Squad for 2025-2026

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I cannot believe Orient met his wage demands (if true). It may be the strong Spurs connections the club has baring in mind that's were Criag came from.

[Sutekh]

I cannot believe Orient met his wage demands (if true). It may be the strong Spurs connections the club has baring in mind that's were Criag came from.

The rumoured £12k maybe what he wanted to stay at Reading and not what Orient are actually paying him. Presume Galbraith was on a fairly serious wedge at Orient anyway so they could probably offer something fairly hefty (e.g. £10k).

It’s possible Craig might have found the decision to move difficult therefore asked Reading for an extra couple of grand above Orient's offer and so make the decision for him.

Big boots for him to fill at Orient though, will really have to step up - and quickly.

Move now confrimed by Reading.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2025/j ... departure/

[Hound]

Is what it is. At least we can move on now

Just Kelvin to go. Gary from Woodley - what’s the story here?

[Hound]

Okine Peters must be first team squad now as mentioned. Seems pretty old to still be knocking about the youth teams

[Royal_jimmy]

Tidy player but really not that bothered by this. He wasn't worth the amount he asked for to be a squad player.

Glad to see the club showing a backbone to players with crazy demands

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I cannot believe Orient met his wage demands (if true). It may be the strong Spurs connections the club has baring in mind that's were Criag came from.

The rumoured £12k maybe what he wanted to stay at Reading and not what Orient are actually paying him. Presume Galbraith was on a fairly serious wedge at Orient anyway so they could probably offer something fairly hefty (e.g. £10k).

It’s possible Craig might have found the decision to move difficult therefore asked Reading for an extra couple of grand above Orient's offer and so make the decision for him.

Big boots for him to fill at Orient though, will really have to step up - and quickly.

Move now confrimed by Reading.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2025/j ... departure/

Yep fair comments - his chances of starting here regularly in his favoured position of centre midfield are much lower, given Galbraith seemingly on way to Swansea.

[Uke]

Would Wifi and Yaks work?

Given Couhig's response here? (don't know how reliable the source is)
https://x.com/danmarkgreen83/status/1941076619344699501

[WestYorksRoyal]

Would Wifi and Yaks work?

Given Couhig's response here? (don't know how reliable the source is)
https://x.com/danmarkgreen83/status/1941076619344699501

With full backs who provide width. They're both suited to cutting in and shooting as opposed to getting to the byline and crossing, but the right FBs could compensate for that.

[Uke]

Would Wifi and Yaks work?

Given Couhig's response here? (don't know how reliable the source is)
https://x.com/danmarkgreen83/status/1941076619344699501

With full backs who provide width. They're both suited to cutting in and shooting as opposed to getting to the byline and crossing, but the right FBs could compensate for that.

Abrefa and Garcia?

[stealthpapes]

Craig was a big success in the midfield role in 23-24 and, while we needed him elsewhere last season, I think we really missed his presence and grit in the middle at times.
The starting midfield last season was often very lightweight.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Craig was a big success in the midfield role in 23-24 and, while we needed him elsewhere last season, I think we really missed his presence and grit in the middle at times.
The starting midfield last season was often very lightweight.

Also, if Wing gets injured, I don't know plays DM for us now. Probably Rushesha or Spencer, but either would be a risk. Or push Savage deeper, but I don't see that as a desirable option.

[MartinRdg]

I mean one day I might get some recognition…

You only copy what Huang Kad posts

[Esteban]

Craig was a big success in the midfield role in 23-24 and, while we needed him elsewhere last season, I think we really missed his presence and grit in the middle at times.
The starting midfield last season was often very lightweight.

Also, if Wing gets injured, I don't know plays DM for us now. Probably Rushesha or Spencer, but either would be a risk. Or push Savage deeper, but I don't see that as a desirable option.

Agreed, we could do with bringing in a DM this window, now that Craig has definitely gone.

[Mr Optimist]

Michael Craig is dead to me now. Seriously though, he wasn’t a local lad so wont have a big emotional attachment to us and loyalty is for the fans only.

[Greatwesternline]

Confirmed Craig gone to the Orient £££££££

I wasn't aware Orient had £££££. Stockport and Wycombe yes, but do we need to add another historically smaller club to the list?

It does confuse a bit; you'd think these mid sized towns/suburbs in London and Manchester with giant clubs on their doorstep will struggle to get beyond a certain ceiling even with money behind them. Orient are very close to West Ham, for example. I'm also bewildered nobody higher up the chain has gone after Wellens yet given his record.

Maybe just a reality check for me. I'll be honest and say when the takeover happened I thought we'd be one of the most appealing options in the league; I didn't expect good players with a big role to play (which is the case for Craig) to join Leyton Orient.

Orient played Man C in the cup. = Money.

[retro royal]

So Matty J is on a season long loan deal, can we still not sign players for a fee ?

[Groucho BI]

So Matty J is on a season long loan deal, can we still not sign players for a fee ?

Some folks have really short memories
Just a few points short of the post-season without spending a fortune

[Sutekh]

So Matty J is on a season long loan deal, can we still not sign players for a fee ?

Yes Reading are able to sign players for a fee but if you can cover what you need adequately with what’s available via freebies and loan expenses then you’d probably do that. Any money Reading do have for fees I’d expect to be used for the 2 strikers we need.

[Royalwaster]

So Matty J is on a season long loan deal, can we still not sign players for a fee ?

Only if the parent club wants to sell