The O's - are we ready?

Only two days out from the opening match of the season and we are reaching that point of excitement pitched between eternal optimism and nagging doubt. The big question for all clubs and their supporters at this time, is are we ready?

1) Is the club settled? 

2) Are we confident in our Manager? 

3) Do we have the personnel we need?

4) Are we confident we will be competitive when the transfer window closes?

Fair to say that the club does look settled. The takeover has completed and disinterested Sandgaard has gone, along with his son and lady-friend. Charlie Methven has done a good job so far in calming the horses. He has revealed the identities of the main investors and set-up a Senior Management Team which has appeased the majority.

Confidence in the manager probably couldn't be a lot higher without him having achieved a promotion. Dean Holden sees things as fans do and he is a good communicator. Honest and direct, he has us on-board and the majority have faith in him to make the changes we need as the season progresses.

I don't think we have the personnel we need yet. The squad looks weaker, certainly numerically and most likely in terms of quality as things stand. We have until 1st September to change that and hope that we have enough to get us through the first five games (Orient h, Peterborough a, Bristol Rovers h, Port Vale h and Oxford a). The Academy players will need to pitch-in.

The away games at Peterborough and Oxford look tricky but the three home games should be eminently winnable. I think it's fairly clear to all that there are questions about whether or not we have the personnel to play Holden's preferred 3-5-2 and we are going to struggle upfront with Miles Leaburn unlikely to be ready for these games. We are going to have to rely on youth to win some of these games and we do look in an even better position now with the crop available compared to 12 months ago. 

In terms of confidence that we will be that much stronger as a squad by 1st September, the jury is still out. An expectation was set that the new owners had the budget and the targets lined-up months ago and were itching to get going. Alfie May (for Macauley Bonne) had already been signed under Sandgaard but you have to believe the consortium were onboard with that. Two days after completing the takeover, Harry Isted was signed as a back-up goalkeeper, replacing MacGillivray, Wolacott or Harness (we need a third keeper). We then saw Lloyd Jones join from Cambridge United to fill the Inniss/Lavelle role, Tayo Edun come in at left-back/wing-back to replace Sessegnon and Panutche Camara and Terry Taylor strengthen the attacking midfield (Gilbey/Morgan).

The budget has been confirmed as "Top 6" and Methven has been clear that they won't throw money at this (which I don't think too many would argue with). On the basis that we look to have paid fees for one or two, it's safe to assume that these may come out of the wage bill, which may see us run a smaller 'first team' squad and rely more upon the youngsters. I think we still have five loan spaces and suspect we will use some of these to strengthen further.

However, it's glaringly obvious to me that we need more goals in the side. Rak-Sakyi (our top scorer last season) has not been replaced and we simply have to have striking cover if we are serious about challenging for promotion. Alfie May is a grafter but he's not cut-out for a lone striker role and making do with Kirk and an inexperienced Kanu doesn't work. Given Miles Leaburn will miss the start of the season, that problem will be front and centre during August. Goal-scoring strikers don't come cheap so it's a big ask of the remaining budget but it won't get any cheaper and we will be missing opportunities all the time this isn't addressed. God forbid May gets injured in the meantime. We certainly can't wait or rely on Chuks Aneke who must be one more breakdown away from calling it a day.

The O's don't look like they have had a great pre-season and have lost three key players from last year's promotion romp. They matched us in Spain over 120 minutes in the July heat but Saturday will be decidedly different with rain and wind forecast. I can see another close game with two or three goals being shared. My London derby default is always 1-1 and it's a result that isn't a huge blow for either side. Much may depend on formation and our ability to take the main chances we create. I really don't want to see three at the back again anytime soon and hope that Edun or Thomas can anchor the left back position even playing as wing-backs. We haven't replaced Sean Clare either - Nathan Asiimwe has looked promising but Mandela is fit again and I am surprised he hasn't seen more minutes. If he doesn't start it will look like he either has a fitness problem or Holden doesn't fancy him - Dean Holden may reveal more on his CAST Zoom call this evening at 7pm.