Orient face two fellow strugglers in the space of four days.

Leyton Orient midfielder Dean Cox admits the next two games over the festive period are crucial if the O’s are to get out of the ‘mess’ they find themselves in.

The 27-year-old may have already hinted at a possible departure in January for himself, but the O’s have two important fixtures against sides also at the wrong end of the table.

They firstly host Crawley Town on Boxing Day, before making the trip to Yeovil Town on Monday, and Cox knows the importance of results over the festive period.

“We are down there so we have to get a reaction,” said Cox.

“It’s Crawley at home and Yeovil away and both clubs are right in there with us so we need to claw them back and get out of this mess.”

Only goal difference is sparing Orient from bottom spot in League One after last weekend’s 2-0 loss at Barnsley – their sixth successive away defeat.

And Cox admits performances this season have been below par.

“We have had a frank discussion in the changing room and obviously it is not good enough,” he added.

“Things have got to change, there’s no two ways about it.”