Today, Orient confirmed that James Alabi has been removed from the transfer list.
The 24-year-old striker was put up for sale in May after a season of limited opportunities in the National League and inconsistent performances when given the chance.
With Lee Angol coming in from Shrewsbury and Conor Wilkinson arriving from Dagenham, it didn’t look like Alabi was set to feature for the O’s in League Two next season.
But after talks with Ross Embleton in pre-season, it looks like Alabi has a part to play as the O’s return to the Football League.
Commenting on the decision, Ross Embleton made two important and encouraging points about Alabi. He said that he has been impressed with his hard work and intent since returning from holiday and mentioned his importance in the dressing room.
The big man is popular with his team mates. He’s clearly a positive presence in the dressing room and the club have done well to recognise the importance of keeping a good group together as much as possible.
At his best, Alabi is an unstoppable juggernaut. Strong, fast, and the defenders just bounce off him as he charges through. We didn’t see that enough last season, which was frustrating, and reflected in his two goals that campaign. He was also guilty of fluffing a few gilt-edged chances.
There was a bit of a vicious circle of his form not being up to scratch, with his limited opportunities making it difficult to build on good performances and grow in confidence in front of goal.
Those opportunities to get involved may be less limited next season than they were in the National League, where the rules limited teams to a maximum five-man substitutes bench. With seven on the bench next season, Ross Embleton will be able to hold a few more attacking aces up his sleeve.
We don’t know yet how Embleton plans to set up Orient’s attack next season - both our top scorers have moved on up to the Championship - but the good news is we have options. In Angol, Wilkinson, Harrold, Alabi and Sotiriou we have a good mix of pace, strength, height and technical ability.
Alabi is likely to be fighting for a place on the pitch from the bench next season, at least at first. He needs to prove that he can use his pace and strength to smash down resilient defences, like a battering ram.
It is worth remembering that this time last year Craig Clay and Joe Widdowson were both reflecting on a pretty lacklustre season. They went onto be two of the most consistent performers in the National League, with Clay picking up Player of the Season.
At only 24, Alabi has a point to prove. If he takes this chance then he could yet make his mark in an Orient shirt.
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