A piece from our recent Kick-Off pullout, where 19-year-old Josh Koroma discusses the influence of the Orient manager

East London Advertiser: Josh Koroma celebrates with Leyton Orient team-mate Marvin Ekpiteta (pic: Simon O'Connor).Josh Koroma celebrates with Leyton Orient team-mate Marvin Ekpiteta (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Josh Koroma has praised the impact manager Justin Edinburgh has had on himself and other youngsters in the first-team set-up at Leyton Orient.

The O’s have trimmed down their squad over the last few months with some academy graduates moving on as a result, such as Michael Clark and Aron Pollock.

Orient still have a number of teens at E10 and Koroma’s form at the back end of the past term and during pre-season has ensured he is an integral part of Edinburgh’s plans for this campaign.

After flourishing under the O’s head coach so far, the attacker is keen to kick on some more and pay him back with strong displays in the National League this year.

“The gaffer’s confidence fills me with confidence and not just me, but all of the young players,” said England C player Koroma.

“He praises me and them a lot, so it fills us with confidence and I am just trying to repay him by playing well.”

Koroma did exactly that during pre-season with the 19-year-old scoring on seven occasions to end as Orient’s top goalscorer.

Now the competitive action is underway he will hope to be as prolific and also improve on his six-goal tally from last term.

The Londoner struggled in the opening months of the 2017/18 campaign and didn’t get off the mark until January 13 away to Bognor Regis Town in the second round of the FA Trophy.

An extra-time winner proved to be a turning point for Koroma in not only the season, but perhaps in his O’s career with Edinburgh giving him further opportunities afterwards.

The teenager didn’t disappoint and this time around he is keen to make an early impact, adding: “I came back for pre-season and just tried to work really hard.

“I don’t want a slow start again, I want to be playing as much as possible and scoring as many goals as I can as soon as possible.”

Koroma looked sharp from the moment he was back in an Orient shirt this summer – scoring four in a 7-0 win at Harlow Town.

But afterwards in friendlies at East Thurrock United, Concord Rangers and St Albans City, the one-time academy star didn’t rest on his laurels and continued to catch the eye.

He feels the club’s time away in the Algarve has made a big difference in terms of their fitness and may be crucial.

“Portugal was very tough. We were doing three sessions a day and the gaffer tested us a lot, but the boys got through it together and it will help,” said Koroma.

Orient’s team spirit seems excellent and no doubt the time abroad played a part in this and everyone at O’s will hope it contributes towards future success.