Time for a change
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Scuba Diver
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Re: Time for a change
Said in February he should go, but was shouted down by the fan-boys.
Fan-boys much quieter of late.
Doesn't know his best 11, or how to get the best out of them.
His deranged insistence on starting his traffic-cone like son.
Unable to take blame for anything - it's always someone else's fault - even the fans that pay his wages.
Acting like a moron on the touchline.
Players have either a) stopped playing for him, or b) are totally confused as to what he wants. The result is the same.
Insipid backwards and sideways football - unable to mount even a counter attack without checking back to feed the ball back to the centre-backs - like a Division 6 Pep without the nous.
There Was credit in the bank (for RW), but now reached and breached.
Fan-boys much quieter of late.
Doesn't know his best 11, or how to get the best out of them.
His deranged insistence on starting his traffic-cone like son.
Unable to take blame for anything - it's always someone else's fault - even the fans that pay his wages.
Acting like a moron on the touchline.
Players have either a) stopped playing for him, or b) are totally confused as to what he wants. The result is the same.
Insipid backwards and sideways football - unable to mount even a counter attack without checking back to feed the ball back to the centre-backs - like a Division 6 Pep without the nous.
There Was credit in the bank (for RW), but now reached and breached.
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Orientnil
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Re: Time for a change
A great manager has to be a great leader IMHO. RW seems to be lacking in the latter, I agree.
He assembled this big squad and, I guess, played a key role in selection and recruitment. Our best players are close to match fitness and I thought by now we'd be brushing off the likes of Burton A.
Either the squad is not as good as it's cracked up to be or it's not being prepared for matches properly.. RW, on interview, blamed his players for lack of energy and committment. Who prepares them? Is it nothing to do with him?
Nevertheless, I still rate Richie and hope he'll pull it all together soon... But I confess the doubts are growing.
Evidence? Gary Bowyer, Burton Albion, tiny support base and shoe string budget.... 2-1.
He assembled this big squad and, I guess, played a key role in selection and recruitment. Our best players are close to match fitness and I thought by now we'd be brushing off the likes of Burton A.
Either the squad is not as good as it's cracked up to be or it's not being prepared for matches properly.. RW, on interview, blamed his players for lack of energy and committment. Who prepares them? Is it nothing to do with him?
Nevertheless, I still rate Richie and hope he'll pull it all together soon... But I confess the doubts are growing.
Evidence? Gary Bowyer, Burton Albion, tiny support base and shoe string budget.... 2-1.
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HackneyO
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Re: Time for a change
Is he a great manager? At l2 yes, l1 his track record is much more debatable. Is he flexible enough, inspirational enough, can he handle adversity? All areas that people can argue for or against. Unfortunately he’s running out of track to prove it at orient.Dunners wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 7:09 am Wellens is a great manager, but a poor leader. For him to succeed he needs someone above him to hold him to account and intervene when he's making bad decisions and demonstrating poor judgement (such as starting Wellens Jr yesterday).
Something needs to change. Even if the club was to recognise all of this, I reckon Wellens is too far gone now and would resent any change. So that just leaves him going as the only viable option.
All of this is nothing new, and was being discussed last season. The best time for some sort of change or intervention was then. The second best time is now. And the worst option is to delay in the hope that continuing as we are will suddenly result in a change of fortune.
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E10quence
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Re: Time for a change
My main issue is his coaching and tactical abilities which, at this level, is the thing that really sorts the the wheat from the chaff among managers.HackneyO wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 8:52 amIs he a great manager? At l2 yes, l1 his track record is much more debatable. Is he flexible enough, inspirational enough, can he handle adversity? All areas that people can argue for or against. Unfortunately he’s running out of track to prove it at orient.Dunners wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 7:09 am Wellens is a great manager, but a poor leader. For him to succeed he needs someone above him to hold him to account and intervene when he's making bad decisions and demonstrating poor judgement (such as starting Wellens Jr yesterday).
Something needs to change. Even if the club was to recognise all of this, I reckon Wellens is too far gone now and would resent any change. So that just leaves him going as the only viable option.
All of this is nothing new, and was being discussed last season. The best time for some sort of change or intervention was then. The second best time is now. And the worst option is to delay in the hope that continuing as we are will suddenly result in a change of fortune.
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cockhat
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Re: Time for a change
He’s too stubborn. I think he’s lost the plot. The way he comes across - albeit - in pre match interviews he says all the right things regarding tactics and the way we should be playing - the way the fans expect us to play - however I think this is all in his head and isn’t applied to an actual match. The ideas all seem to disappear once the team take to the pitch.
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VeganO
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Re: Time for a change
The general consensus is clearly that he should go. I hope either of the following happen - we go on a great run & all doubts are dispelled - very unlikely or if this carries on that the Board take decisive action. My fear is that they won't.
You are only as good as your last result. It can be brutal as Slot would no doubt attest.
You are only as good as your last result. It can be brutal as Slot would no doubt attest.
- Hoover Attack
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Re: Time for a change
Can you imagine being Dobra or Alan or Yusuf or Big Phil or. Springett or OON and sitting on the bench whilst that clown starts ahead of you?
Can you imagine being Clare or Theo or any of the others sitting at home because he’s taken a spot away from you?
But probably more importantly, can you imagine being one of the starting ten players and knowing that you’re going out to lose because you have one less player than the opposition ?
He’s losing this squad of players just like he did last season. And it’s all because of one reason. The players know.
I was prepared to stand by Richie as I honestly couldn’t see how WJ1 would make the squad this season with the quality of player we had. But not only is he in the squad, he’s regularly starting games. It’s absolutely insane.
Can you imagine being Clare or Theo or any of the others sitting at home because he’s taken a spot away from you?
But probably more importantly, can you imagine being one of the starting ten players and knowing that you’re going out to lose because you have one less player than the opposition ?
He’s losing this squad of players just like he did last season. And it’s all because of one reason. The players know.
I was prepared to stand by Richie as I honestly couldn’t see how WJ1 would make the squad this season with the quality of player we had. But not only is he in the squad, he’s regularly starting games. It’s absolutely insane.
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Re: Time for a change
Doncaster fans said (iirc) that Wellens was great when things were going well but as soon as results and performances dipped he didn't know how to pick it up again.HackneyO wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 8:52 amIs he a great manager? At l2 yes, l1 his track record is much more debatable. Is he flexible enough, inspirational enough, can he handle adversity? All areas that people can argue for or against. Unfortunately he’s running out of track to prove it at orient.Dunners wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 7:09 am Wellens is a great manager, but a poor leader. For him to succeed he needs someone above him to hold him to account and intervene when he's making bad decisions and demonstrating poor judgement (such as starting Wellens Jr yesterday).
Something needs to change. Even if the club was to recognise all of this, I reckon Wellens is too far gone now and would resent any change. So that just leaves him going as the only viable option.
All of this is nothing new, and was being discussed last season. The best time for some sort of change or intervention was then. The second best time is now. And the worst option is to delay in the hope that continuing as we are will suddenly result in a change of fortune.
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PKM
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Re: Time for a change
It’s unbelievable he got 90 mins yesterday
Tbf Clare & Theo are injured, but the underlying point is the same.
Richie has lost all sense of perspective here.
Ffs CW should have been loaned out to avoid all this.
He is clearly not L1 standard. He has some qualities but he needs to make his own way. He’s not a kid, he’s 24 in a month and needs a club where he is picked on his own merits.
Tbf Clare & Theo are injured, but the underlying point is the same.
Richie has lost all sense of perspective here.
Ffs CW should have been loaned out to avoid all this.
He is clearly not L1 standard. He has some qualities but he needs to make his own way. He’s not a kid, he’s 24 in a month and needs a club where he is picked on his own merits.
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E10quence
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Re: Time for a change
If Richie isn't sacked, we cannot be offering Charlie a contract extension at end of this season.PKM wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 9:52 am It’s unbelievable he got 90 mins yesterday
Tbf Clare & Theo are injured, but the underlying point is the same.
Richie has lost all sense of perspective here.
Ffs CW should have been loaned out to avoid all this.
He is clearly not L1 standard. He has some qualities but he needs to make his own way. He’s not a kid, he’s 24 in a month and needs a club where he is picked on his own merits.
He'll be 24 in December - we've given him 50+ L1 matches, we've put him in the shop window, he now needs to p*ss off and make it on his own somewhere. Find his level. Sink or swim.
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Scuba Diver
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Re: Time for a change
Yep. All credibility gone. Either RW needs to go, or CW needs to go out on loan to NL or similar. Both can't co-exist in this space. RW's deranged inability to see this or do this, will be his legacy- which is a shame but we are the sum of our decisions and this one is his.Hoover Attack wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 9:46 am Can you imagine being Dobra or Alan or Yusuf or Big Phil or. Springett or OON and sitting on the bench whilst that clown starts ahead of you?
Can you imagine being Clare or Theo or any of the others sitting at home because he’s taken a spot away from you?
But probably more importantly, can you imagine being one of the starting ten players and knowing that you’re going out to lose because you have one less player than the opposition ?
He’s losing this squad of players just like he did last season. And it’s all because of one reason. The players know.
I was prepared to stand by Richie as I honestly couldn’t see how WJ1 would make the squad this season with the quality of player we had. But not only is he in the squad, he’s regularly starting games. It’s absolutely insane.
- Hoover Attack
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Re: Time for a change
I assumed the contract extension was automatic once Richie had started him a certain number of games?E10quence wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 10:05 amIf Richie isn't sacked, we cannot be offering Charlie a contract extension at end of this season.PKM wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 9:52 am It’s unbelievable he got 90 mins yesterday
Tbf Clare & Theo are injured, but the underlying point is the same.
Richie has lost all sense of perspective here.
Ffs CW should have been loaned out to avoid all this.
He is clearly not L1 standard. He has some qualities but he needs to make his own way. He’s not a kid, he’s 24 in a month and needs a club where he is picked on his own merits.
He'll be 24 in December - we've given him 50+ L1 matches, we've put him in the shop window, he now needs to p*ss off and make it on his own somewhere. Find his level. Sink or swim.
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Re: Time for a change
I can’t understand how PT or Prats aren’t saying anything. They know.Scuba Diver wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 3:07 pmYep. All credibility gone. Either RW needs to go, or CW needs to go out on loan to NL or similar. Both can't co-exist in this space. RW's deranged inability to see this or do this, will be his legacy- which is a shame but we are the sum of our decisions and this one is his.Hoover Attack wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 9:46 am Can you imagine being Dobra or Alan or Yusuf or Big Phil or. Springett or OON and sitting on the bench whilst that clown starts ahead of you?
Can you imagine being Clare or Theo or any of the others sitting at home because he’s taken a spot away from you?
But probably more importantly, can you imagine being one of the starting ten players and knowing that you’re going out to lose because you have one less player than the opposition ?
He’s losing this squad of players just like he did last season. And it’s all because of one reason. The players know.
I was prepared to stand by Richie as I honestly couldn’t see how WJ1 would make the squad this season with the quality of player we had. But not only is he in the squad, he’s regularly starting games. It’s absolutely insane.
To be fair, it could be the reason the likes of MCCormack and Becks were bombed out unceremoniously. Perhaps they’re worried they’ll suffer the same fate.
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E10quence
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Re: Time for a change
To be fair, Gilchrist has been playing at LCB throughout the recent run, but yeah, crowbarring in Charlie at RWB was just self-indulgent and egregious, when so many better/different options.Hoover Attack wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 12:27 am I understand the need for a back 5 to give us some defensive solidity after a ropey start to the season. The obvious starting line up with a 5 was Stevens Gilchrist Forrester Chinedu Morris. It’s a no brainier. But to get WJ1 another game closer to his contract with extension he plays Stevens out of position at CB, Gilchrist out of position again at LCB and then Chinedu at LWB.
And even after culpability in both goals, he stays on, Morris gets hooked and we’re told we can’t wait for Boniface to come back, as though the problems were all down that side.
I’m done with the situation. As good as Richie has been for us, it’s over.
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Red_Army
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Re: Time for a change
We were chatting in thw pub pre match about how Wellens would find a way to get his son into the team, but we didn't actually expect it to happen. I will be less naive next time.
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tattybojangler23
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Re: Time for a change
Was at Burton away yesterday and at the end of the game was expressing my frustrations and saying it was time for Wellens to go. Didn’t realise that his brother and dad were stood in front of me and overheard and his brother started having a proper go at me when he heard that
. Was saying that we would be nowhere without him and to not forget where he’s taken us from/to, and that he would also get a million pound pay out so we’d be doing him a favour if we did sack him. He also said we couldn’t get anyone better to replace him. The whole interaction was rather odd.
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Re: Time for a change
The left foot/right foot CB debate - I’ve always said most CB partnerships are two right footers and it’s no big deal. However in a 3 it is. Forrester looked suspect when he was playing there earlier in the season but he’s now been put back centrally and Gilchrist dumped out there. The back 3 had to be Gilchrist Forrester Chinedu from the available players.E10quence wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 5:41 pmTo be fair, Gilchrist has been playing at LCB throughout the recent run, but yeah, crowbarring in Charlie at RWB was just self-indulgent and egregious, when so many better/different options.Hoover Attack wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 12:27 am I understand the need for a back 5 to give us some defensive solidity after a ropey start to the season. The obvious starting line up with a 5 was Stevens Gilchrist Forrester Chinedu Morris. It’s a no brainier. But to get WJ1 another game closer to his contract with extension he plays Stevens out of position at CB, Gilchrist out of position again at LCB and then Chinedu at LWB.
And even after culpability in both goals, he stays on, Morris gets hooked and we’re told we can’t wait for Boniface to come back, as though the problems were all down that side.
I’m done with the situation. As good as Richie has been for us, it’s over.
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Re: Time for a change
If this is true, that’s really really bad.tattybojangler23 wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 6:09 pm Was at Burton away yesterday and at the end of the game was expressing my frustrations and saying it was time for Wellens to go. Didn’t realise that his brother and dad were stood in front of me and overheard and his brother started having a proper go at me when he heard that. Was saying that we would be nowhere without him and to not forget where he’s taken us from/to, and that he would also get a million pound pay out so we’d be doing him a favour if we did sack him. He also said we couldn’t get anyone better to replace him. The whole interaction was rather odd.
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Re: Time for a change
I read something similar on X (Twitter). If true then Wellens needs to reign his family in or keep them away, as this will make it worse for him.Hoover Attack wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 11:58 pmIf this is true, that’s really really bad.tattybojangler23 wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 6:09 pm Was at Burton away yesterday and at the end of the game was expressing my frustrations and saying it was time for Wellens to go. Didn’t realise that his brother and dad were stood in front of me and overheard and his brother started having a proper go at me when he heard that. Was saying that we would be nowhere without him and to not forget where he’s taken us from/to, and that he would also get a million pound pay out so we’d be doing him a favour if we did sack him. He also said we couldn’t get anyone better to replace him. The whole interaction was rather odd.
The account on X said it looked like his Dad and brother were up for fighting fans (not a good look).
Also there is an air of arrogance about their statement, almost like he did the job single handed and we are lucky that we have him and should be worshipping him and building statues etc.
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Re: Time for a change
Well if he's going to be made responsible for our current struggles, then it's only fair he takes responsibility for our successes too?oriboy wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 7:21 amI read something similar on X (Twitter). If true then Wellens needs to reign his family in or keep them away, as this will make it worse for him.Hoover Attack wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 11:58 pmIf this is true, that’s really really bad.tattybojangler23 wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2026 6:09 pm Was at Burton away yesterday and at the end of the game was expressing my frustrations and saying it was time for Wellens to go. Didn’t realise that his brother and dad were stood in front of me and overheard and his brother started having a proper go at me when he heard that. Was saying that we would be nowhere without him and to not forget where he’s taken us from/to, and that he would also get a million pound pay out so we’d be doing him a favour if we did sack him. He also said we couldn’t get anyone better to replace him. The whole interaction was rather odd.
The account on X said it looked like his Dad and brother were up for fighting fans (not a good look).
Also there is an air of arrogance about their statement, almost like he did the job single handed and we are lucky that we have him and should be worshipping him and building statues etc.
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Token
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Re: Time for a change
It was so obvious that he had to go at the end of last season.
Of all his cock ups, the getting himself suspended for our 2 most important games and then doing that interview blaming everyone but himself and his son, was an instant dismissal offence.
Goosey must take the blame for this. It was incredibly weak. We escaped relegation because some other team did us a favour FFS
Of all his cock ups, the getting himself suspended for our 2 most important games and then doing that interview blaming everyone but himself and his son, was an instant dismissal offence.
Goosey must take the blame for this. It was incredibly weak. We escaped relegation because some other team did us a favour FFS
- oriboy
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Re: Time for a change
But he doesn't take responsibility, he blames everyone else for the struggles. It works both ways.OyinbO wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 7:32 amWell if he's going to be made responsible for our current struggles, then it's only fair he takes responsibility for our successes too?oriboy wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 7:21 amI read something similar on X (Twitter). If true then Wellens needs to reign his family in or keep them away, as this will make it worse for him.
The account on X said it looked like his Dad and brother were up for fighting fans (not a good look).
Also there is an air of arrogance about their statement, almost like he did the job single handed and we are lucky that we have him and should be worshipping him and building statues etc.
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Re: Time for a change
Of course he takes responsibility for our promotion. That doesn’t mean his family members get to argue/fight with fans who understandably no longer want him here.OyinbO wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 7:32 amWell if he's going to be made responsible for our current struggles, then it's only fair he takes responsibility for our successes too?oriboy wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 7:21 amI read something similar on X (Twitter). If true then Wellens needs to reign his family in or keep them away, as this will make it worse for him.
The account on X said it looked like his Dad and brother were up for fighting fans (not a good look).
Also there is an air of arrogance about their statement, almost like he did the job single handed and we are lucky that we have him and should be worshipping him and building statues etc.
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