The Game
Leyton Orient v Argyle. BetWright Stadium. Tuesday, 17 February. 7.45pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Orient are 18th in League One, with 33 points from 30 games. They have nine wins, six draws and 15 defeats.
The East Londoners managed just three wins from their first 11 games, but a 4-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in October started a run of nine games in which Orient lost just twice, winning four times, also beating Lincoln City, Exeter City and Burton Albion, the latter away from home and also 4-0.
After a loss to Barnsley, Orient won at home to Bradford City on 20 December, but have struggled since. A Boxing Day defeat at Peterborough United was followed by defeats to Luton Town and Wimbledon, although consecutive home games in January yielded a creditable draw with Cardiff City, then a win over Reading.
There followed, though, three more defeats in succession, to Bolton Wanderers, Doncaster and Port Vale, before a 0-0 draw at the weekend, at Stockport County.
The Gaffer
Richie Wellens was a midfielder throughout his playing days. The Manchester United academy graduate had spells across the EFL throughout his 18-year career. Having retired following a spell with Macclesfield in the National League, Wellens returned to his former club Oldham Athletic, to become a first-team coach.
Just two months later, after John Sheridan was sacked, Wellens became caretaker manager, eventually being taken on permanently and overseeing a year in charge at Boundary Park. Having been sacked following relegation, Wellens pitched up at Swindon Town a few months later. After consolidating during his first season, in his second Wellens led the Robins to the League Two title.
Another of his former clubs, Salford City, came calling the following season, and Wellens would leave Wiltshire to join them. During his four-and-a-half months with the Ammies, Wellens led Salford to the EFL Trophy but was sacked nine days later.
Next came a short spell at Doncaster Rovers, before being appointed head coach at Leyton Orient in March 2022. In his first full season, Wellens won League Two with the O’s, returning them to the third tier for the first time since 2015. In the two campaigns that have followed, he has achieved impressive top-half finishes against the odds.
The Squad
Dom Ballard (below) has 15 goals this season, all in the league, putting him level with Jack Marriott and Kyle Wootton as the division’s leading goalscorer. Still only 20, Ballard began his career at Southampton, and spent loan spells with Reading, Blackpool and Cambridge United. He moved to Orient in the summer, and has made a terrific start to life in League One.
Centre-back Dan Happe came through the academy at Orient. In 2017, he signed professional terms and was sent immediately out on loan to non-league side Histon. After just a month, he was recalled and linked up with Orient’s first team, making his senior debut against Cambridge United in League Two. Since then, Happe has played over 200 times for Orient, helping the club win both the National League and League Two titles. He has made 26 appearances this season, starting 24.
Former Argyle loan midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson has started the last two Orient games, taking his tally to 24 league games this season, with five coming from the bench. Bakinson, 27, started at Luton, before moving to Bristol City, from where he had loans with Newport County, Argyle and Ipswich Town. He moved to Sheffield Wednesday, had a loan at Charlton Athletic, and spent last season as a Wycombe Wanderers player, before heading to Orient in the summer.
Previous Meetings
Argyle have played Orient twice this season. In the league, the sides met in the fourth game of the season, with the London side winning 1-0 at Home Park thanks to a Josh Koroma goal. In the Vertu Trophy, Argyle won by the same scoreline, with Lorent Tolaj scoring in stoppage time.
A Strip For The Trip
Argyle will be wearing their black away kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with the Pre-Match Show which starts at 7.15pm, with Rob McNichol joined by Brian McGlinchey. They will then hand over to the stadium for live commentary from Charlie Price and former Argyle forward Garry Nelson.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas, and is available to watch on Sky Sports+ in the UK & Ireland. CLICK HERE for more information.
