Leyton Orient expect tough test from big club Barnsley

O’s moved up to 10th in the table with a 1-0 win at Carlisle United last weekend – thanks to Ruel Sotiriou’s 21st-minute goal.

Third-placed Barnsley saw their home fixture against Bolton postponed due to international call-ups, but Wellens is not looking at the standings just yet.

“Tough game, big club at this level,” he told the club website.

“Always in and around the promotion. Whoever manages Barnsley in League One, tend to do really well.

“Good forward-thinking club, recruited really well, sell players on, so it’ll be a tough test. But we’re at home and we do fancy ourselves.

“I do think in the next seven or eight games the league table will take shape a little bit more.

“I’m pleased with our last nine games because our points return has been promotion form, after a tough start.”

Sotiriou ran onto Joe Pigott’s through ball to net his fifth goal of the campaign at Brunton Park – before O’s were handed a home tie against the Cumbrians in the FA Cup first-round draw.

But although securing maximum points from their 600-mile round trip, Wellens was not totally happy.

“We’re a lot better than what we’ve shown today,” he added.

“At times we were panicky, rushing clearances, and their biggest threat was when we’re countering and look like scoring and turn the ball over, then they’re straight back at us.

“Too many times it was like a game of basketball. Sometimes in the first half, but a lot in the second half.

“It should’ve been a game for us, passing the ball, but we just never passed the ball. We turned it into more of a dogfight.”