To say Orient fans are on cloud nine after a magical season would be an understatement, crowned champions of League Two, the O’s are on the march again, after a memorable season Orient are back in League one and hoping this is the start of another successful season under Richie Wellens. The O’s have been consistent, determined and at well drilled on their way to becoming champions, so let’s take a look at some key factors into the successful campaign.
Richie Wellens
🤝 The Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Richie Wellens as our new Head Coach.#LOFC #OnlyOneOrient
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) March 9, 2022
On the 9th of March 2022 Leyton Orient appointed Richie Wellens as manager, they sat 20th in League two just four points off safety, sweating a unwanted return to the national league. On the back of one win in 15 Wellens had it all to do, Orient needed stability and fast, and they got it when Wellens brought a calmness to the season, going unbeaten for the first five games, but more importantly winning three in a row after drawing his first two games. Orient only lost four more games that season and finished in a respectable 13h place.
Orient have built on that success and Wellens now boasts a 53% win record, so what has improved this season? Wellens kept with a predominant 4-2-3-1 formation, continued from the previous man at the helm (Kenny Jackett) but has made it in many ways his own. Wellens strives on the principle of performance, he’s said many times, if the performance is there the results usually follow. This has never been truer in his time at Orient, Wellens has prided himself on getting the basics right and instilling that winning mentality. Wellens has been likened to the late, great Justin Edinburgh (by the Orient Outlook podcast) in terms of his positive and winning determination, like Edinburgh, Wellens took over a struggling side and soon turned them into winners and this carried on into this season, in total, Wellens’ sides have only lost eleven games across a season and a half, a mighty impressive record, which of course has delighted the Brisbane Road faithful.
Consistency
Wellens has instilled a side which get’s the basics right, defensively excellent Orient boasts 24 clean sheets this season that’s 54% of their games, an organised and well drilled back line has built the foundations to allow the team to win games and sometimes grinded out those 1-0 wins, which has occured nine times this season.
Leyton Orient Player of the Season 2020/21 ✅
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) May 2, 2023
Leyton Orient Player of the Season 2021/22 ✅
Leyton Orient Player of the Season 2022/23 ✅
Not bad, @LawrenceV93 🐐#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/tTuRRCa7o9
It’s been a excellent career so far for Lawrence Vigouroux bagging a hat-trick of player of the season awards in the clubs recent award night. Alongside 24 clean sheets, Vigouroux has saved three penalties, prevented six goals and has a 75% shot save ratio, an outstanding season for the goalkeeper.
Another contributing factor is Richie Wellens confidence to make big calls, and making changes to his side, not allowing them to be predictable and not being found out once a performance might of been under par. Wellens has made use of his squad this season, 18 of those have well over 1,000 minutes for the O’s.
Tight knit side
Orient have an undeniable commoradarie this season and although their forwards haven’t been prolific this season (Paul Smyth has 10 as top goal scorer) the team has worked tirelessly to ensure they work hard for each other, made themselves hard to beat and constantly been a threat as shown here, Orient have scored goals consistently at different times.
This Cohesion as it’s with many sides fighting together for something has been optimised by different characters within the dressing room, influences which as helped the core of the team thrive, Orient have 12 different league scorers this year, with Smyth (10), Ruel Sotiriou (9) and George Moncur (9) in the top three. In addition to goals, the O’s have had influence across the pitch, Theo Archibald has contributed 6 assists this season, Idris El Mizouni has been an breathe of fresh air in the middle of the park and youthful players such as Jordan Brown have thrived under Wellens leadership. The latter, Jordan Brown has played in 34 matches this campaign and tops the charts for Orient for blocks per game and even contributed a goal on the last day of the campaign in Leyton Orient’s 1-1 draw with Bradford.
One standout player has helped the O’s remain tight knit, organised and well drilled and that comes in the form of Omar Beckles- Captain, leader, legend? Enough with the cliches but sometimes they just work, Beckles has lead from the front organising and constantly communicating with his back line to perfection, particularly his CB partners such as 20 year old Ed Turns which have gained invaluable experience from the O’s captain.
Beckles has consistently performed under Wellens and during his 41 league games this season the fromer Grenada international has chipped in three goals and many MOTM performances. Beckles average over three clearances per game, is second for blocks per game and been the calm head that the defense needs this season. The only stat he won’t like being top of is red cards this season with two!
🔙 Last time we met the Saddlers, an Omar Beckles goal was enough to secure the three points for Orient.
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) February 11, 2023
See you in the West Midlands this afternoon, O's!#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/oEtCBBxCGv
Other influences as mentioned before are those of Paul Smyth and Idris El Mizouni, the latter thriving under this hard working O’s side, Mizouni who’s on loan from newly promoted Ipswich has been head and shoulders above a lot of midfielders this season and Orient’s shrewd signing will have benefitted as much of this season or even more so than Orient themselves, playing 41 matches and scoring three goals. The 22 year old averages nearly two interceptions per match, two successful tackles per match and has been a perfect metronome for the London side this season. To top an incredible season Mizouni picked up managers players of the season, as well as players player.
Manager’s player and player’s player of the season 🤩
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) May 2, 2023
What a season for the brilliant Tunisian that is @idris92__ 👑#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/yApEavkogz
Lastly as mentioned, top cap off the spine of the team, goal of the season winner Paul smyth has had a magical season, contributing ten goals and three assists this season, Smyth has grown into his role after a difficult first season with the O’s. Wellens has utilised Smyth’s pace well, using his as a wide man which has given League Two defenders a nightmare this season, Smyth averages at least one shot on target per match, has exceeded his Xg this season and created six big chances or his team mates, a true team player; added to that Smyth has scored some phenomenal goals this season against the likes of Doncaster, Sutton and his brilliant solo goal vs Salford. Smyth has been a pivotal part of this title winning side and the O’s will hope he can kick on from here.
🤩 In a season filled with worldies, the Goal of the Season debate has been going strong for a while.
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) May 2, 2023
Paul Smyth's stunner against Doncaster Rovers however, has been named your @ETClayProducts Goal of the Season!#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/33YQumyCxV
In summary, the O’s have been amazing this season, deserving of their title, Wellens has instilled an organised and well drilled side, with every player contributing something for the team and it’s a side which don’t make many mistakes. With a core of the team shining as mentioned above it’s a team where there’s many important cogs that have turned and turned this season, with unrelenting energy to secure the league two title.
Orient will have to keep the spine of their team strong if they want to succeed in League One, and with the likes of Mizouni returning back to Ipswich can they replace that quality or even entice him back for another year? The board although keeping realistic have alluded to supporting Wellens who can clearly work well with keeping a team grounded and consistent.
Undoubtedly they’ll be speculation surround the O’s manager with many clubs looking for managers can the O’s keep their man? You can tell he loves being at Orient so the Brisbane road faithful will hope to see him in the dugouts with seasons to come. It’s going to be a huge summer for the O’s who could easily be a mid table side under Wellens management, and it wouldn’t be surprising with the right investment to even see them shock a few teams and push up the table. However, Leyton Orient will need to keep hold of their spine and add some quality to achieve this.
How do you think Orient will do in League one?
Who would you like to see playing for your side next season?
