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BLOG: How I thought the Orient players shaped up this season
In his latest fan blog, Pandamonium editor and O's supporter Mat Roper takes a second in a three part look into Orient's season.
So then, the season is well and truly over and Lingy has already started the clear out. Is it just me, or is our manager one of only a very few handful that seems to do almost exactly what the fans want or are thinking. Usually at this stage of the season you can well predict a few that will go, but the managements approach to bringing in and getting rid of players seem to come from page one of "I'll do the sensible thing and also keep the fans happy." Now, I am not, for one minute suggesting that Ling goes on what the fans think, but he doesn't seem to annoy that many supporters like his predecessors by bringing in too many idiots and then keeping them for a good few years when it's plainly obvious it ain't working.
Take the case of Fortune and Melligan. He has effectively admitted that he thought they would be good additions to the squad, but for whatever reason he was wrong and they need to be shipped out at the earliest opportunity - and that's what he has done.
In conjunction with this summary I will now go through our squad and review the season.
NELSON - Came with promise, achieved little in terms of aptitude and made several very silly mistakes which could have been hugely costly had we performed just 30per cent better in the second half of the season. Obviously some problems at the end of the season and has gone - best for everyone concerned.
MORRIS - Build the team around him. Proved why he was a top keeper and had bags of ambition and quality a few years back. His distribution has also got better, and some os the stops he made this season were simply world class.With the right coach at the club, Morris can be a massive asset next year if he signs his new deal.
PURCHES - Came on a bit in the second half of the campaign which was encouraging. Second season will be the big test. Looks quite solid, but for me, needs to perform better next year and really assert himself as a team captain as well.
THELWELL - My worry would be his injury(ies). Started to come good and looks very solid, but sometimes has a touch of the Gary Bellamy's and can be prone to leaving his team-mates very short at the back. Again, this season will be a big test if again he signs his new deal.
SAAH - Personally my first choice as a centre back. Still coming on, but still has a lot to give. Very much getting to grips with first team football now and can be a big asset if everything goes right.
MKANDAWIRE - Second half of the season was average, but he easily proved what a quality signing he is. Has great stature at the back, cool under pressure, quick, tidy, reads the game brilliantly and never gives up. Got him on a free - what a bargain!
FORTUNE - Bye, bye!
PALMER - Suffered with the problems of trying to fill Lockwood's boots. Got caught out too many times and hasn't yet made transition from youth to first team. Still something to prove and time will tell.
DANIELS - Looked to have that touch of class, then started to make silly mistakes. Big shame, because obviously has technical ability. Sometimes seemed lazy' and din't want to asset himself in that position. All in all, bit of a let down.
TERRY - Hands up who thought this bloke would be the also ran of the team? Started at right back, helping cover Purches injury and did brilliantly. Proved he was well worth taking on, despite injury and although, like many, he was poor in the second half of the year he did a good job.
DEMETRIOU - Superb! Carried on with his transition from youth teamer to first team regular. Looked like physical side of his game would be a problem and it wasn't. Passionate, tricky, got stuck in when the going got tough, wound up opponents, created several good goals and still has years left in the tank. A real prospect.
THORNTON - Flattered to deceive a little, but probably needed to play more central and also struggled with injuries. Proved easily that he can do it when he wants to, but the down side was that was the reputation he came with. With this guy there will be no in between. He'll either be a world beater next season or a waste of space.
CORDEN - Failed to make any impact, which bearing in mind his ability was a big shame.
MELLIGAN - Always did well against the O's so came with a bit of promise. In the end quite poor. Did not add much in terms of attacking ability. Did do more than Tudor in a defensive sense, but that was plainly not enough.
BOYD - I like him. Can look lazy but then pops up with a goal. Good feet and helps out well in the first third of the field when the O's are attacking. Passes well most of the time and knows where the goal is. 17 goals in a season that in the end didn't do much and that is a good thing to build on for 08/09.
GRAY - Strange player. Bit like Jabo. One minute looked quite good, then next appeared very average. Obviously has the pace to cause problems and strength to match, but seems to have only a few strings to the bow. Another with a lot to prove in his second year.
IBEHRE - One minute a world beater, the next a very poor player. Got stronger in terms of physicality this season and towards the end of the season looked like he might have got himself another contract. Probably had enough chances, but actually sad to see him go.
ECHANOMI - Failed to make any impact and probably needed to go. Lets hope it don't come back to bite us!
8:44am Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Andrew Hatton on 5:09pm Fri 16 May 08
A fair review. We hardly saw ECHANOMI and perhaps like Simon Downer before him he was injured at a crucial time in his career and has not yet got his progress going again.
I agree with the remark about not coming back to bite us. I think O's are lucky not to have been seriously bitten by Aaron McClean who did not make the grade at Brissie but has been an absolute star at Peterborough after a few non league seasons.
A fair review. We hardly saw ECHANOMI and perhaps like Simon Downer before him he was injured at a crucial time in his career and has not yet got his progress going again.
I agree with the remark about not coming back to bite us. I think O's are lucky not to have been seriously bitten by Aaron McClean who did not make the grade at Brissie but has been an absolute star at Peterborough after a few non league seasons.
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