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The best time of the year for most EFL fans is upon us as the play-offs across all three divisions commence, with two exciting battles taking centre stage in League One.
An enthralling campaign in the third tier saw Birmingham City win the League One title at a record-breaking pace, while Wrexham won a historic promotion to the Championship.
It was a nail-biting end to the season when it came to deciding who would finish second. Stockport County were in with a late shout of finishing in the automatic promotion places but were made to settle for the play-offs.
Leyton Orient, on the other hand, have had a weird season by all accounts. A relegation battle under Richie Wellens was anticipated initially, but an incredible run of form saw them skyrocket up the division, ending the season in sixth.
The O’s now host Stockport in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final, and Wellens has sent a rallying cry ahead of the clash on Saturday afternoon.
- READ MORE: Dave Challinor could surprise Stockport County fans with one pre-match decision vs Leyton Orient
Richie Wellens sends a defiant message ahead of Leyton Orient vs Stockport
Stockport may have rocketed up the divisions under Dave Challinor but Wellens deserves credit for the job he’s done at Brisbane Road.
The former Leicester City midfielder won promotion with Orient from League Two in 2023, since establishing themselves as a top half team in the third tier.
In the normal season, Stockport finished eight points above Leyton Orient and will enter this contest arguably as favourites.
But, despite defying expectations to finish in the top six, Wellens’ men aren’t just there to make up the numbers, sending a defiant message in his pre-match press conference.
“The momentum will shift to and from over 180 minutes, so who handles them and adapts it in the best way will go through,” Wellens said via BBC Sport.
“These are passionate games. It’s all on the line. We know after these two games there’s no tomorrow, only if you win, so we’ll make sure we handle them.
“We’ve achieved absolutely nothing yet. We’re not here for an extra two weeks, just to enjoy it and say, ‘Oh, everybody thinks Leyton Orient have done great just because they got in the play-offs.’ We’re here to win them.”
Charlie Kelman is key to Leyton Orient’s chances
It’s home advantage in the first leg for Leyton Orient, with Wellens perhaps seeing this as a huge chance to take a lead to Stockport.
| Rank | Name | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C. Kelman (Leyton Orient | 21 | 5 |
| 2 | J. Stansfield (Birmingham City) | 19 | 3 |
| 3 | D. Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley) | 18 | 7 |
| 3 | R. Kone (Wycombe) | 18 | 3 |
| 3 | S. Smith (Wrexham) | 18 | 2 |
| 3 | M. Godden (Charlton) | 18 | 1 |
Queens Park Rangers loanee Charlie Kelman has been in the form of his life this term, clinching the League One Golden Boot with 21 goals, finishing ahead of £15 million striker Jay Stansfield.
Kelman has turned up in the big games during his loan, and ahead of returning to QPR, he can see his stock and value rocket if he fires Orient to a fairytale promotion.