Leyton Orient’s head coach, Richie Wellens, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance in a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic at Brisbane Road. The O’s had suffered a 1-0 defeat to Lincoln City earlier in the week, prompting Wellens to appreciate the positive response from his players.
The match saw Stephen Humphrys of Leyton Orient miss a penalty in the second minute, hitting the post. However, Shaq Forde managed to score for the hosts in the 18th minute, and he had another opportunity to extend the lead shortly after. Humphrys eventually equalized with a goal in first-half stoppage time.
Speaking about Wigan, Wellens acknowledged their strength, particularly praising Humphrys as one of the league’s top players due to his sharpness, strength, and speed. Despite Wigan’s threats, Wellens believed his team had more goal-scoring opportunities and commended the overall improvement from their disappointing performance on Tuesday against Lincoln City.
Wellens highlighted a crucial moment in the game when Forde missed a chance to score after the opening goal, emphasizing that it could have been a turning point if converted. Despite the missed opportunity, Wellens praised Forde, emphasizing the positive aspects of his play.
He also singled out individual performances, acknowledging the excellence of Dan Happe, who had faced criticism after the Tuesday match but delivered an outstanding performance. Wellens mentioned Theo Archibald’s outstanding contribution and Ed Turns’ recovery from tonsillitis.
Expressing disappointment about not securing a victory, Wellens believed his team dominated in terms of territory and chances, particularly in the second half. He credited the supporters for their excellent response during the game, noting the positive atmosphere compared to Tuesday night.
The Leyton Orient coach provided insights into his team’s strategic approach, praising the front three’s excellence and pointing out moments where the team could have capitalized on goal-scoring opportunities.
Wellens mentioned the debut of summer signing Dan Agyei, who returned from injury, acknowledging that the player’s appearance was slightly ahead of schedule. He expressed concerns about Agyei’s physical condition but was pleased with the efforts of substitutes like George Moncur and Aaron Drinan.
Looking ahead, Wellens discussed the upcoming FA Cup second-round tie against Chesterfield and mentioned the midweek trip to Bristol Rovers. Overall, he emphasized the positive aspects of the game, particularly the team’s response, individual performances, and the support from fans.
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