Northern Irish midfielder has insisted he will turn things around after difficult start to life at Brisbane Road

Leyton Orient’s interim manager Andy Edwards has backed Robbie Weir to bounce back from his latest disappointment.

The 27-year-old was sent off after 20 seconds last night against League Two leaders Plymouth Argyle.

Weir caught Ben Purrington late and high near the touchline, but referee Charles Breakspear should have shown a yellow card at most.

He pulled out a red instead and the ex-Burton Albion midfielder could now miss the next three matches.

“I know what a good player Robbie is. The club did its research in signing him. He has come from Burton Albion where he had a double promotion and you can see why when you know the man. You know why he had that,” said Edwards.

“Robbie has had setbacks in terms of illness and that has been tough for him. For him to get sent off against Plymouth was a cruel blow and one that was completely unfair.

“We wanted the lads pumped up and talked about fighting for every ball and Robbie did that. Yes it was a foul. Was it a yellow card? Maybe, but was it a sending off? Not in a million years for me.”

Orient’s captain took to Twitter after his red to apologise and insisted he will come back stronger.

Weir said: “I don’t normally write anything on here but think it’s time to. Since I’ve joined the club I have been awful.

“And when you think it can’t get any worst – it does! I would like to apologise to everyone associated with the club. I will turn this around.”

It was an extremely honest and heartfelt message from Weir and shows his determination to succeed at Orient.

During the start of pre-season he looked the complete midfielder and a real leader on the pitch even before he was officially appointed as skipper.

Some of his passing in the stalemate with Charlton Athletic was of the highest quality and O’s appeared to have made an excellent signing at that stage.

I still think they have and I firmly believe Weir will turn around what has been a poor start to life in east London.

The illness at the beginning of the campaign hit him badly and he has struggled for consistency ever since.

But Weir is determined to be a hit at Brisbane Road and judging his past, two promotions at Burton Albion, you wouldn’t bet against him achieving that.