The 26-year-old feels he is benefiting from his new role...
Joe Edwards says his extended run at left wing-back is helping his development as a player.The 26-year-old has been deployed at right-back, left-back, central midfield and out wide this season, before finding a new home as a wing-back over the last nine games.
Edwards said: “It’s nice to be able to play one position for a long period of time. It obviously helps me improve my game and progress there.
“But like I always say, it’s nice to be able to play on the pitch no matter where I am.
"I’m always there for the gaffer if he needs me to change positions or play a different role, and as long as I’m playing well enough hopefully I’ll get picked.”
Edwards acknowledges the work-rate needed by wing-backs, but he also enjoys the challenge of getting up and down the left flank.
“You’ve got to be fit because it’s a lot of running," the former Yeovil captain commented. "That’s the biggest thing - you’ve got to be able to go forward and defend.
“You’ve got to want to do that as well. A lot of players who can play there are sometimes wingers who just want to do the attacking bit, or more defensive and just sit back.
“I think me and Jason (McCarthy) have got a good balance of getting forward and getting back, and you’ve got to enjoy the hard work.”
Edwards’ two goals this season came in his first two matches in that role, against Sheffield United and Bristol Rovers, and Edwards is hoping for a few more.
"I got a bit excited after getting two in two,” joked Edwards.
“Hopefully I get a few more before the end of the year, Jason’s got five now, and at one stage we were scoring quite a lot of the goals from the wing-backs.
“Obviously it’s not the most important role for me to do but if I can chip in then that will be good.”
Tomorrow's visitors Oldham have seen a resurgence under new boss John Sheridan, winning six of their last 11 games to claw their way out of the bottom four.
“They’ve got a very good defensive record," Edwards admitted. "They’re going to be hard to beat - they’re fighting for their lives and their League One status and I know how hard that is to play against.
“The games are running out which is the unfortunate thing but there’s 12 games so that’s 36 points which is more than enough.
“We want to be fighting for something at the end of the season.”