Independent Leyton Orient Forum

Can Alibi actually get any worse, the guy can't even keep upright when running now, what on earth does Ross see in him

A nice guy with a smile who tries to improve and implement what the manager asks him to do, to act professionally at all times and to be a positive influence around the club and community.

I would have thought what I wrote would be what the manager sees in him.

Thor wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:13 pm A nice guy with a smile who tries to improve and implement what the manager asks him to do, to act professionally at all times and to be a positive influence around the club and community.

I would have thought what I wrote would be what the manager sees in him.

While I agree with that and he does give maximum effort and commitment but unfortunately what's required at this level is more than what he's got to give .

Thor wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:13 pm A nice guy with a smile who tries to improve and implement what the manager asks him to do, to act professionally at all times and to be a positive influence around the club and community.

I would have thought what I wrote would be what the manager sees in him.

That's great, but unfortunately he's a footballer!

banqo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:22 pm

Thor wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:13 pm A nice guy with a smile who tries to improve and implement what the manager asks him to do, to act professionally at all times and to be a positive influence around the club and community.

I would have thought what I wrote would be what the manager sees in him.

That's great, but unfortunately he's a footballer!

Well he masquerades as a footballer.

The conditions were against him. Should start the next 3

Prestige Worldwide wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:42 pm The conditions were against him. Should start the next 3

I'm sure Grimsby, Plymouth and Carlisle will be quaking in their boots!

Is the OP completely useless or completely pointless.
We know the players failings, I wanted him to come good, but even I've given up hope.
Just seems like another pathetic attempt to have a go at RE

Yesterday’s cameo sub appearance was as embarrassing a display as I’ve seen from an orient player ever.

Blowing out of his arse after 2 minutes, he was knackered and unable to chas down the centre halves. Got the ball down once and should have hit the corner and used his ‘strength’ to hold onto the ball and buy us a few seconds breather. Instead he miscontrols it, gives it away then fouls their bloke from behind.

When he was signed he was exactly the type of player we needed. We were getting bullied and the addition of a strong player like him was ideal. Unfortunately he was not that player. But it is easy to understand why he was brought in.

I see no issue with Ross giving the guy a chance. Why wouldn’t he? Make or break. The club are paying his wages so give him a chance. But he just has not taken it. Shame.

I’d play one of the yoof strikers or JMD up top behind Harold rather than give Alabi any more game time. He’s had his chance and proven not good enough for the National League, let alone League 2.

O my gawd wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 9:43 pm Is the OP completely useless or completely pointless.
We know the players failings, I wanted him to come good, but even I've given up hope.
Just seems like another pathetic attempt to have a go at RE

Not having a dig at Ross, however how hell did anyone at the club think he was any good. I was at the Concord Rangers game, after less than 10 minutes of play my mind was made up, get rid asap. How did our scouts Justin, Martin, maybe Ross think he was any good, he has got worse the longer we've had him.

Agree .918 however, Justin realised this and put him on the transfer list, he I am sure would have left him on Boco island until either someone came in for him, which they did or his contract was paid up and or expired.

Now I know RE answered the question of interference from above, I know he said he trained hard etc. But surely he can see that Alabi has not cut the mustard?

I myself am sad that it never worked out for him, and each time he steps on the hollowed turf i fully support him, but like Red said above after two runs he was knackered,

It’s a shame cos I do believe what others have said, that he’s a great guy, total professional, great around the club and community. However, his strengths are balls over the top, not a target man or hold up the ball merchant so he losses something from our style of play. I was hoping that he would “train on” but that never happened either.

Still I will support him if others deem he should play.

Couldn't believe how he was shot after 2 minutes yesterday. The one thing he at least was able to do before was chase down defenders and press a mistake. Couldn't even manage that on Saturday.

It’s ridiculous how weak he is for someone of his size. He should be bullying defenders.

Personally I would put him out for a month on loan a couple of divisions down, Isthmian Prem or the like, offer to pay 70% of his wage, there will be takers. He may suddenly find form and confidence and return a different prospect. Alternatively he could fail miserably which will put any last hope to bed. That's what I would do anyway, give it a last roll of the dice

Think he's had a good few rolls already, tbf. More rolls than goals, anyway.

Can only think it was a lazy decision to sign him. The catalyst was watching Mooney, who was too slow and weak for the National League. But he would still have been a better option than Alabi last year and would have scored more goals.

We should have seen from his Tranmere season that he wouldn't bring enough skills to be able to play a supporting role to another striker. As a focal point up front and given 46 games in a season and penalties, he could manage double figures in the National League, but that IMO is the ceiling of his ability.

A bad error both to sign him in the first place and take him off the transfer list and not replace him. IMO I don't think it was Justin's decision to sign him, he was dropped after 3 games and never recovered his place, and as early as November/December he was wanting another striker.

But I reckon the slate has to be wiped clean under the new manager and as such he should get a couple more last chances. In the likely event he doesn't take it, we should just move him on in January to someone like Ebbsfleet.

From what I've seen of him I have no reason to think that he could handle Isthmian Premier League football. I don't think the strikers down there are any worse than Alabi in terms of technique, fitness and football intelligence. He looks physically impressive and is presumably pretty good at doing sprints on the training ground but there's just not a footballer there and that follows you whatever level you play at.

Andy Gilson wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:13 am Personally I would put him out for a month on loan a couple of divisions down, Isthmian Prem or the like, offer to pay 70% of his wage, there will be takers. He may suddenly find form and confidence and return a different prospect. Alternatively he could fail miserably which will put any last hope to bed. That's what I would do anyway, give it a last roll of the dice

I think that is a sensible option and surprised it’s not been tried. I watched him and Judd doing some fitness running at Northampton and he was puffing after a couple of moderate runs. But then I do have concerns about our fitness in general.

I’ve always wanted Alabi to come good. I don’t expect too much finesse but do expect him to be physically strong, which he seems not.

I do struggle with some comments about the guy, after all it’s his career, his livelihood and whilst we all laugh at his cameos on a Saturday the guy is fighting for his career. He is a human being trying his best and deserves some respect.

Whatever anyone thinks of the player, he's our player, and as far as I'm concerned he gives100%.
So I just think it's somewhat disrespectful to head up a thread in the direction of Alabi as, "completely useless."

Just not realistic to loan him out now is it.

Wilkinson has a 3 game ban, Angol is out injured. We can't sign anyone else apart from a free transfer who might need some time to get fit.

Dennis has had some of the same laughable finishes as Alabi without attracting the same ridicule and shouldn't be considered as a striker.

Not really sure it is much of a confidence issue, more of an ability issue. But it is what it is now, and we are short of numbers up front.

What surprised me on Sat after his couple of closing down sprints was the reasoning RE gave as to why he was taken off the list. He’s trained hard, he’s fitter than before, good attitude.

If he’s trained hard you are not blowing out your arse after literally 5 mins. If your fitter than you were before then something is wrong. It says something that he was promoted to them team before MH who is way older than him and works his arse off the whole time he’s on the pitch and is not blowing steam out of his arse when he’s substituted. I’m not surprised MH had words with RE who has now praised him to be fair, it’s a shame he was not given an opportunity prior to this.

MH is actually looking better at this level than he did last year in my opinion and long may that continue.

I agree with the comments about Matt Harold. Works bloody hard and certainly doesn’t look out of place in L2. Wouldn’t surprise me if he got another year offer. As an impact player he is doing well.

Have only managed to get to two games so far this season – the last two home games – but what a difference Matt Harrold made from when he came on at half-time v Port Vale, obviously did well at Northampton, and played great again on Saturday.