Football Season Guide

The O’s face a potentially tricky second season having enjoyed a comfortable first year back in League One. The East Londoners lifted the League Two title in 2022/23 and never looked in any trouble after recovering from a sticky start to seal a top-half finish. Richie Wellens was a steady hand at the tiller and has rebuilt his reputation following disappointing spells at Salford City and Doncaster Rovers. He will be tested again this time however following a difficult summer that has seen him loss two of his most influential players. Midfield playmaker Idris El Mizouni was always going to return to parent club Ipswich Town following his season-long loan but striker Ruel Sotiriou’s decision to reject a new deal in favour of move to Bristol Rovers will have stung. Goalkeeper Sol Brynn has returned to parent club Middlesbrough following his season-long loan and he has been replaced by Zach Hemmings, who also joins on a season-long loan from Boro’. Goals and creativity are the main issues that need to be addressed, especially with winger Theo Archibald not expected to be fit until 2025. Diallang Jaiyesimi has signed following a disappointing spell at Charlton Athletic and will be hoping to rediscover the form his showed under Wellens guidance during Swindon Town’s League Two title-winning season in 2019/20. Dan Agyei missed most of last season through injury and will be like a new season. The attack has been supplemented with the loan signings of Charlie Kelman and Sonny Perkins but further additions are needed if they’re to compete with the big clubs in League One this season.