Leyton Orient’s FA Cup exit presents a missed opportunity for Richie Wellens’ struggling side

Following a run of one win in ten and an FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Chesterfield, what seemed like an assured start to life

back in League One for Leyton Orient has taken a turn for the worse.

Even the most optimistic of O’s supporters would have been satisfied occupying 16^thplace and sitting six points above the drop zone at

this stage of the season.

However, the recent run of results combined with some lacklustre performances have raised cause for concern in E10, with some

beginning to look over their shoulder at the League One trap door.

The season ending injury to marquee summer signing Jordan Graham has had an undoubted impact on Orient’s attack. With Graham

on one flank complimented by Theo Archibald on the other, Richie Wellens’ side looked a constant threat earlier in the campaign.

Orient are yet to win a league game since Graham’s injury in October and the lack of a like-for-like squad replacement is causing a

clear drop in attacking output.

The O’s have looked one dimensional and pedestrian in recent weeks, particularly against Bristol Rovers and Chesterfield where they

managed just four shots on target across the two games.

Expectations will now weigh heavier at the feet of summer signing Dan Agyei, who himself has just returned from a long-term injury.

The former Crewe man is a more direct threat than Graham but will need time to get up to speed after missing out on pre-season and

stepping up a level after starring in League Two last time out.

Against Chesterfield, Orient fielded a starting line-up with an average age of just over 23 years old and this current dip in form can’t be

easy for a side that lacks League One experience.

Previously Wellens has praised the youthful nature of his squad, expressing his willingness to be patient with them as he enjoys

moulding and working with them.

That tone changed following the cup exit though, the Orient boss describing the side’s performance as a “disgrace” before going on to

say “we need more experience in the side.”

The Chesterfield defeat was especially damaging as the O’s were desperate for a cup run because, despite performing wonders

domestically, owners Nigel Travis and Kent Teague haven’t experienced cup success since rescuing the club back in 2017.

The O’s have reached the FA Cup Third Round just once under Travis and Teague, while the club haven’t faced a Premier League side

in any competition since 2015 when they defeated Aston Villa in the League Cup at Villa Park.

schoole