Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens gave a damning assessment of his squad following an ’embarrassing season’, as he declared that he had wasted ’10 months of my career on them’.
Wellens gave the astonishing verdict of his side after they avoided relegation from League One on the final weekend of the season.
Leyton Orient drew 2-2 with Burton Albion to finish three points clear of Exeter City, who lost 2-1 to Bradford on the final day.
Having finished in the play-offs last year, Leyton Orient ended this campaign one place above the drop zone after winning 14, drawing 10 and losing 22 of their matches.
Speaking to reporters following the match, Wellens admitted to relief after preserving their League One status.
Wellens took aim at his side’s approach in the closing stages after they settled for a draw in the knowledge that Exeter were losing, pointing out that a stunning late turnaround in that match would have seen the Grecians survive at their expense.
Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens took aim at his players after staying in League One, revealing he told them to stop celebrating with families after an ’embarrassing’ season
He claimed the approach typified a ‘weak group’ and that he had told them to stop celebrating with their families on the pitch post-match after an ’embarrassing’ campaign.
‘The manner we did it, not for me, the last 15 minutes were a disgrace passing it around the back, we did not want to win the game,’ Wellens said. ‘In football you never know, Exeter could score two goals in a minute. It kind of sums the group up.
‘We have a weak group, really, really weak.
‘We had relegation written all over us, we’ve had to wait for somebody else to get a result for us. We concede from another set play because we lack leadership.
‘We conceded numerous goals just before half-time. We concede numerous goals after 85 [minutes]. We’ve probably lost 20 points after 85 minutes and then conceding goals at half-time.
‘So I’ve told them, clap the fans because they’ve earned it. They’ve paid their money all season to come and watch us home and away, they deserve to be clapped.
‘But then don’t be celebrating with your family, get off the pitch, it’s been an embarrassing season.’
Wellens referenced comments from Wycombe boss Michael Duff last week, who had accused his side of wasting 10 months of their lives after missing out on the play-offs after poor end of season form.
The Leyton Orient boss admitted he felt similarly of his side’s efforts, citing a lack of intent during the campaign.
‘Too many players that have wasted 10 months of their career, wasted my time,’ Wellens continued.
‘I’ve had one year of my managerial career that I’ve wasted.
‘Then they’ve wasted the supporters’ time, we’ve not given them enough days to turn up to, not enough good days.’
Wellens admitted there were some exceptions, highlighting the performances and effort of Dom Ballard during the campaign.
Ballard finished as League One’s top scorer on 23 goals, which saw him share a new Red Boot prize with Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik.
The award recognises the leading goalscorer across all three divisions of the English Football League (EFL) during the campaign.