Former Wales under-21 international full of praise for team mate Bradley Pritchard

Leyton Orient midfielder Lloyd James believes the strong team spirit at Brisbane Road has returned under Ian Hendon.

Under the management of Russell Slade, the O’s togetherness was always talked about and it seems that could certainly be back with Hendon after he watched his side make it two wins from two in League Two last weekend.

James scored one of the goals in their 3-1 triumph against Dagenham & Redbridge.

And Orient continue that good form when Teddy Sheringham’s Stevenage visited E10 on Tuesday as they earned a 3-0 success to go top of the league.

Confidence is high at Brisbane Road and positivity is flowing through the veins of the faithful after seeing a third impressive display of the season on Saturday.

After beating Barnet 2-0, Hendon’s side suffered a late 2-1 loss to MK Dons in the first round of the Capital One Cup last Tuesday (August 11), but it failed to knock the E10 boys out of their early stride.

James said: “We’ve got a good squad and the lads that came in against MK Dons did a fantastic job. I thought we outplayed them.

“I have said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s not about me, it is about the team and the squad. We have got a great squad here.

“I feel like we have got a good team spirit and it has come from everyone. That is the main thing we have got going at the moment.

“We are organised as well and it is good, I’m enjoying coming in.”

That togetherness has definitely returned and was demonstrated by James off the pitch as well as on it.

When asked about the displays of Bradley Pritchard this season compared to last year, the former Southampton midfielder strongly defended his team-mate.

The 27-year-old insisted that Pritchard has always given his all and didn’t deserve criticism aimed at him during their turbulent 2014/15 campaign.

James’ defence of the Zimbabwean was admirable and showed just how close this Orient squad have become this summer.

He added: “Bradley has been brilliant this season, but I think he has been fantastic since he has been here. He is a great lad around the changing room.

“I don’t know where the criticism came from. I totally disagree if people weren’t happy with his performances last season. He was playing out on the right and was doing his best for the team.

“There is not a bad bone in his body and he is a good footballer so I don’t think he deserves any criticism. We see him in training every day and he works his socks off and is a great lad as well.”

Pritchard’s performances this season have been excellent and he will be a big player for Orient this year, as will James – who has looked very classy and controlled in the midfield diamond.

This weekend, James will be expecting to see quite a few family members supporting the O’s as they travel to Wales to take on Newport County.

The midfielder was born in Bristol, just the other side of the River Severn, and represented Wales under-21s earlier in his career, so is excited to play against the Exiles at Rodney Parade.

James added: “I’m actually from Bristol so my family only lives around 10 to 15 minutes from Newport. I expect to have a few of them come to the game, hopefully we can get three points.”