Football Season Guide

To say that the 2011/12 season was a huge disappointment for Leyton Orient would've been a huge understatement, as a much stronger expression is needed to portray the gap between the O's expectations and potential and their actual results last season. The club's board showed great patience to stick with Russel Slade despite the season being as poor as it was, and the O's boss spent the summer looking to reshape his side. Niine players left the club and, with the exception of the promising George Porter, all were players Slade wanted to ship out, while eight new players were signed, most of who are proven at League One level. The likes of Michael Symes and Ryan Brunt were signed to strengthen the attack, and if Brunt can reproduce the form he was showing for Tranmere last season, Slade will have a very useful player on his hands; while Symes' experience and physical frame are qualities that are always handy to have atthis level. The second major concern for the O's last season was the defence, and Slade didn't fail to address this, making the signings of full-back Gary Sawyer and central defenders Mathieu Baudry and Nathan Clarke: given the way the O's back four performed last season, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if all three new defenders became instant starters. The midfield was never really a problem, but Lloyd James and Anthony Griffith will provide their boss with new options and it does seem that the O's are well equipped for the upcoming campaign.