STEPHEN DAWSON predicts that “a good year” is ahead for Orient.

The Irishman said the unfancied O’s can spring a shock in League One in the upcoming campaign.

“Nobody expects us to do much this year, bar us, after what went on last year” he said.

“But there’s a good belief in that dressing room now, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Dawson was speaking after he captained Orient during Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Spurs at Brisbane Road.

“In the first half we dominated the game.” he said. “We made a few changes in the second half and weren’t quite as sharp. I thought we gave away the ball a bit and were a bit sloppy.”

“But it’s a new team which has been put together and we think we’re looking good for the new season.

“We’ve had six weeks and a great team bonding session in Devon. As you can see now, we’re starting to know each other and barring the frame tonight, we would have won comfortably.”

Russell Slade has made his mark on the squad and implemented his own system, according to Dawson.

“There were some things going round here last year that the team wasn’t fit enough, but we were dominating the game until the substitutions.

“We’re looking forward to the new season.

“There’s some big teams coming up soon. We’ve got Charlton and then Southampton as well. We need to get off to a good start because away to yeovil it wont be easy.

“But if we play like we did in the first half tonight, then it could be a good year for us.”