Going into last Saturday’s match at home to Doncaster Rovers there were two main themes occupying the minds of Orient fans. Firstly, what the hell was going on with our defence that had seen us concede the most goals in League 1? Secondly, whether Richie Wellens really was going to abandon us and be lured away by Luton Town? The very welcome 4-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers provided reassurance on both of those fronts.

We have been saying all through the season so far that with 15 new players, a significant proportion of whom can be regarded as intended first team replacements for those departed, it was always going to take time for the new recruits to bed in and to get up to speed with what Richie expects from his squad. The sheer number of injuries that we have suffered so far, especially with regard to our defenders, has only hampered this necessary development.

At the same time there appears to have been a shift in our tactical approach, with us looking more dangerous in attack, but at the cost of leaving the backline more exposed than it has been in previous seasons. On Saturday afternoon I think we got the first real glimpse of what the gaffer has in mind for his side, and even though it was just a single performance against newly promoted Doncaster, I have to say it was pretty impressive.

The defence looked like they were starting to communicate more effectively, which made them more organised and a more solid unit. Tyreeq Bakinson showed that maybe he does have the discipline to fill the defensive midfield hole left by Jordan Brown/ Darren Pratley, which in turn allowed Idris El Mizouni to perform in the role that suits him best.

Added to that some of our pacy transitional football, complete with clever flicks and intelligent passing and movement, was a joy to behold. I remember thinking to myself as I was watching the match: now I can see exactly what Richie is trying to achieve with this latest incarnation of his side.

Even through some of the more frustrating performances this season our front three of Dom Ballard and Aaron Connolly supported by Charlie Wellens, has looked very lively and capable of scoring plenty of goals. It is amazing to think that despite winning the 2024/25 Golden Boot, in the first half of last season Charlie Kelman had netted just 6 league goals. Ballard’s very welcome hat-trick combined with Connolly’s consistent goalscoring, means the pair have 11 between them already this campaign.

One swallow of course does not make a summer as they say, and the important thing is to follow up an encouraging performance and good result with another one, and then another one etc and to really start to build some momentum.

Going into tomorrow’s match away at Rotherham I think it would be cruel on Killian Cahill if he didn’t retain his spot between the posts after another competent-looking display and an important clean sheet. Equally, while we know that it isn’t Richie’s preferred system, I think we will probably stick with the three centre backs approach. Assuming of course we have enough fit bodies available after both Jack Simpson and REG sustained injuries, the latter of whom was sadly confirmed this week as having ruptured his ACL. However that raises the further question of whether this is the system that we will continue with for the longer term, or whether at some point we will revert to the tried and trusted 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 set up?

Despite the rumour mill going into overdrive linking Richie with first one of his former clubs Blackpool, and then Luton Town, deep in my heart I was convinced that it was purely speculation and that ultimately our manager wasn’t going anywhere. As the man himself said when questioned by Dave Victor after Saturday’s match: “This is not the first time, Dave is it, let’s be honest. It’s more or less every time an appointment comes up at the mid to bottom Championship, or good clubs in League 1”.  

I guess in a way this speculation, however unfounded, and annoying as it is for us as supporters, is actually a kind of veiled compliment and a sign of just how highly regarded Richie is as a manager given the fantastic work he has been doing with us. Although I am in no way privy to Richie’s thoughts and feelings, I personally feel it was a big decision for him to move his family down south last year, they seem settled, his two sons are on the books at Orient, and I think we have all got to know enough about Richie to feel that he probably thinks his best way to a job in the second tier is with Leyton Orient, especially given how close we came last season. In a funny way perhaps we should be more worried if other clubs weren’t interested in him!

What matters for now though is to build on the encouraging victory last weekend by picking up another 3 points at the New York Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Rotherham have struggled so far this season, but we know it won’t be an easy game. Another solid defensive display and some magic from our forward players would be very welcome indeed.

Up the O’s!