Leyton Orient urged to sign out-and-out winger and old-fashioned centre-forward | OneFootball

Leyton Orient urged to sign out-and-out winger and old-fashioned centre-forward | OneFootball

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Football League World

·7 December 2024

Leyton Orient urged to sign out-and-out winger and old-fashioned centre-forward

Article image:Leyton Orient urged to sign out-and-out winger and old-fashioned centre-forward

We spoke to our reisdent Orient pundit to get his take on one concern he has heading into the January window.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...


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Leyton Orient were one of the surprise packages in League One last season as they secured an 11th-placed finish after an eight-year hiatus from the division.

Richie Wellens earned widespread praise for this achievement, but this season the team has struggled, currently languishing in 20th place, just a single point above the relegation zone.

In recent weeks, their form has shown signs of improvement, and Tuesday night’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Bristol Rovers will have left Orient fans feeling optimistic.

Over the coming weeks they will be looking for a continuation of this form and on the horizon is a pivotal January transfer window.

With this in mind, Football League World spoke to their resident O's pundit, Lee Goulding, to get his take on a potential fear he has heading into the New Year.

Orient need to sign wingers this January

Article image:Leyton Orient urged to sign out-and-out winger and old-fashioned centre-forward

Leyton Orient's main issue at the moment lies in the wide areas and, as Goulding explains, it will be a concern if they don't address this in January.

"The priority this window has to be wingers. We have lost both Theo Archibald and Jordan Graham to long-term injuries; the only out-and-out winger we've got is Ollie O'Neill. So, we desperately need to bring in some wingers.

"I can't say there is anyone, in particular, we should be keeping tabs on, but we need a player with the ability to consistently beat his man and deliver balls into the box.

"I also wouldn't mind us signing an old-fashioned centre-forward. It isn't the way Wellens likes to play, but I think it's handy to have a Plan B so that when things aren't working out, we have someone on the bench who can come on and change the game for us."

Leyton Orient to target safety with new wingers

Article image:Leyton Orient urged to sign out-and-out winger and old-fashioned centre-forward

It’s hard to disagree with Goulding, as Orient have been severely impacted by injuries to their wide players. Theo Archibald is still recovering from an ACL injury, while Jordan Graham has unfortunately ruptured his patella tendon for the second time. Therefore, it will be some time before either player is back on the pitch and playing to the best of their ability.

While players like Sonny Perkins and Jamie Donley can prove stop-gaps, they will need to sign some new wingers in January.

If they can get suitable players, it could go some way to determining those relegation spots come May.

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