Italian full of praise for Alan Dunne’s performance at Roots Hall and reveals what he expects from his Orient players

Leyton Orient manager Alberto Cavasin is looking to implement a new style of play at Brisbane Road compared to his predecessor.

The experienced Italian took charge of his first O’s match on Tuesday against Southend United in Southern Group G of the English Football League Trophy.

A goal from Marc-Antoine Fortune in the 82nd minute settled a dull encounter at Roots Hall and gave the 60-year-old a losing start to life as Orient manager.

But speaking after the match via a translator, the ex-Sampdoria boss discussed the alterations he is hoping to make in east London.

“The second half we created two chances. I think when we improve our way of playing and playing on the floor, the chances will increase,” said Cavasin.

“We played against a team from League One and I think we played at the same level. I have no doubt my players are capable of playing on the floor. We have only trained once and I asked them to do it and they already are so it is a miracle!”

Despite not being able to speak English fluently, Cavasin’s humour and personality came across quite well after the match at Southend.

Orient started brightly at Roots Hall and had a good chance in the 16th minute, but Tom Parkes volleyed Aron Pollock’s knock down wide when he should have left the ball for captain Robbie Weir.

The Blues ended the half strongly and Alan Dunne was surprisingly introduced at the break – making his first appearance for the club since November 15 – when he replaced the injured Parkes.

Jordan Bowery tested Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley seven minutes later, before Orient should have opened the scoring in the 68th minute.

Dunne produced a wonderful deep cross and it looked harder for Ulrich Nnomo to miss than score, but the French winger headed wide.

And Southend made Orient pay for that when Cox found strike partner Fortune and he turned Nicky Hunt to fire past Sargeant, despite the O’s young goalkeeper getting a hand to the shot.

Cavasin added: “I’m happy with the performance. We played the first 20 minutes very well – playing the ball on the floor.

“Knowing the team never played in this way, I thought the reaction was good. I think the team will improve by playing this way of football.”

With the type of quality Orient have in their ranks, it makes no sense for them to try and hoof the ball forward like they were doing at times under previous manager Andy Hessenthaler.

Cavasin seems determined for his squad to keep the ball on the floor and there was early signs of that on Tuesday night.

Portsmouth visit Brisbane Road this weekend in League Two and Dunne could get another opportunity after his impressive showing.

“I only had one training session with Alan before the Southend match, but everybody told me he was in a good fitness condition,” said Cavasin.

“There was an injury to Parkes so Alan had to come in and I thought he played very well against Southend.”