As we come to the latter parts of our second season in the Vanarama National League, let’s take a look at how every member in the squad and some of the youth squad has got on. This edition will focus on the centre-backs. Furthermore, at the end of each article there will be a player who would be a good signing in our current league to sign at the end of the season.
As always, these opinions are my own and do not represent the rest of the writers at Everything Orient.
Josh Coulson
The 30-year-old initially joined Orient on-loan from Cambridge United in July 2017 but joined permanently in the January 2017 transfer window. He joined us after 10 years at Cambridge United which spanned over two leagues and 273 appearances. even winning promotion from the Conference Premier.
Since joining he has battled with injuries but always performed very well. A fan favourite, Josh is an aerial threat as well as being a class tackler and leader. At only 30 he still has a few more years left at his prime. But this season, although he has battled with injuries, he has played very well in all of his games.
Marvin Ekpiteta
I have followed Marvin’s career ever since he played for my local side Chelmsford City alongside his brother Marvel. They both came up in the Oxford United academy before moving to Chelmsford City in 2014.
Even then, as a young man, Marvin played with such composure that you’d think he was much older and was a fan favourite. Once leaving Chelmsford he left for East Thurrock which is where Orient signed him from.
The 23-year-old came into the squad due to injuries and immediately made his presence known and since then has been a first teamer. He is also a fan favourite at the Breyer Group stadium and his pace and work rate has made him a nightmare to attack against for the opposition. At only 23, Marvin could be a potential future captain and hopefully he can follow on from his outstanding season so far.
Dan Happe
The 20-year-old defender is an academy graduate who made his initial debut in 2017 against Hartlepool in the National League. Since then, he has been in and around the first team squad.
A towering defender, Dan is highly rated at the Breyer Group Stadium and impresses every time he plays. His pace for a big lad is outstanding and has made some picture perfect slide tackles so far this season and under Justin’s new formation, he looks to have a first team place and hopefully can cement that for years to come.
Jamie Turley
The signing of Jamie Turley to the Breyer Group was one which surprised many fans from the O’s and also the club in which we signed him from, Notts County. The fans from the League 2 club were all very fond of him and many expressed their anger at the fact the club let him go.
The 28-year-old from Berkshire has played at many clubs across the National League and League 2 divisions, initially starting at Salisbury he moved to Forest Green Rovers where he made nearly 100 appearances before leaving for Eastleigh. He also has league experience from Newport and Notts County.
Jamie Turley’s effort and desire to play well is what many fans claim he's best at. This season he has only made a handful of appearances, scoring a single goal. He looks to be a good signing and provides good back up for Marvin and Josh.
Shadrach Ogie
Shadrach Ogie is another up-and-coming defender at the Breyer Group Stadium. The 18-year-old was signed from AFC Hornchurch and immediately featured in the under-18's. He has played with the first team a few times and even played for Ireland at under 19 level, which is a massive achievement to both himself and the Orient coaching staff.
Hector Kyprianou
Hector Kyprianou is one of the hottest prospects at the club. The young defender is currently on loan at Bishops Stortford and looks to be a good defender. I have seen him a few times and he has always impressed. He has also recently got a call up to the Cyprus under 19 squad. Hopefully, he can push his way into the first team in years to come.
Alfie Fleming and Will Sanders
Alfie Fleming and Will Sanders are the other youth defenders at the club, in all honestly I haven’t seen much of them but as most Orient youth players they are all highly rated and will hopefully have a future for Orient.
Wishlist: Carl Piergianni
My wishlist signing would be Carl Piergianni, the 26 year old Salford defender is a class player. Somewhat the pantomime villain when he played at the Breyer Group Stadium in January's 3-0 victory over Leyton Orient, where he bagged 2 goals and played very well all game. He has featured prominently in the Greater Manchester squad over the past season and a half.
Carl Piergianni originally played for Peterborough United but made appearances on loan at two non-league clubs before moving to Stockport County in 2011 where he made 44 appearances. He later moved to Corby Town in 2012 where he stayed for a season before moving to Lincolnshire based side, Boston United.
This is where he made a name for himself making 100 appearances before leaving for Australia to join South Melbourne FC, who are in the second tier of Australian football. He stayed there for a season before moving to Salford in 2017, where he is close to making 90 appearances and may have a promotion medal to his name come the end of the season.
Carl Piergianni would be a great signing for Orient and would be a great long term option to partner Happe or Ekpiteta.
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