LOFC-CM-CH01 | Down the Brisbane Road
A detailed account of taking the reins at Leyton Orient in EA FC 2025, including summer transfer activity, tactical approach, financial stability, and early season form.
Chapter 01: Down the Brisbane Road: Taking the Reins at Leyton Orient in EA FC 2025
Summer of Change: The Inzaghi Revolution Begins
Arriving in June 2024, I knew immediate action was needed. The squad required a significant overhaul to implement my tactical vision – a dynamic, attacking style built on a solid defensive foundation.
Transfer Activity
Here’s a summary of the comings and goings at Brisbane Road during the summer transfer window:
Ins (Permanent)
Strategic paid transfers to strengthen key positions: Aaron Nemane (£370K), Tyler Bindon (£2.5M)
Ins (Free Agents)
Exploiting free transfer market for high-quality players: Jesus Angulo, Alexis Vega, Florinel Coman, Erik Lira, Mihály Kata, Elijah Just, Bogdan Mykhailichenko
Ins (Loans)
Loan signings to add depth Dele Alli (Como), Will Lankshear (Tottenham), Jamie Donley (Tottenham), Dilan Markanday (Blackburn), Jack Currie (Oxford United)
Outs (Permanent)
Generated £4.07M in sales: Sam Howes (£150K), Noah Phillips (£250K), Darren Pratley (£89K), Jordan Brown (£850K), Tom James (£450K), Jordan Graham (£500K), Dan Happe (£700K), Dan Agyei (£550K), Jayden Sweeney (£530K)
Outs (Loans)
Youth development loans: Azeem Abdulai (Cambridge), Zech Obiero (USL Dunkerque), Charlie Pegrum (Northampton)
Exploiting Free Transfers: A Double-Edged Sword
You’ll notice that I extensively exploited the free transfer market to strengthen the squad. Many of these free agents are national team players who previously played in leagues not currently represented in the game. However, this approach comes with two significant downsides. First, their wage demands are substantially higher than the team average, as evident in the squad table below. Second, and more problematically from a gameplay perspective, their player ratings (70+) are significantly higher than the rest of the team (who average around 65).
To maintain competitive balance and fairness, I plan to transfer out some of these overpowered players when we receive suitable offers from other clubs when we are in the January 2025 transfer window.
To maintain competitive balance and fairness, I plan to transfer out some of these overpowered players when we receive suitable offers from other clubs when we are in the January 2025 transfer window.
Current Squad
| Player Name | Position | Alt Position | Age | Overall Rating | Market Value | Wage | Transfer Status | Player Join Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Norman | GK | 16 | 50 | £275K | £600 | Permanent | 12/07/2024 | |
| Josh Keeley | GK | 21 | 64 | £2.5M | £2K | Permanent | 01/07/2024 | |
| Brandon Cooper | CB | 24 | 64 | £575K | £5K | Permanent | 16/01/2024 | |
| Jack Simpson | CB | LB | 27 | 66 | £675K | £5K | Permanent | 29/02/2024 |
| Jesús Angulo | CB | LB | 26 | 75 | £5.5M | £11K | Permanent | 10/07/2024 |
| Omar Beckles | CB | 32 | 65 | £250K | £5K | Permanent | 01/07/2021 | |
| Tyler Bindon | CB | RB | 19 | 68 | £4.4M | £3K | Permanent | 25/07/2024 |
| Jack Currie | LB | 22 | 65 | £1.2M | £5K | Loan from Oxford United | 05/07/2024 | |
| Bogdan Mykhailichenko | LB | 27 | 72 | £2.2M | £7K | Permanent | 31/08/2024 | |
| Sean Clare | RB | RM/CB | 28 | 65 | £375K | £5K | Permanent | 30/06/2024 |
| Dominic Ball | CDM | CM | 29 | 66 | £400K | £6K | Permanent | 30/06/2024 |
| Erik Lira | CDM | CM/CB | 24 | 74 | £6.5M | £9K | Permanent | 18/07/2024 |
| Lewis Warrington | CDM | CM | 22 | 66 | £1.6M | £4K | Permanent | 16/07/2024 |
| Dele Alli | CM | CAM | 28 | 74 | £4.5M | £20K | Loan from Como 1907 | 19/01/2025 |
| Mihály Kata | CM | CDM | 22 | 71 | £1.5M | £4K | Permanent | 28/08/2024 |
| Diallang Jaiyesimi | LM | RM/RB | 26 | 61 | £325K | £5K | Permanent | 30/06/2024 |
| Ollie O’Neill | LM | RM | 21 | 65 | £1.4M | £4K | Permanent | 23/01/2024 |
| Aaron Nemane | RM | RB | 27 | 66 | £2.5M | £2K | Permanent | 12/07/2024 |
| Dilan Markanday | RM | CAM | 23 | 66 | £900K | £5K | Loan from Blackburn Rovers | 18/01/2022 |
| Harry Myers | RM | ST/LM | 16 | 61 | £1.9M | £3K | Permanent | 13/08/2024 |
| Ethan Galbraith | CAM | CM/RB | 23 | 67 | £1.6M | £4K | Permanent | 01/07/2023 |
| Jamie Donley | CAM | ST | 19 | 64 | £2.4M | £4K | Loan from Tottenham Hotspur | 11/01/2022 |
| Florinel Coman | LW | LM/RM | 26 | 75 | £6.5M | £12K | Permanent | 13/07/2024 |
| Elijah Just | RW | CAM/LW | 24 | 66 | £1.0M | £8K | Permanent | 28/08/2024 |
| Alexis Vega | ST | LW/LM | 26 | 76 | £5.5M | £11K | Permanent | 12/07/2024 |
| Charlie Kelman | ST | RM | 22 | 63 | £725K | £5K | Loan from Queens Park Rangers | 14/10/2020 |
| Sonny Perkins | ST | RM | 20 | 62 | £1.5M | £4K | Loan from Leeds United | 19/07/2022 |
| Will Lankshear | ST | 19 | 61 | £1.6M | £29K | Loan from Tottenham Hotspur | 01/07/2023 |
Tactical Approach: The 4-2-3-1 meta
We’re employing a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to be both defensively solid and creatively potent in attack. Here’s a look at the key roles within the system:
- Striker: The focal point of the attack, tasked with leading the line, making runs in behind, and finishing chances.
- Wingers (LM/RM): Playing as Inside Forwards, they’ll cut inside onto their stronger foot to create goal-scoring opportunities or provide through balls to the striker.
- Central Attacking Midfielder (CAM): The creative hub of the team, linking play between midfield and attack, providing assists, and contributing goals.
- Central Defensive Midfielders (CDMs): One CDM (the holding midfielder) providing defensive cover, winning back possession, and shielding the back four. The other CDM (roaming playmaker) tasked with creating chances and dictating tempo.
- Fullbacks: Providing width in attack and defensive solidity.
- Center Backs: Primarily focused on defending, winning aerial duels, and organizing the backline.
- Goalkeeper: Providing shot-stopping prowess and being a reliable last line of defence.
Financial Stability
I’m no accountant, but I understand the importance of keeping the books balanced! Here’s a simplified breakdown of our financial situation (after 18 games since taking charge):
| Category | Amount | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Current Budget | £1,319,374 | Money available to spend |
| Income | ||
| Player Sales | £4,069,000 | Revenue from selling players |
| Prize Money | £664,586 | Winnings from competitions |
| Ticket Sales | £775,442 | Revenue from fans attending matches |
| Wage Cuts | £2,252,420 | Savings from releasing or renegotiating player contracts |
| Expenses | ||
| Player Purchases | £3,675,524 | Money spent on buying new players |
| Wage Increases | £5,448,575 | Increased spending on player wages due to new signings and contract renewals |
Early Season Form: A Promising Start
As of the time of the release of this Chapter 01, we are in mid-October in game. We have played 18 games so far, including 11 League One games, and 7 Cup ties or friendlies.
The results have been encouraging so far! We boast a record of 14 wins, 2 draws, and just 2 losses. We are banging in the goals, with 26 scored, and a mean defence with only 3 conceded, the biggest win so far has been a 4-0 drubbing of Rotherham in August, but we suffered a 1-0 set back at Bolton in September.
Here below is a summary of the performance so far.
What’s Next?
The journey is just beginning! The focus now is on maintaining our momentum, developing our young talent, and continuing to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window. The dream is promotion, and we’re determined to make it a reality.
Stay tuned for future updates, including match analysis, transfer news, and insights into our tactical approach.