Football Season Review

Leyton Orient were, without any doubt, the biggest disappointment of the League One season that is now behind us, as the O's were widely expected to fight for direct promotion, only to end up being relegated to League Two. It all looked so well for the O's before the season started: they missed out on a place in the Championship after falling to a play-off final defeat to Rotherham last May, and looked set to make a step forward, as their new owners made funds available for Russell Slade to spend. The O's entered the season with a squad that was stronger than the one they had a year earlier but, for whatever reason, things never clicked for them, as they ended up winning only twice in their opening 13 games. The club hierarchy were rather open about the fact that Slade was close to losing his job, but the experienced manager opted to leave rather than wait to be sacked, as he left his post to take over at Cardiff. His departure sent the O's into a real state of turmoil, as they went on to try their luck with three different managers between October and the end of the season, but none of them was able to turn their fortunes around. They had occasional glimpses of brilliance, particularly under Fabio Liverani, who ended the season in charge, but it was always a case of one step forward and two steps backwards for them, as they ended up being relegated after making a real habit of playing well without getting the results to match. Despite wanting to stay in the role, Liverani has left the club at the end of the season, and the only thing that is clear at the moment is that the O's next boss will be under immense pressure to secure a straight return to League One.

Player of the Season: Chris Dagnall