BEN CHORLEY believes O's boss Russell Slade is doing a fine job of rebuilding the Brisbane Road side's squad ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.
Chorley is just one of eight survivors from last season's senior squad and he has spent the first week of pre-season getting to know a whole raft of new faces.
Slade has already made nine new signings as the east Londoners look to build on last year's 17th place finish in npower League 1.
27-year-old defender Chorley, a summer 2009 arrival from Tranmere Rovers, has been impressed with what he's seen and he reckons the new look O's will possess the right qualities to progress.
"There's definitely a feeling of positivity here looking ahead to the new season," he said.
"We ended last year with top ten in the table sort of form - the gaffer came in, did well and sorted a few things out.
"You can see from the people he's brought in that there's a few characters and leaders there. Five or six captains on the pitch is what you need.
"So we're looking forward to it. There's a lot of optimism, and I think with the work ethic that the gaffer shows and that he wants from us we'll be more than fine."
After an opening day trip to Yeovil Town, Orient continue their start to the new League campaign with matches against two of the division's favourites for promotion in Charlton Athletic and Southampton.
The Sky Sports cameras will be in attendance for the Brisbane Road meeting with the Addicks and Chorley is relishing the chance to lock horns with fancied opposition so early.
He added: "It'll be a tough start, but you've got to enjoy those type of games and embrace them.
"That's especially true of the Charlton game. Chartton on Sky last year was brilliant, it started our little turnaround. Southampton's a lovely place to go to - you're not going to play on a better pitch anywhere in England, so if you can't go there and enjoy it you've got no chance.
"We'll enjoy it and it would be great to get points from them early on. Charlton won't want to come to Leyton Orient on a Friday night on Sky.
"They're going to be measured by those games, whether they want to stand up and be counted.
"That's something we're certainly going to be this year. We're going to be strong mentally and physically, and we're going to be very tough to beat."
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