Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens praised his players for focusing on the task at hand as they sealed a League One play-off place with a 4-1 win at Huddersfield.
Orient went into the game knowing they needed to at least match Reading’s result on the final day to ensure they held on to sixth spot.
And while the Royals went down at home to Barnsley, Orient now have a two-legged semi-final against Stockport to look forward to.
Wellens said: “We just needed to concentrate on ourselves. I thought in terms of our counter-attack and our speed in transition, we thought they would press us high, but with the speed we’ve got in our team we could break through them.
“We probably could have done more, but I have to say Huddersfield have some good players.
“I’ve been in that position myself and when you get close to play-off semi-finals and play-off finals you start thinking
about the next game, so we knew we had to just stay in the moment.
“We actually watched Luton against West Brom before the game and some people might think West Brom have got nothing to play for – it doesn’t work like that. Professional footballers are paid to do a job and we expected to come here for a tough game.
“But I thought we were at it and when we’re at it we’re dangerous. Nobody expected us to be here, but here we are.
“How we’ve not got a player in the League One team of the year, I don’t know.”
Huddersfield caretaker boss Jon Worthington paid tribute to captain Jonathan Hogg, who played his final game for the Terriers after 12 years at the club and left the field alongside his family to a rapturous farewell from the home fans.
Worthington said: “It was so important he got that moment for the 12 years he’s had at the club.
“What an unbelievable servant, what an unbelievable guy and I’m just really pleased that he got that special moment with his family.”
Reflecting on his caretaker spell, Worthington added: “It’s been extremely challenging. Probably in hindsight I walked into something that was a lot more challenging than I thought it would be, if I’m being honest.
“I’ll reflect on it over the summer and really take stock of what’s happened in that 10-game period.
“What I can confidently say is I can look at myself in the mirror and definitely know that I’ve given everything I’ve got to try and help.
“I don’t want to dive too much into the detail, but I think people who have watched the games since January, it’s clear to see what some of those challenges and frailties are that we’ve had in this period.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
