O’s boss Ling plots recipe for success

1:19pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

ORIENT manager Martin Ling has had plenty of food for thought this week after beginning some early pre-season work with his new-look squad in Belgium.

The O's boss, who is just looking for a wide left player to complete his line-up for the 2008-09 campaign is certainly delighted he wont have to do a last minute microwave job' as he looks to cook up some success this time around.

That is because Ling already has five new signings in the building, as well as having injury victims Alton Thelwell, Tamika Mkandawire and Wayne Gray joining in some of the training ahead of today's match with KFCO Wilrijk in Antwerp.

Speaking from the east Londoners' four-day tour, Ling said: "The trip has been going really well and it is great to have so many of the new boys in place working with the rest of the squad.

"It has been a chance for us to work on some positional play and the changes in formation from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3.

"I'm certainly pleased not to be in that microwave situation like some managers, who will still be throwing together a lot of their squads at the last minute."

The Orient chief claims he is more than prepared to be patient to wait on the possible sale of O's old boy Nicky Shorey from Reading before stepping up his moves for a wide left player.

He continued: "With any sale of Nicky Shorey giving us some sell-on money, I'm more than happy to wait before filling the left midfield role.

"Of course I've identified players in both scenarios, just in case Shorey doesn't move on but I'd much rather see if we have a bigger budget to pay a fee for someone.

"Any sale would also give us some money to work with in January, which would be good because last year we didn't have the resources available to go out and do that."

Ling was also looking ahead to the pre-season games with Boston on Saturday and local rivals Dagenham on Wednesday.

He added: "These two will probably be more like the games we will face next season.

"I know both Tommy Taylor and John Still will put out strong teams against us, that is for sure."

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