Leyton Orient narrowly escape relegation as Wellens delivers harsh assessment
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens did not mince words following the team’s narrow escape from relegation in League One, branding the season “embarrassing” and labelling his squad “really, really weak,” reports BritPanorama.
The O’s managed to secure their spot in the third tier with a 2-2 draw against Burton Albion, ending three points above the relegation zone after Exeter City suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bradford on the final day of the season.
With a record of 14 wins, 10 draws, and 22 defeats, the campaign has left a very grim impression on both players and fans. Wellens expressed particular frustration with his players’ performance during key moments, especially towards the end of matches. He criticised their approach after hearing news of Exeter’s loss, stating, “The manner we did it, not for me, the last 15 minutes were a disgrace passing it around the back; we did not want to win the game.”
He highlighted a pattern of defensive failures, noting that the team frequently conceded goals just before halftime and during the dying minutes. “We’ve probably lost 20 points after 85 minutes and then conceding goals at half-time,” Wellens stated, pointing to a significant lack of leadership throughout the squad.
In comparison, he drew a parallel to Wycombe manager Michael Duff, who had similarly lamented his players’ failure to maintain form during the decisive part of the season. Wellens noted, “Too many players that have wasted 10 months of their career, wasted my time. I’ve had one year of my managerial career that I’ve wasted.”
Despite his tough critique, Wellens acknowledged some individual performances, notably praising striker Dom Ballard, who topped the League One scoring charts with 23 goals, sharing the newly introduced Red Boot award for the highest goalscorer across all three divisions of the English Football League for the season.
As the dust settles on a turbulent campaign, the challenge for Leyton Orient will be to rebuild and restore faith among supporters who have stood by them through trying times. With the manager setting high standards and a clear expectation of accountability, how the team approaches the upcoming season will be keenly observed by fans and pundits alike.
