Leyton Orient’s recent defeat at home to Barnsley has struck home some harsh realities, with the prospect of relegation becoming a real possibility.
A dominant start from the Os came to nothing, with David McGoldrick putting the visitors in front. As the match wore on, Dylan Levitt’s equaliser came to nought with the experienced striker extending his tally for the afternoon to three in the second half, wrapping up the three points.
And this is a recurring theme for Orient. Now suffering 17th defeat of the season, the club sit 21st in a heavily congested table, having conceded the most goals in League One. Exceptional attacking performances from Dominic Ballard and Oliver O’Neill have often come short due to poor defensive showings.
This became clear in early October, when a stunning attacking display away at Cardiff City was undone by complacency at the back, with the hosts running out as 4-3 victors in the end.
And many wouldn’t have called this. Orient were an excellently drilled team under Richie Wellens’ lead last season. Unfortunate not to lift promotion to the Championship after a defeat to Charlton Athletic at Wembley, the team are a complete shadow of last season.
Now, it raises questions about Richie Wellens’ position at the club.
Richie Wellens’ Tenure At Leyton Orient
The former Swindon Town coach is undoubtedly one of the best modern-day Orient fans have known.
Cruising to the League Two title with little fuss in 2023, their initial return to the third tier saw the club go from strength to strength. A comfortable top-half finish while flirting with the play-offs in 2023-24, stern defensive showings, and an impressive frontline delivered a surprising 6th-placed finish last season.
Defeating Stockport County via penalty shootout and unfortunate to lose against Charlton at Wembley, many had the club going one further this season.
And it made sense. The arrival of Aaron Connolly and the return of Idris El Mizouni caught the eyes of many, despite losing top-scorer Charlie Kelman and the spectacular Ethan Galbraith.
However, the Orient still look competent at the top end of the field; defensive displays have been their undoing.
Growing Unrest Amongst The Fanbase
While Wellens will always be a much-adored figure at Brisbane Road, the feeling amongst fans that he’s run his race is growing.
With only one win in their last seven, their coming fixtures are looking intimidating. Soon to face promotion challengers in Stevenage and Bradford City, with multiple relegation rivals in the mix, many feel a change will need to be made if they are to finish above the relegation zone.
Fans have also been quick to criticise their coach’s interviews, pointing out a persistent negativity that is not helping the current mood amongst supporters.
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This goes to show the relentless nature of the sport. Last summer, he was considered one of the best managers in the country and linked to numerous jobs in the Championship. It was a fantastic piece of business for the Os to extend his contract last June.
But now, their defensive downfalls have been a persistent theme despite efforts to improve in the January window. And with relegation looming closer while 13 matches remain, a decision over Wellens could become season-defining.
Leyton Orient’s Upcoming Fixtures:
- Bradford City (A)
- Stevenage (A)
- Peterborough (H)
- AFC Wimbledon (A)
- Wycombe Wanderers (H)
- Exeter City (A)
Is It Time For A Change?
It is understandable to see why Orient have long persisted with the 45-year-old.
His credibility with the club is vast, and he will always be considered a modern-day legend of the club. But, football is a results-based business, and relegation would be catastrophic for a side that was one match away from the Championship nine months ago.
The ‘business-end’ of the season is quickly approaching, with battles at each end of the table becoming more obvious, so a decision has to be made.
Bleakly, the club need a boost when soft-touch defeats are becoming a recurring theme. If a decision is to be made, fans would hope for a replacement to be in place sooner rather than later.
Fans have been particularly critical of the players and manager alike, while summer recruitment has come under scrutiny. But unfortunately, the cruel nature of football dictates that managerial changes are the ‘easiest fixes’ to make.