, it looks like we did not do much business. But if you include signings made during the second half of the previous season, it looks different. We signed Brophy, Coulson and Ekpiteta who were all first teamers the next season.

I think you have to look at it similarly this season. We signed JMD and Turley in January last season. Add those two to Wright, Wilkinson and Angol and that's good business in my opinion.

Good Post.

The squad is being gradually strengthened by bringing in the right players as they become available, I like the way we have gone about things in the last two seasons, but also the likes of Sotiriou, Ogie, Kyprianou and Shabani are going to very good players and I think will all get some game time this season.

Top of the West. wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 11:43 am

Thor wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:35 am

Prestige Worldwide wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:18 am Who is the mystery big signing then?

What big mystery signing? Please enlighten us further.

Wumming.

Although I think we might bring in one or maybe two more not likely going to be big marquee signings. I believe we are working hard to bring in a wide player. Sometimes you have to wait for situations at other clubs to resolve themselves before players become available.

Rumours on twitter from people in marbs.

Ok if that's true drop the link or share what you've read please.

Search yourself, it's not difficult.

Thor wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 12:24 pm Ok if that's true drop the link or share what you've read please.

Not worth it Thor - same people who started the Myles Judd to Coventry/Portsmouth Rumour in all probability.

Probably right TOTW

PW I'm not on twitter, thanks for your support.