Conor Wood

[DaveDunmore]

Sometimes you have to draw your own conclusions, Jacket plays wing backs (Theo) Wood dropped from squad . Wellens signs Hunt wood dropped from squad ??

[Top of the JES]

I'm not sure why there's so many that think he's been treated poorly. We're onto our second manager who doesn't think he's good enough, so he's not in the squad and told he can find a new club. It's pretty simple.

Richie thought he was good enough last season.

He also thought he was good enough until the day he signed his old mate Hunt.

If Wood has kicked off about Hunt coming in then fair enough, that’s unprofessional and he deserves his dropping. But Richie has said that’s not the case. Leaving him out of the squad like this altogether is just petty.

The timing is really sh*tty as well. If they’d told him at the end of May he was free to go, it’s a different matter. To ask him to find a new club on the first day of a new season when most properly led clubs have completed their summer business is naughty.

I know it’s not strictly relevant and I know Richie had made lots of excuses for his lack of fitness, but Hint has been very average thus far.

It's the way football works.

If the boot was on the other foot and Wood had the chance to leave Orient and go and play in L1 he would be off like a shot without much thought for LOFC. A very well known player once told me that there isn't an ounce of sentiment in football and he's right, it's a really tough gig. We have signed what RW deems a better option than Wood in Hunt. It might seem tough on Wood but it's the way football works. I hope he gets fixed up if not on a permanent in the next couple of weeks then a seasons long long that will see out his contract.

[DaveDunmore]

Makes me remember even more what a great manager and bloke Justin was.
None of this player unrest or moaning about the fans, have to say not overly keen on Wellens

George Elokobi

[RedDwarf 1881]

Makes me remember even more what a great manager and bloke Justin was.
None of this player unrest or moaning about the fans, have to say not overly keen on Wellens

George Elokobi

You're right , Justin was a great man but I think I can remember on one occasion when he did dig out the fans . I think it was away to Maidstone but not sure. We were definitely away I remember that much .

[Chief crazy horse]

Blimey this doesn’t bode well....joint top of the league and there are rumblings about Wellens' management style and character ? Up until a week ago it was all hunky dory.

[Omygawd]

Interesting conundrum. Ritchie wants everyone bought into his approach including, it seems, the fans. That seems to involve complete commitment and no negativity on match day, fans however want to express their feelings in what is often a relatively highly charged environment. Sometimes those feelings can be negative but they are based on a desire to see us do well and win.

I wonder whether Ritchie’s approach doesn’t much care that signals of unease from the fans might be responded to on the playing side. Cards on the table time for me. For too many years I have lived with a sense of fear and PANIC as well as experiencing the joy of our somewhat limited success. Personally I will buy into his approach and try and can any negativity this season and see where it gets us. He is clearly changing the ethos of how we play and our mental and physical approaches. 6 from 2 is a heartening and encouraging start and it follows on from the end of last season improvements. Most of the players he has are an upgrade on where we were 2 years ago and the signs are promising.

From those of you who think that Ling has the last say on everything (and I am a critic of his in many respects) in terms of signings listen to what Ritchie says about it perhaps being his fault that we don’t have the holding midfielder(s) he wants. He says he isn’t the one who is pressing the button because he wants to be sure that the player or players he signs are “right”. He (Ritchie) clearly wears his heart on his sleeve and there will be times when his filter is lacking. So what, we are very much on the up. The particular incident he mentions is just illustrative of his approach to getting success. I’m buying in, the Season could be a bumpy ride but I think he has as much chance as anyone of leading us to some more success.

[Chief crazy horse]

Agree mostly.....especially with the first paragraph. Seems like we have to buy in to the fact that Ritchie is a bit inflexible and stubborn in his approach to the game.

[RedDwarf 1881]

Blimey this doesn’t bode well....joint top of the league and there are rumblings about Wellens' management style and character ? Up until a week ago it was all hunky dory.

Certainly no complaints from me Chiefy . I just feel disappointed that Connor Wood will be leaving because he's a good player.

[gshaw]

Makes me remember even more what a great manager and bloke Justin was.
None of this player unrest or moaning about the fans, have to say not overly keen on Wellens

George Elokobi

You're right , Justin was a great man but I think I can remember on one occasion when he did dig out the fans . I think it was away to Maidstone but not sure. We were definitely away I remember that much .

I recall JE doing an interview where he said something along the lines of "if you can't enjoy being at the top..."

End of the day if you want a winner leading the club they'll say and do things that won't be all sweetness and light, but it's all done for one sole aim... success.

I like how Wellens has said his only focus is on winning this season. If a player isn't ready e.g. Coleman out on loan they go, if a player doesn't fit then someone will come in who does. Eyes on the prize at all times.

[PKM]

Can’t really see what the problem is.
CW was ok for us at best. He no longer fits, he’s been told to find another club, in the meantime he gets paid by the O’s until he does.
If there is anything more than footballing reasons behind this, you sure ain’t going to hear it from RW.
I trust RW and the management team to do the best for the club.
This interest in CW seems all overdone to me.

[Chief crazy horse]

Maybe Wood is a bit of an awkward character, maybe. But something does have the feel about it that Wellens hasn't handled the situation too well.

[Monkey Boy]

Maybe Wood is a bit of an awkward character, maybe. But something does have the feel about it that Wellens hasn't handled the situation too well.

You maybe right about Wood? He might be hard to handle but no two players are the same, some you have to kick up the backside some you have to put your arm around and that’s a man management skill. Given the choice I rather loose Wood and keep Wellens happy (if it is the case) because IMO Orient have far the best manager in the Division. Having said that i watched yesterday’s game I couldn’t understand his second half substitutions. They had Crawley penned back in there own half for the first 20/25 minutes using a pressing tactic and then brought on Smith. That’s not his game.They then started to play play the long ball which again imo didn’t work. Personally I’d rather see Smith gone than Wood.

[Adz]

I'm not sure why there's so many that think he's been treated poorly. We're onto our second manager who doesn't think he's good enough, so he's not in the squad and told he can find a new club. It's pretty simple.

Richie thought he was good enough last season.

He also thought he was good enough until the day he signed his old mate Hunt.

If Wood has kicked off about Hunt coming in then fair enough, that’s unprofessional and he deserves his dropping. But Richie has said that’s not the case. Leaving him out of the squad like this altogether is just petty.

The timing is really sh*tty as well. If they’d told him at the end of May he was free to go, it’s a different matter. To ask him to find a new club on the first day of a new season when most properly led clubs have completed their summer business is naughty.

I know it’s not strictly relevant and I know Richie had made lots of excuses for his lack of fitness, but Hint has been very average thus far.

You've no idea if Richie ever thought he was good enough. We've probably been looking at left backs all pre season. And he only played last year as there wasn't anyone else.

I agree the timing is not great, but if this was the first time RW could get in someone he wanted, then so be it.

The other unknown is how much wood is on, and whether we're getting value for money with him

[B.whitehouse+10more]

Maybe Wood is a bit of an awkward character, maybe. But something does have the feel about it that Wellens hasn't handled the situation too well.

Just wait outside the players entrance next game and let him know

[Max Fowler]

I'm not sure why there's so many that think he's been treated poorly. We're onto our second manager who doesn't think he's good enough, so he's not in the squad and told he can find a new club. It's pretty simple.

Richie thought he was good enough last season.

He also thought he was good enough until the day he signed his old mate Hunt.

If Wood has kicked off about Hunt coming in then fair enough, that’s unprofessional and he deserves his dropping. But Richie has said that’s not the case. Leaving him out of the squad like this altogether is just petty.

The timing is really sh*tty as well. If they’d told him at the end of May he was free to go, it’s a different matter. To ask him to find a new club on the first day of a new season when most properly led clubs have completed their summer business is naughty.

I know it’s not strictly relevant and I know Richie had made lots of excuses for his lack of fitness, but Hint has been very average thus far.

You've no idea if Richie ever thought he was good enough. We've probably been looking at left backs all pre season. And he only played last year as there wasn't anyone else.

I agree the timing is not great, but if this was the first time RW could get in someone he wanted, then so be it.

The other unknown is how much wood is on, and whether we're getting value for money with him

He’s not value for money sitting in the terraces every Saturday, I know that much.

I’ve no issue with Wood being upgraded. But whilst he’s here, he should be treated respectfully. Even if not starting, he should obviously be on the bench. Especially when Hunt is not match fit and unable to last 90 minutes.

But this isn’t just about Wood. Every other player in the squad is now aware that however long they have left on their contract, whatever form they’re in, they are only one signing away from being bombed out and told to sling their hook.

Football is a delicate enough career as it is without having this additional stress.

[Chelmsford Swimmer]

Wood is no different to any other player on the planet, they are all subject to being dropped or transferred by management. Orient are still paying his contracted wage and he can't be forced anywhere if he doesn't want to go. That said If the manager doesn't foresee him in his future plans probably best for Wood if he moves on. I agree I would have him on the bench ahead of Sweeney, but Sweeney is hopefully one for the future.

[banqo]

As far as I'm concerned, let the manager manage -end of.

[Max Fowler]

Wood is no different to any other player on the planet, they are all subject to being dropped or transferred by management. Orient are still paying his contracted wage and he can't be forced anywhere if he doesn't want to go. That said If the manager doesn't foresee him in his future plans probably best for Wood if he moves on. I agree I would have him on the bench ahead of Sweeney, but Sweeney is hopefully one for the future.

Of course. But come on, this has been handled badly. I can’t recall us ever signing a player and on the same day telling the replaced player he needs to f*** off and find a new club. Can you?

And on the first day of the season, when most other clubs have sorted their squads. It just stinks and could have a negative impact on the rest of the squad.

Sweeney is not one for the future. He’s only ever going to be a squad player at L2 level at best.

It’ll be interesting to see whether Wood starts on Tuesday or not. Or even gets to sit on the bench.

[cockhat]

He won’t.

[Max Fowler]

That’s disgusting if he doesn’t.

[Petrov788]

I think Wood is great going forward but suspect defensively. I think RW wants more balanced players at full back. If its what RW wants and frees up wages for 2 midfielders - then I'll back it

[The Big Shot]

Wood apparently will be back in tomorrow:

https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2022/ ... cup-clash/

[Max Fowler]

I think Wood is great going forward but suspect defensively. I think RW wants more balanced players at full back. If its what RW wants and frees up wages for 2 midfielders - then I'll back it

More balanced like the offensively minded Tom James?

That’s not it.

[Max Fowler]

Wood apparently will be back in tomorrow:

https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2022/ ... cup-clash/

Good. Glad to hear that.

[RedDwarf 1881]

What if Connor puts in the MOTM performance . I still think we should keep him but I trust Richie’s decisions.