Ex-Bristol Rovers captain looks back on defeat to Plymouth Argyle and previews Southend United

East London Advertiser: Andy Edwards urges Leyton Orient on at Barnet (pic: Simon O'Connor).Andy Edwards urges Leyton Orient on at Barnet (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient defender Tom Parkes paid tribute to Andy Edwards after the goalless draw with Barnet.

The 24-year-old played his part in the League Two stalemate and could start in tonight’s EFL Trophy match at Southend United.

Alberto Cavasin will take charge of the tie – his first as O’s manager – but Parkes praised the impact of Edwards.

He said: “Andy gave us little clips and information on Barnet players and we watched that and knew what we were coming into.

“John Akinde is probably one of their main players and a main threat, but I thought watching clips on him helped us massively.

“We got a point and we haven’t got to worry about Portsmouth coming up on Saturday yet.

“First we have to look towards Southend. If we can get a result there and then hopefully we can take it into the weekend’s match.”

The ex-Bristol Rovers captain went on to discuss what effect last Tuesday’s match against Plymouth Argyle had on the squad.

Even though Orient were reduced to nine men after 14 minutes, they battled and showed great character before suffering a 2-0 defeat.

Parkes added: “It’s been brilliant working under Andy. Tuesday night against Plymouth brought us all together a little bit more.

“Not that it should have because we was always tight as a group, but we went down to nine men and you could see how tight we were and that showed on Saturday as well.”

What O’s managed last weekend was to keep their first clean sheet since August 16 and just their second of the season.

Parkes knows how important it is for Orient to build on that this evening and in the league campaign.

“We have always said we need to keep more clean sheets. If you do that it gives you more of an opportunity to go on and win the game,” said the former Leicester City trainee.

“As a team we defended brilliantly against Barnet and that is why we got a nice clean sheet in the end.”

If they can get another tonight at Southend it would represent a decent start for new O’s boss Cavasin.