Drabek and Field were again meeting in Drabek's office- this time around a conference table strewn with folders full of player evaluations.
"It didn't take long for Dave (Jarrett) and Ian (John) to come up some interesting possibilities," commented Dorn.
Field didn't look up from his reading, "No, and they came up with a bunch of good choices- at least from my perspective."
Drabek glanced down at the pile, "OK Spencer, give me your take on these- I need some input."
Field looked up and started picking through the piles, "Offer these players contracts- the sooner the better."
"Fine, but spell out to me what you are thinking here Spencer."
Field glanced over at Drabek, "Uh, ok- what is it you want to know in particular?"
Drabek waved his hand at the pile, "I need to know what aspects make you like these players you are selecting."
Field looked through the folders again, "Michael Sisson- AMC- good young player in my estimation. He is a good passer and an underrated tackler. He can be very valuable in our central midfield- especially if we are relying on counter-attacking."
"Jason Lanns- DLC- another solid younger player- likely best at leftback and not in the center. With everyone and their brother scouting Matt Lockwood, we need to have another quality player around in case we can't keep him."
"Nicky Hill- DLC- he can help us in the center- I don't know why no one has snapped him up."
"Bryon Glasgow AMRLC- a very versatile midfielder- I really like his decision making and I think at the least he could fill in anywhere in our midfield."
"Paul Moss DC- I think he can really help us in the middle with his marking ability- he may not tackle as well as Justin Miller or Simon Downer- but he can shut opposing forward's down."
"Paul Culshaw- DRC- We could use some better cover for Matthew Joseph and he looks like a solid player- who could start if needed because of injury."
"Matthew Ghent- GK- Lee Harrison is solid, but banking on our youngsters Morris and Jones as his backups means we are putting a lot on the line in case of injury."
"Last but not least- it will take some real money to land this one, but he is worth it- Kevin Grogan. I think Millwall is slightly deranged to have released him- but he could turn into a very, very good midfielder with some patience and development. I think we can give him the playing time needed."
***
"You surprised me," offered Spencer Field to open the morning meeting with Drabek.
"How's that?" asked Drabek.
"When I laid out that list of players, I thought you might be able to land a couple of them- but you bettered that by quite a bit- and you landed Grogan. Pretty good work- how did you manage that?"
Drabek laughed, "I was on the phone 2 minutes after you left that meeting- tracking down agents for those players. I stuck with the discussions until those agents and the players were convinced they are part of the new Orient 'wave'."
Field chuckled, "Good sales job then. Landing Grogan, Glasgow, Hill, Sisson, Lanns and Moss means that we have a lot more solid depth than we had a week ago. You also managed to sell Thorpe, Peters, Ibhere, Tate and Brazier- I count that as addition by subtraction in saving us wages."
Drabek glanced at him, "You really didn't believe that I had the kind of experience to handle this club, did you?"
Field answered his look with a level look of his own, "Honestly, no- I didn't. I thought you were a piker tossed a boon by Hearn. After all, look who you hired as your Assistant?"
They both chuckled at that.
Drabek leaned up against one of the walls, "I hope you're convinced that there is a plan- and that I do have a clue now. I may not have the judgement of football abilities- that is why I need you, so I can learn- but I do know players, agents and how to work the string."
Field nodded without saying anything.
Drabek motioned over to the conference table, littered with more scouting reports, "There's the next batch- take a look at them and give me some gems."
Dorn brought them both coffee as Field picked through the stacked folders. "Find anything yet?"
Field glanced up, "We are still sticking to the inexpensive, yet worthy model- correct?"
Drabek bobbed his head.
"Ok, here are several that would have to be purchased, but none of them should cost too much," he picked up a folder and tossed it onto the chair closest to Drabek.
"Scott Huckerby- AMRL- I have always loved this guy, he has the ability to make things happen down either wing and is perfectly suited for the kind of attack we will be using. He shouldn't cost much maybe 5-10K at the most, since Eastwood isn't really in the position to turn down an offer of cash."
"Carlin Itonga- AM/FR- I agree with the scouts that he might be too young for a lot of first team play, but with his speed and his finishing ability- he is about as good a forward as you can find for how cheap he should come- Cambridge City will likely accept about any cash offer you can make."
"Johann Torhallsson- FLC- Looks like he would be worth every pound you pay for him. I really like his blend of talents and try hard to sweet talk Tor out of him."
Field rubbed his forehead with his hand, then reached and grabbed a couple other folders, "Here are two more free players- but landing them will be very difficult."
"Nii Lamptey- FC- He is from Ghana and is not a European National, so the government will dictate his availabilty."
Drabek held up his hand, "Ok, I am lacking knowledge on that- spell out what needs to happen."
Field shook his head, "You don't know about Work Permits? Ok, if we do manage to ink him to a contract, the review board will decide if he gets a Work Permit to play here. If we do get the WP, then he can lose it if he doesn't play enough."
Drabek arched his hands, "I understand now. Is Lamptey worth the effort?"
"Yes," stated Field plainly. "And both the scout and I think that he would get the WP- based on his play for their National side."
"The other one, and like Grogan, I think it would take serious money and effort to sign him, is AMC Silvio Reinaldo Spann- I am not sure why Perugia released him. He would be a great addition in the middle and paired with Grogan or Sisson would give us a potential game breaker in the center midfield."
"Another midfielder who should be easier to land is Chris O'Brien from Droylsden. I am not really sure if he is ready for Division 3- he didn't seem to be when with Chester a couple years ago- but he could develop into a pretty solid midfielder with a little patience."
Field stopped and seemed lost in thought a minute, then reached into the pile and searched until he found another folder.
"Here is a real sleeper for you. Ryan Thompson didn't play for anyone last season after Northampton released him- but I think we should sign him. He has exceptional pace and solid stamina. He would fit right into a counterattacking offense like ours, because he can outpace most defenders- especially at Division 3 level."
Drabek smiled, "That's exactly the kind of insight I want from you Spencer. If you'll excuse me, I have a few phone calls to make."
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