The O’s hierarchy must recruit better players in the next transfer window…
Orient had a strong start to the season, but their mistakes during the transfer window caused them to fall out of the League One play-off picture.
The team’s biggest problems were a lack of options for scoring in the last third and a deficiency in defensive depth.
Supporters are upset and hoping for better outcomes in the upcoming season due to the club’s decision to bring in inexperienced players rather than proven goal scorers.
Leyton Orient may have lost out on a League One play-off spot as a result of errors they committed during the January transfer window.
Orient’s supporters were dreaming of a top six finish after the team enjoyed an incredible run of form after the new year, but around Christmas, the team was more focused on staying in the relegation zone.
In a few weeks, the O’s defeated Port Vale, Carlisle United, Portsmouth, Cambridge United, and Bolton Wanderers, rising as high as ninth in the standings.
But Rhie Wellen’ics team has been struggling lately, and as a result, they are no longer in the running for the play-offs, and the five games left are essentially meaningless.
Leyton Orient’s first transfer mistake
The first of Orient’s errors occurred in the center-back position, which had been a strength during the season’s first half.
With Dan Happe, Omar Beckles, Brandon Cooper, Ed Turns, and Adam Thompson under contract, the O’s entered the January window.
But strangely, Turns (who rejoined Crewe Alexandra after returning to parent club Brighton) and Thompson (who loaned out to Barnet) were also waived off, leaving Wellens with just three options for centre defenders as the crucial later parts of the season approached.
This turned out to be an error in judgement almost immediately, as Wellens was forced to start Beckles and Cooper when Happe sustained an injury.
Since then, the two have given up three goals to Burton Albion, two to Peterborough United, and two to Northampton Town, but they haven’t even been near to being benched.
It should be mentioned that Jack Simpson, a former defender for Rangers and Bournemouth, signed a free transfer in February, but he has missed all six of the team’s games due to suspension.
Leyton Orient’s second transfer mistake
The main difficulty facing Orient has been their lack of creativity in the latter third, even with problems with the backline.
To be fair, the board is not solely to blame for this, as Wellens’ team has struggled with several injuries this season.
After suffering a patella tendon injury in October, former Birmingham City winger Jordan Graham was sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Only 12 league games have Dan Agyei, who was hired to replace Paul Smyth, appeared, with seven of those appearances coming as a substitute.
Additionally, Theo Archibald required surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament a few weeks after the January transfer window closed.
Although, had the O’s made the right additions over the winter, these injuries would not have been felt so hard.
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The young players Daniel Adu-Adjei and hayon EdwaKrds who were signed on loan from Bournemouth and Arsenal, respectively, have not performed up to expectations.
With Agyei having trouble staying healthy and Joe Piggott, their summer acquisition, providing little to nothing, the O’s wanted to bring in a goal scorer with experience.
Rather, they gambled on two young players who had not previously participated in senior league competition and neither of them has scored a goal for the team.
The squad has only scored three goals in their last seven games, which has ultimately cost them a shot at promotion.
There is a lot of optimism for 2024–2025 after an outstanding first season back in League One, but maintaining their development will require a club-wide effort.
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