Former West Ham captain pleased to have Nigel Atangana and Armand Gnanduillet even if they weren’t his targets
Leyton Orient player-manager Kevin Nolan is still looking to add to his squad despite the club making two new signings last week.
Nigel Atangana joined the O’s on Wednesday from League Two rivals Portsmouth before forward Armand Gnanduillet completed a switch from Chesterfield on Friday.
The 33-year-old former West Ham United captain revealed he didn’t identify either player, but was more than happy to have them.
He wants plenty of competition in his Orient squad and therefore is looking to boost their depth before the end of the transfer window.
Nolan: “We are looking to add, I have not hidden that. We are still looking to bring players in and if we do get the people we are looking for, I think it can only make us better.
“I still need to get fit and join this team. We had a great bench at Wycombe Wanderers and I had options if I needed it and that is what was pleasing.
“I am looking forward to it and all the lads in the dressing room should be happy with the performance they have given.
“They need to enjoy it, but come in this work and be ready for Newport County on Tuesday because that is where it all starts again.”
Atangana should be fit for that match despite coming off with cramp midway through the second period at Adams Park.
The midfielder slotted in nicely alongside Jack Payne and was impressive against the Chairboys - his first league game since November 21.
Gnanduillet also made his Orient debut and showed what he is capable of, working hard and proving to be a nuisance for the home back four.
Nolan added: “I was aware of the two signings before I signed on Thursday so I knew they were coming in, but they weren’t mine.
“I was more than happy to take them, they told me they were almost over the line so I didn’t want to take that away because we need strength in depth.
“It is nice to have people I can put on and challenge what we have already got here - that is what I want.
“I will hopefully be bringing in players to challenge everyone so we are all challenged in every position and so people are going out there and giving it all every week and not getting into a state of mediocrity.”
Even though Orient’s new player-manager hopes to make more signings before the January transfer window shuts next week, he praised his squad.
They delivered an excellent performance at Wycombe, but he did reveal why he was slightly disappointed with their first half display.
“We spoke in the media on Friday about how we have worked really hard over the last two days with the team and it all comes to fruition,” said Nolan.
“First half we knew it was going to be scrappy and we needed to match them, but we always thought holes would appear in the second half.
“I was actually disappointed with our first half performance because we had a lot of the ball, but we wasted it with a lot of long hoof balls that went just right down the centre.
“When I got them in at half time I reminded them of the quality that they have got and to make sure they started to find feet and if we can’t find feet then knock it into good space.
“I thought we came out and had a good five minute spell where we kept Wycombe pressed in their half and that set the tone for the rest of the half.”
It enabled Orient to seal a first win on the road since October 24 and potentially kick-start their promotion charge once again.
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