Orient boss reflects on 1-0 success against Newport County and his first competitive appearance since August

Leyton Orient player-manager Kevin Nolan is keen for the positivity at the club to continue after another win this evening.

The O’s registered back-to-back victories in League Two for the first time since August after Jay Simpson’s late penalty defeated Newport County.

It was far from a classic at Brisbane Road, but the home supporters didn’t care come full time with the result moving them back into the play-off positions.

Nolan has enjoyed a fantastic start to life as a manager and made his debut too in the final 10 minutes against the Exiles.

“You can see tough it was for the players tonight and they have dug in,” said the Orient player-manager.

“We have a lot of expectation now because I am here and with what we want to do, but bit by bit I will implement what we want and how we want to play.

“They have taken on board everything I have said over the last five or six days and that is the pleasing aspect for me. I know they can do it so now it is down to them to make sure the standards they have set remain.

“I told them I don’t want us to be looking around or behind us, we need to keep looking up and keep the positive attitude and mentality going forward.”

Nolan admits management is enjoyable when you are successful, but does appreciated tougher times will be ahead.

He was thrilled to see the O’s register another clean sheet in the division, though, and felt that was key to their three points.

“You are going to enjoy it when the lads are doing what you ask of them. By no means was I happy with how we dealt with the ball today, we could do a lot better with the quality we have in the squad,” added Nolan.

“In the second half we were a lot better than we were in the first half. We have probably had the most clear cut opportunities to score, but the most pleasing aspect is the two clean sheets on the spin.

“When I come in here it was ‘if you are going to win a game, you’ll have to score more than one goal’ but now, as you have seen tonight, last 10 minutes we have scored, kept a clean sheet and that gets you the three points.

“The lads are all buzzing and I told them that is what it feels like when you don’t play well, but you get that 1-0 win. It feels just as good as when you are playing well and tearing people apart on the pitch.”

On his first competitive appearance since August, Nolan admitted he did well for Newport and not Orient!

He conceded it has been tough with three matches to prepare for in the week, but thanked goalkeeper coach Lee Harrison and current assistant manager Andy Hessenthaler for all their help.

“I done well for Newport today, no I enjoyed it I must admit, but it is a totally different type of environment to when you are training every day,” said Nolan.

“There is obviously things I need to work on and it is going to be hard work having to juggle both – it is tough trying to get out on the park as well pick the team for the Saturday, but I am juggling fine.

“The two lads Harrison and Hessy have been fantastic as well as all the boys behind them like the analyst, the physio and the fitness coach. Hats off to them, they have been brilliant and made my transition so smooth.

“It is going to be tough, but I am looking to get back in a couple of weeks. We have a game next week behind closed doors, which I am hoping to be involved in.”

Nolan also revealed post match that the club have signed Peterborough defender Shaun Brisley, but Orient are yet to confirm the deal.