With Orient leading the way in the National League as we approach the Christmas period, I’m going to provide my individual player ratings of the Leyton Orient players that featured this side of the season.
DISCLAIMER: The content below is the views of the individual writer and do not represent those of other writers at Everything Orient.
Goalkeepers
Dean Brill – 8
Since being put in goal by Edinburgh last year, he has played in every league game for the O’s.
He made one mistake against Barrow in the third game, since then he has gone to keep over 10 clean sheets and helped the side to have the best defence in the league.
His voice at the back has been key to the defence, in my opinion. He just needs to be consistent on coming out for crosses and his kicking. Personally, I think he will be our goalkeeper for the next three years or so, dependent on injuries.
Sam Sargeant, Charlie Grainger, Arthur Janata - N/A
Unfortunately for these three, Brill has been in top form and have had no or little time in goal this season.
I think two of the three will go on loan in January and will probably be looking for clubs in the summer with only one being Brill’s back up come next year.
Defence
Myles Judd – 8
I w as a little worried for him at the start of the season when he was second choice to Ling.
But since coming into the team in game four of the season, he hasn’t looked back.
Unfortunately, he has picked up an injury which hopefully won’t keep him out for too long.
In my opinion, he’s played as well as he did in his breakout season two years ago.
It looks like he’s bulked up over the summer and he often beats his opponent in the air, which is impressive considering the size of him.
Marvin Ekpiteta – 9
He’s been our best player this season so far, without a doubt. When Elokobi picked up his injury, we all wondered if he was ready for a team gunning for promotion.
Well, he definitely has proved to people he can be a solid and composed centre back and also chipping with the odd vital goal as well. I think if we can hold on to him, I see him as a future Orient captain.
Josh Coulson – 8
Coulson has probably gone under the radar since big Marvin has come into the team, but his seniority has helped Ekpiteta become the defender he is now. Every week he is solid at the back and has been unlucky not to score a few more goals.
Joe Widdowson – 8
The forgotten man at the back, he puts in 7 or 8 ratings every week but hardly gets the recognition for it. He was unlucky to get sent off but you could see how much we missed him in those three games.
In all honesty, I think he is probably one of best left backs in the league. Also, he’s formed a good partnership with McAnuff as the season has gone on.
Sam Ling – 6
Has been unlucky with injuries and the form of Judd has kept him out of the side. Furthermore, he probably knows he wasn’t at his best in our first three games of the season by his standards.
Hopefully the next few matches, due to Judd’s injury, he can show why we brought him in last January and create a headache for Justin Edinburgh.
Dan Happe – 7
Has been limited to sub appearances and the odd start due to the form of Coulson and Ekpiteta.
But when called upon, Happe put in a good shift and is now probably the third-choice centre back. Hopefully, he signs a new contract before the season runs out so that it seems that we want him before he looks to go elsewhere.
George Elokobi – 6
What a character he is and he was so unlucky to pick up an injury so early on in the season.
But, behind the scenes, he will certainly be helping out the staff to make Happe and Ekpiteta become better defenders.
Elokobi returned to action this weekend against Beaconsfield, demonstrating a solid display and with a goal to top off his performance. Hopefully, there’s more to come from George.
Midfield
James Dayton – 7
At times, he has been brilliant on the wing and has proved he is capable of using both feet, chipping in with a few goals and assists.
However, if he was consistently on his game every game he would be one of the best wingers in the league.
I think he needs a few more goals but is injury will now hamper him for nearly two months and he could struggle to get back into the team with Brophy waiting in the wings, pardon the pun, and maybe another signing in January.
Craig Clay – 8
This time last year Iwas criticising him, saying he was an awful signing. I eat my words as I think he’s the most improved player this season.
Any game he hasn’t been playing, we’ve struggled. Hopefully he can score a few goals before the season ends but has provided many assists so far, the highlight being the one against Havant and Waterlooville.
Charlie Lee – 7
I’m so glad we finally got to see the best of him before he picked up another injury. You can definitely see that he’s played at a higher level. Lee’s so naturally calm on the ball and his sense of leadership is impressive. Could do with him coming back into the team over the Christmas period.
Jobi McAnuff - 8
What an inspirational player he is! The man is 37, though the way he runs all game, you would think he was 27. The fittest player in our team.
Always running back to help the defence out and at the other end has scored his usual wonderful goals and nearly got a hat-trick against Harrogate. Age is definitely not a number to him and could probably play until he’s 40.
James Brophy – 7
It was a shame that Brophy picked up an injury at the start of the season and has been limited to just substitution appearances due to the form of McAnuff and Dayton.
However, he will get his chance now with Dayton’s injury. He also scored a great goal against Wrexham.
Personally, I think if he stays fit he could become the best winger in the league. So direct and when he runs with the ball, defences look scared of him. But he could do without the dramatics of falling on the floor and trying to claim a free kick all the time.
Dale Gorman – 7
Has recovered well from his injury and has had to wait for his chance to implement himself in the team.
But, personally, I still think we’re yet to see the best of him but no doubt he will keep pushing on as the season progresses and will be interesting to see if he’s dropped once Lee is fit again.
Alex Lawless - 6
It’s difficult to comment on the form of Alex Lawless, mainly due to the lack of appearances in the first team – plus the midfielder will certainly struggle to get into the side with the likes of Clay, Lee and Gorman ahead of him.
Strikers
Macauley Bonne – 8
Proving he is not a one season wonder in the National league goal and will probably score more goals then last season and will get a least 30 before May. Runs all day and wins a lot in the air, forming a good partnership with Koroma.
Josh Koroma – 8 –Started slowly this season but since about game seven or eight, he has probably been one of the better players in the team.
He has his own goal of the season montage with so many screamers. Will keep improving under Edinburgh and I think he will get 20 goals by the end of the season.
James Alabi – 7
Alabi has split the fans all season and I can see why. I am still unsure of him.
At times he looks like he can scare defences with his pace and power, but other times he looks out of his comfort zone and struggles to make an impact.
I think he needs to be better in front of goal as two goals in 15 appearances is not good enough, but equally he is good sub to bring on and change the game.
Harold – 6
Injuries and the form of the other strikers have hindered him. In all honesty, I don’t think he will be with us for much longer.
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