The 29-year-old explains what makes Sam Dalby so talented and backs Dan Holman to impress at Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient winger James Dayton is confident former team-mate Sam Dalby will have a big future in the game.
The 18-year-old agreed a move to Championship club Leeds United this week for an undisclosed fee.
Dalby follows in the footsteps of Steven Alzate and Tristan Abrahams, who signed for Brighton & Hove Albion and Norwich City respectively last July.
After working with the Orient academy graduate since the summer, Dayton explained what makes the former Buckhurst Hill boys’ striker so special.
“Sam trained with us regularly and he’s very nice on the eye. He’s left-footed, has a lovely touch and he’s very aware of space,” said O’s number 27.
“He is very natural at taking the ball into space and away from pressure and for such a young lad to do that is unbelievable.
“When it comes to finishing he is so calm as well and Leeds will obviously develop him more and I’m sure he will have a good career.”
Dalby, like Alzate, appears to be a player who will not look out of place at a higher level with the extra time on the ball and added quality around him sure to benefit the teen at Elland Road.
The young striker only played twice for Orient this term with the physical nature of the National League forcing both Steve Davis and Justin Edinburgh to protect the development of the forward by allowing him to continue playing for the under-18s.
It was no surprise to see Dalby flourish with Danny Webb’s youth-team as they made the third round of the FA Youth Cup for the second consecutive season.
With regards to the first-team matters, Orient fans will be hoping to see Dan Holman finally make his debut on Saturday at home to Aldershot Town.
The Cheltenham Town loanee was an unused substitute against Boreham Wood, was cup-tied for the FA Trophy trip to Bognor Regis Town and O’s saw their league clash at Halifax Town last weekend postponed.
Dayton has played with Holman before, during the Robins successful 2015/16 campaign when they won the National League title.
Both had a key role during Cheltenham’s memorable season and the winger is sure his new team-mate will be among the goals again soon.
“I played with Dan before and he is a finisher and a real goalscorer and he’s proven at this level,” said Dayton.
“He got 30 goals the year we went up with Cheltenham, so he can score. He does bring a lot more to the team, but scoring goals is the hardest thing in football and that’s what he does, so I hope he can get a run of games here and start firing again.”
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