Leyton Orient’s goalless draw at Bradford City was hardly a classic, but it might prove to be an important moment in their season. After a difficult start to the campaign, Richie Wellens appears to have recognised that his determination to play attacking football has come at the expense of something equally important: defensive organisation.

The O’s arrived at Bradford following a disappointing home defeat to Plymouth Argyle, with little expectation of taking anything from a side challenging towards the top of League One. Instead, they produced a disciplined performance, securing a clean sheet and a valuable point against strong opposition. There was precious little entertainment, with Bradford striking the crossbar and having an effort cleared off the line, but Orient’s defensive structure was considerably better than in previous matches.

Perhaps the most significant development, however, came after the final whistle. Wellens openly admitted that he had made mistakes in his approach this season, explaining that he had concentrated too heavily on attacking patterns and getting his rebuilt squad playing attractive football rather than establishing the defensive foundations that had served his previous teams so well. It’s an interesting admission from a manager who has enjoyed considerable success with his preferred style, but it also helps explain one of the more peculiar aspects of Orient’s campaign.

Away from home, the O’s remain unbeaten in the league, conceding just once in four matches. At Brisbane Road, however, they have lost four of their opening five league fixtures, a remarkable contrast when considering that the same group of players is responsible for both records. Wellens believes his side have approached home fixtures with an overly aggressive mentality, leaving themselves exposed while attempting to dominate opponents, whereas on their travels, they have been more cautious and prepared to maintain their shape.

Against Bradford, that approach worked. The switch to a back five provided greater defensive security, while the decision to recall James Morris proved particularly effective. Having struggled earlier in the campaign, Morris produced an encouraging display, including an important late defensive header under considerable pressure.

There were other significant decisions, not least the omission of Idris El Mizouni from the starting eleven. Wellens acknowledged that the midfielder’s performances had fallen below his usual standards, demonstrating that reputation alone will not guarantee selection. Dane Scarlett was also handed his first start, providing another indication that Wellens is prepared to make changes as he searches for the right balance.

The challenge now is deciding how much of this approach to retain when Blackpool visit Brisbane Road. Supporters will naturally expect Orient to be more adventurous at home, particularly against opponents who have endured their own difficult start. However, abandoning the defensive principles that worked so effectively at Bradford would surely risk repeating the mistakes Wellens has just acknowledged.

There is still plenty of improvement required in attack, with Orient offering little going forward against Bradford. Players such as Jaze Kabia and Yusuf Akhamrich need to rediscover the attacking influence they demonstrated earlier in the season, while Aaron Connolly’s return towards full fitness should provide another option. Scarlett will hopefully become increasingly influential as he builds match sharpness, but creating opportunities becomes considerably easier when a team isn’t constantly chasing matches after conceding avoidable goals.

Orient have collected 11 points from their opening nine League One fixtures, leaving them 12th in the table. Given the substantial turnover of players during the summer, that is hardly a disastrous position, although their home form clearly needs addressing. Wellens deserves credit for recognising that his approach hasn’t worked consistently and accepting responsibility rather than simply blaming individual performances.

Attractive football has helped define Wellens’ time at Orient, but there is little benefit in playing expansively if it regularly leaves the team vulnerable. The next step is demonstrating that Bradford wasn’t merely an isolated example of defensive discipline, and that the same organisation can be maintained when Orient are expected to take the initiative at home.

Sometimes the most important improvement a manager can make is recognising when to compromise. For Leyton Orient, learning to become difficult to beat at Brisbane Road might be the foundation upon which a much more successful season can finally be built.