O's boss Wellens calls Doncaster defeat 'shocking'
Richie Wellens has been in charge of Leyton Orient since March 2022
- Published
Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens labelled his side's performance in their 3-0 defeat by League One strugglers Doncaster Rovers as "shocking."
The O's failed to have a shot on target and are now just two points above Tuesday night's opponents - who sit inside the relegation zone with a game in hand - as they face a fight to preserve their League One status.
Dom Ballard - a summer signing from Southampton - has replaced the goals left by last season's top scorer Charlie Kelman, who moved to Charlton - notching up an impressive 15 goals in 22 appearances to become the league's top goalscorer.
However, the O's have missed the creativity left behind by two other summer departures Ethan Galbraith - who left for Swansea City - and Jamie Donley - who returned to parent club Tottenham before joining Oxford United on loan earlier this month following an unsuccessful spell at Stoke City.
Wellens cut a frustrated figure in the dugout throughout Tuesday's defeat against the club he used to manage, admitting he wanted to make substitutions after 25 minutes before eventually making four at half-time.
Speaking to Orient's in-house media team after the game, he labelled his side "shocking", "poor" and that he felt "embarrassed" for Orient fans who had made the long journey from East London as Storm Chandra swept across the country.
More than just the performance, Wellens was left despondent that his club have not replaced goalkeeper Tommy Simkin - who returned to parent club Stoke City on New Year's Day - with just five days of the transfer window remaining.
Since Simkin's departure, Wellens has named three matchday squads without a substitute goalkeeper, with 22-year-old Killian Cahill deputising.
Wellens also commented that he was in the market for a new left-back and central midfielder. This month, Orient have signed central defender Will Forrester from Bolton, and Millwall striker Ajay Matthews and West Ham defender Kaelan Casey have joined on loan until the end of the season.
