Richie Wellens promised Leyton Orient would continue to fight for a Sky Bet League One top-six berth, but questioned if they are ready for the play-offs after a 1-0 home victory over Stevenage.
Charlie Kelman’s 12th-minute goal proved enough to help the O’s register back-to-back wins and move within two points of sixth-placed Huddersfield.
Kelman’s smart header from Sean Clare’s cross was Orient’s only shot on target after they failed to build on a strong start and they were indebted to a fine late double save from Josh Keeley to earn a precious three points, which had also been the case in a 2-1 victory at Blackpool on March 15.
Wellens acknowledged: “We’ve not been great. Football is mad. The last two games have been the two worst performances we’ve had all season and we’ve got six points.
“I thought first 25 minutes we were by far the better team and passed the ball, some good moves and then we just stopped playing.
“I think you can see little signs with this group that maybe we’re not quite ready to get into the play-offs yet because we get a little bit worried and we get a little bit scared when we go ahead and stop playing.
“Oh yeah, we’ll be fighting but we’re a developing club. No one expected us to be in and around this position and we’re massively overachieving.
“You only have to look at our subs. We’re bring on four subs with an average age of 20 years old. I also think injuries have impacted our performance.
“As a coach, you have 46 league games and want a lot of them to look really pretty but it will come down to four or five of those games where you’re not bothered by performance and want the result. Today was one of them.”
Stevenage improved after a slow start with Dan Kemp behind most of their brightest moves, but the former O’s player was thwarted by Tottenham loanee Keeley in a crucial double save in the 90th minute.
Kemp firstly teed up substitute Harvey White, who had a low effort clawed away by Keeley before the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international gathered the subsequent cross-cum-shot from Kemp.
There was still time for Keeley to pounce on Elliott List’s weak stoppage-time shot to ensure Orient moved up to eighth, while Stevenage stay 13th and have only one victory from their last six matches.
A frustrated Alex Revell said: “Really disappointed with the result.
“Second half we were much better, we won the ball, played some good football.
“Ultimately it is about chances and they took their one chance. We didn’t take ours and 11 shots away from home against three probably shows the game really.
“When you get in those moments, you get numbers in the box and at the end Jake Young has put a brilliant delivery into the middle of the six-yard spot and we haven’t got anyone attacking it.
“In that moment you need people to sacrifice themselves and connect to get a well-earned point at least.”
[(Seattle Sounders FC) Strength]: 1. Seattle Sounders FC achieved 4 wins and 2 draws in the last 6 home games with good performances.2. In the previous group stage of the Leagues Cup, Seattle Sounders FC scored 11 goals in total. They are the top in Group B, with outstanding performances.3. Seattle Sounders FC conceded only 3 goals in the last 5 games with a good defense.4. Seattle Sounders FC los...
[(FC Midtjylland) Strength]: 1. In-form Dario Osorio scored and assisted in the last game. He may get more playing time in midweek's European game.2. FC Midtjylland scored at least 2 goals in all the last 4 games with a stunning offense.3. In the last UEFA Europa League qualifying round, FC Midtjylland defeated Eliteserien side Fredrikstad twice, with outstanding performances.4. FC Midtjylland bea...
[(KF Shkendija) Strength]: 1. KF Shkendija, playing at home in this game, need to go all out to gain the upper hand and are highly motivated.2. KF Shkendija won 3-1 away from home in the last league match, returning to the winning track and boosting their morale.3. KF Shkendija have performed well at home and have achieved three consecutive victories so far. They have only lost 2 of their last 20 ...
[(SC Internacional) Strength]: 1. SC Internacional lost 0-1 in the first leg and are currently 12th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, performing poorly. They urgently need to prove themselves in the Copa Libertadores. This time playing at home, they will do their best to win and strive for advancement, so the team are motivated.[(SC Internacional) Weakness]: 1. SC Internacional goalkeeper Ivan...
[(Rosenborg) Strength]: 1. Rosenborg won two consecutive rounds in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers and advanced to the play-off stage. In the first leg against Bundesliga team 1.FSV Mainz 05, Rosenborg must capitalize on their home field advantage to secure a victory, laying a solid foundation for the second leg. So they are highly motivated.2. Rosenborg have remained unbeaten at home in the...
[(Esporte Clube Juventude) Strength]: 1. Esporte Clube Juventude are currently near the bottom of the table with 15 points, still 4 points away from the survival zone. They are in strong intention of picking up points.2. Esporte Clube Juventude won the last two consecutive games in AH with an improved trend.[(Esporte Clube Juventude) Neutral]: 1. Esporte Clube Juventude drew 2-2 away to Esporte Cl...
[(Estudiantes de La Plata) Strength]: 1. Santiago Ascacibar made 1 goal and 1 assist for the team in the last two games, being in good form.2. Estudiantes de La Plata kept unbeaten in the last 5 home games with 4 wins and 1 draw, being in great form.3. Estudiantes de La Plata have scored 12 goals since the group stage of Copa Libertadores. Their offensive performance in cup event is reliable.4. Es...
[(Fenerbahce S.K.) Strength]: 1. Fenerbahce S.K. have strengthened their squad by recruiting players during the off-season. Their goals for this season are to contend for the league title and qualify for the main tournament of the UEFA Champions League. Having eliminated the Eredivisie giants Feyenoord in the first round, the team must seize the home advantage in the first leg against SL Benfica, ...
[(Celtic F.C.) Strength]: 1. As a Scottish Premiership giant, Celtic F.C. have rich experience in European competitions and a high reputation. They have made a flying start to the season with three consecutive wins, and their morale is high. Facing the relatively weak FC Kairat Almaty, they hope to secure an easy victory with home advantage, lay the groundwork for the Play-off round, and smoothly ...
[(Malmo FF) Strength]: 1. In the first leg, Malmo FF will play at home. They surely hope to establish an advantage. So they are motivated at home.2. Malmo FF striker Daniel Gudjohnsen scored a goal in the last game and is in good form.3. Malmo FF won 4-0 against Halmstads in the last game, and the team have returned to the winning track and are in good form.4. The AH line is -1.0 for the home side...
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