New O’s chief hoping first game in charge brings about an end to club’s run of 14 league games without a win

Leyton Orient begin a new era on Saturday when Justin Edinburgh takes charge of his first National League game as head coach of the east Londoners.

The 47-year-old was announced as the new man at the helm for O’s on Wednesday evening after agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal.

Edinburgh’s first game in charge will see the former Northampton Town boss take his squad to bottom club Solihull Moors.

The Brisbane Road outfit head to the midlands having not won any of their last 14 games in the league, and that is a run Edinburgh is looking to halt this weekend.

“It’s a game we have to win and we can’t go there thinking anything else will do,” said the former Tottenham Hotspur defender.

“I want a good start, but I also want to be able to give the fans a performance they can be proud of.

“If we can do that over the coming weeks, then the results will come.”

O’s had been on the lookout for a new head coach since parting ways with Steve Davis on November 14.

In that time, Edinburgh was twice a visitor to Brisbane Road, watching the league games against Dover Athletic and Chester, which both ended in draws.

And the ex-Gillingham manager said both matches gave him plenty of reasons for optimism despite the plight Orient find themselves in, with the club just three points above the relegation zone.

“I’ve watched the last two home games and from what I’ve seen, I’m surprised where we are,” added Edinburgh.

“Especially the game against Dover, it was a game that they should have won.

“The team played really well in the final 30 minutes and the support the fans gave in that time helped.

“We have to give the fans a display and show a level of commitment that will lift them to lift us, and it goes hand in hand.

“The personnel we have here, if you look at the start of the season, they won games so they are good enough.

“My job is to clear their minds and get them on a run of form, which starts by being hard to beat.”