Leyton Orient will dread life in Championship for one key reason, there’s work to be done if they win play-offs

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Either Leyton Orient or Charlton Athletic will be playing in the Championship next season, but as we look ahead to the League One play-off final, the former must be terrified of one thing.

It’s been a thrilling season in League One this year; from Birmingham City’s record-breaking march to the title, to Wrexham securing an historic promotion alongside them.

The race for the League One play-offs was just as exciting, though. Stockport County and Wycombe Wanderers fell to defeat in the semi-finals last week, leaving Leyton Orient and Charlton to battle it out at Wembley on Sunday.

There’s merit to be found in either team gaining access to the Championship, at least for neutrals, but Orient fans must have more than a little concern if they do succeed this weekend.

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Leyton Orient’s success this season stems from loanees

Leyton Orient’s impressive rise up the League One table this season has caught the eye in the EFL, with manager Richie Wellens doing fine work.

In the early stages of the campaign, Orient looked like genuine relegation contenders, but they turned things around and made their mark on the top six in the end.

However, the players they have to thank for that success are not even their own players. Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley, Charlie Kelman, and Jack Currie have been the spine of this Orient side, but they’re all borrowed from elsewhere.

Kelman has been in incredible form, with 27 goals to his name this season. But, he’s on loan from QPR, and there’s almost no way they will let him stay at Orient next year.

Likewise, both Donley and Keeley are on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The former is top of the assists chart this season with 11, and he’s added a further eight goals, too. Keeley, meanwhile, kept a whopping 16 clean sheets this term, and even scored a goal in the FA Cup.

Take away those three alone and you lose 36 goals, 17 assists, and a massive part of the defensive line that has helped Orient thrive this year. Throw in Currie, too, and you’re losing one of the best full-backs in League One.

Going into the next division without any one of those players would be harmful. Trying to survive in the Championship without all four would be nigh on impossible.

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Leyton Orient expert shares dire warning

We spoke to Leyton Orient expert James Shearman to get his thoughts on the way this season has gone for the League One outfit, and what the future might hold.

He said: “Leyton Orient’s use of the loan market this season has set an example for all EFL clubs. First of all, the two Tottenham loanees have been superb.

“Donley struggled to start with, but has since shown why he will undoubtedly play Premier League minutes at some point in his career. His vision, passing, and ball-striking are way above League One level.

“As for Keeley, he replaced Middlesbrough loanee Zach Hemming, who had been terrible, so the pressure was immediately on him to perform.

“With an FA Cup match-winning header, an impressive performance against Manchester City, and penalty saves in the play-off semi-final shootout versus Stockport County, he’s had more special moments for Orient this season than some League One goalkeepers would in a decade.”

Shearman was quick to praise Jack Currie, though, who has flown under the radar in many ways, adding: “Currie is probably the lesser-known of Orient’s four loanees. He signed for Oxford United from AFC Wimbledon last summer and, surprisingly, was loaned out to the East London club late in the summer.

“It’s hard to think of a better full-back at the level, and his tenacity sums up everything right about this Orient side.”

Kelman is the star of the show, though. His goals — from the spectacular to the wonderfully simple — have been instrumental in propelling Leyton Orient up the league, and could make all the difference at Wembley this weekend.

On Orient’s star striker, Shearman said: “This is actually Kelman’s second spell with the O’s, and in his first, he wasn’t overly impressive. What a difference a year makes. He has taken his game to another level in the 24/25 campaign.

“The goal contributions stand out, but it’s his relentless pressing and runs in behind that make him the well-rounded talent that he is.

“The bad news for Orient is that other teams will have taken notice. Kelman and Currie will absolutely return to QPR and Oxford, respectively, to become key players.

“However, perhaps Spurs would be tempted to send Keeley and Donley for another year under Richie Wellens, especially if that’s for a spell in the Championship.”

Shearman concluded with a stark warning to the Leyton Orient hierarchy. Win promotion and fail to either retain or replace the four players mentioned, and they’ll be back in League One before they know it.

“Without them, and without some more excellent recruitment, Orient’s stay in the Championship would definitely be short-lived,” he said. “That is, unless new majority shareholder David Gandler is willing to provide transfer funds never seen at the club before.”

We’ll have to see what Sunday brings. Of course, it’s quite a nice problem to have for Orient, needing to consider how to navigate life in the division above. Most teams in League One would kill to have such a dilemma ahead of them this summer.