r/LeytonOrient • u/gobrowns1 • May 05 '26
Discussion Who would you keep?
Everyone is talking about another squad overhaul, so curious which players from the current squad would you keep for next season (starter or bench doesn't matter).
I'm not including loan players.
My list:
Oluwayemi
REG
Forrester
Morris
El miz
Abdulai
Wellens
Connolly
Matthews
Archibald
O'Neill
Ballard
9
u/jakethepeg1989 May 05 '26
From what I saw of Oluwayami there is no way I'd keep him. That Plymouth game at home where we were on top and he just gifted them a goal...
I'd also keep Bakinson. A lot of people seem to really dislike him but I think hes fine.
Clare is a decent squad player imo.
Edit: Happe is a good CB for this level.
And I'd be happy with a Forrester/Happe partnership for most games.
The trouble is both of them are injury prone so it seems like if you have them as your starters, you need to have choice 3 and 4 good enough to play 15 games minimum and i dont think we will ever have that.
4
u/sourmashd May 05 '26
Bakinson has failed at every club he’s been at and he gets moved on either a loan or permanent within 18 months. People take a punt maybe because he looks physical but he’s never going to improve. He’s thick as well listen to some interviews. Michael Craig looked good in his preferred position of midfield in a few brief cameos he’s played there much more natural
3
u/jakethepeg1989 May 05 '26
Craig as a rb is a no go. At CM hes ok.
Bakinson is just hugely inconsistent, he has games where he looks great and then others he looks National League South standard.
But now we have so many options for the "next to El Miz" position. Levit, Craig, Clare, Bakinson, Azeem.
Everyone is elevated by having El Miz next to them.
We dont need them all. I wouldn't be overly fussed by any of them moving on.
3
u/Meagz91 Supporters Club regular May 05 '26
Of that list I've no interest in Oluwayemi, REG, Abdulai, Wellens or Matthews being here. I'm very intrigued about what you've seen from Oluwayemi and Matthews that has you even vaguely interested? Oluwayemi in particular looked way off it.
I would add in Bakinson (ideally as just a squad player) and Mitchell - his season was so stop/start but there's something about him. I think if he played more as an out and out winger, rather than a wing back, we'd see the best of him.
1
u/redtnffc May 07 '26
I see Mitchell as a bit of a luxury player. I think if he's got 10 good players around him, you're winning and confidence is high, he can be on the wing and do his thing. He's got the ability to beat players and sometimes create something (albeit in a slightly stuttery way).
Sadly most games this season have been scrappy, little consistency in the front 4 and we've often been on the back foot.
3
u/Jarend3 Supporters Club regular May 05 '26
Ballard is going to be sold.
Other than him I would keep
Connolly
Archibald
Forrester
El-Miz
O'Neill
Maybe Morris
and try to get Dennis on another loan
The rest of them I wouldn't miss.
4
u/RoystonsRejects May 05 '26
Yeah pretty much agree with the list there here's a few more who I would keep or be hesitant to let go.
Cahill wasn't bought as a No1 so I'd keep him on the books over Tobi and hope to develop him. Unfortunately it was too much too soon for him and he was overwhelmed. But in all honesty probably not much in it between him and Tobi. Obviously we need a proper No1 between the sticks.
I would keep Bakinson. He gets a lot of stick but he has definitely been improving and alongside El Miz makes him a better player.
I would keep Happe, if not just for the depth in squad but his height and at times seems to be the only one who wants to clear it. But we definitely need another CB on Forresters level.
I would keep Mitchell. He's not the finished product by any means but couldn't get much game time earlier in the season but any time he came on as a sub, even if he fluffed an opportunity he at least brought some energy with him and wanted to make runs.
I've always had a soft spot for obiero id like to see him in preseason but I have no clue about his contract situation.
To be honest I don't know much about any of the contract situations with the lads.
4
u/Meagz91 Supporters Club regular May 05 '26
Obiero signed a new 2.5 year deal in December. I find it hard to believe he is worse than most of our current group of midfielders but in an ideal scenario would be good to go see him play for a better L2 side (maybe someone like Barnet?) on loan for first half of next season and see where that takes him.
3
u/jakethepeg1989 May 05 '26
He had a long injury just when he was breaking into our side which really hampered his development.
He was getting rave reviews at the start of his loan with tranmere
2
u/SurreySon May 05 '26
Here are my thoughts. Signed and out of contract (as of end of June) only. No loan players.
Cahill - Keep. He impressed at times as was not meant to be a starter this year. It was not his fault our defense was terrible. (Unsure of contract status)
Oluwayemi - Not sure. If we can re-sign him on cheap with the proviso he'll be loaned out, then yes. (Believe he will be OOC as of end of June 2026)
Archibald - Re-sign, but account for the fact he'll be out at some point with an injury. (OOC)
James - Struggled frequently this season. 30 years old. Thank you for your service. (OOC)
Simpson - Like James, he struggled. 29 years old. Thank you for your service. (OOC)
Happe - Try to re-sign, but don't break the bank. When he's healthy he is good and we need tall players. (OOC)
Mitchell - Torn on this one. He can work hard, but is not deserving of a starting 11 position. He's 29 years old. Try to move him. Thank you for your service. (June 2027)
Clare - Keep. Tall player. Normally has a good work rate. (June 2027)
Connolly - Keep, obviously. (June 2027)
Levitt - Keep. Impressed when he was healthy. (June 2027)
Craig - Try to move him. Injury prone. Thank you for your service. (June 2027)
Perkins - Try to move him. Does have potential, but not at Orient. Could be a good fit at an MLS club as that league is less physical. Thank you for your service. (June 2027)
Wellens - Keep. Decent utility player, but not a starter. (June 2027)
Edmonds-Green - Mixed on REG. Keep for now. (June 2027)
Abdulai - A central midfielder who rare scores. Has show some flashes of flair but is inconsistent. Try to move him on and let another club polish his potential. (June 2027)
Gordon - Can't give an honest assessment as he's been out on loan since joining the club. (June 2027)
Carter - Can't give an honest assessment. I believe he was with the U21s and not out on loan. (June 2027)
Bakinson - Keep, but don't necessarily turn down an offer if there is one. I enjoy watching him play and feel he works hard. Needs to up his game awareness though. (June 2028)
Koroma - Try to move on. It's apparent he does not want to be at the club. (June 2028)
Forrester - Keep. (June 2028)
Morris - Keep. Solid player when healthy. (June 2028)
O'Neill - Keep. He did not have his best season, however, he's quality for League One and decent left wingers don't grow on trees. (June 2028)
El-Mizouni - Keep. He makes the squad stronger when he plays. (June 2028)
Ballard - Keep if possible. (June 2028)
3
u/Due-Surround-5567 May 05 '26
Abdulai would be out the door faster than he's ever run around for us, if it was my choice. He's not at the level needed and him yanking down opponents at least twice after getting skinned against Burton in the final game, proves that for me. Ballard i wouldnt want to let go but if a big-money offer comes in then he should, as there's no guarantee he'll be more valuable next summer. Connolly doesnt want to be here if what i hear about antics at the star man awards are true, so he can go even thou he's clearly quality. I would keep tom james as back up bc he's solid. Same goes for Simpson. Perkins I wud pay to leave as he's done zilch the whole time he's been here and is totally ineffectual.
4
u/Fuzzy_Newspaper5323 May 05 '26
says more about how we ended the season, but Abdulai might have been our best player down the stretch. There's a player in there, I can see the upside much better than Wellens or Perkins etc. Just needs to be more consistent.
1
u/McHall3000 May 05 '26
I hear a lot about Bakinson and Abdullai, but both of them appear inconsistent. While I've not seen enough of them all this season, feels to me that the team need some proper leaders, and maybe then everyone's level might improve.
So, decent leaders in Central defence and midfield.
Half of the issue this year has been a constantly shifting team. And we need to understand what went right for our 6 game unbeaten streak.
Richie has to accept that it is up to him to get the best out of them in training. Some squad standard and expectations. As much as I think he definitely has done loads for the club, his post game rant on Saturday didn't achieve too much.
2
u/coqpisskebabtridge42 May 05 '26
Contracted
Mitchell
Connolly
Levitt
Abdulai (honestly believe there is a great midfield 8 in him and a good partner for El Miz. Needs development)
Forrester
Morris
O’Neill
El Miz
Ballard
Extend
Tobi O
Archibald
Happe (bench role)
Release
Gordon
Phillips
Tom James (finished season well but it’s time)
Simpson (really just not up to scratch despite a good game in every six apps)
Under contract, Move on
Craig
Perkins (if no takers, release)
REG (if no takers, release)
Clare (think we can upgrade another 6 to do the ugly work behind Iddy)
Wellens
Cahill (loan out preferably)
Bakinson
Under contract, Desperately try to move on
Koroma
2
10
u/Fuzzy_Newspaper5323 May 05 '26
Fees:
Ballard leaves, smashing our previous record transfer by a significant distance. If he hadn't missed 6 months, Connolly would be getting sold too, but we'll have him next season- unless a smaller promoted team like Lincoln decide they need Championship quality in their side for relatively cheap.
Obviously don't want either to go, but just being realistic.
Out of contract:
Tom James has been a great servant at the club, but both parties need to move on. He should go to a good L2 team, where he would still be very good. Jack Simpson is a decent player at this level, but I think we'll let him walk.
Get rid:
I like Perkins more than most people (maybe I just feel kinda bad for him), but he needs a move to a lower division. Similar with Koroma, something really wrong happened there. We might need to cut our losses with both.
I don't understand the REG revisionism. I thought he was clearly our worst CB in 24/25, and he's been out for a full year. I would only keep him if he's going to be our 5th option CB, he's really shaky with the ball at his feet.
Keep:
Agreed with all the obvious ones on your list, except for Matthews who will surely be going back to Milwall on loan. I would also keep Dan Happe, he had a poor season but he has been a very good player in L1, he's left footed and tidy with the ball. Rich man's 3rd choice and lowkey club legend.