Orient’s new forward looks ahead to head coach Ian Hendon’s first game in charge of the club tonight
Leyton Orient start their pre-season campaign with a match at National League side Braintree Town this evening and new forward Ollie Palmer has warned rival teams he will score goals for the Brisbane Road club this season.
The 23-year-old ended the previous season plying his trade in the Conference Premier, as it was known last year, with Grimsby Town.
He netted eight times for the Mariners in 16 appearances whilst on loan from Mansfield Town and that form was among a number of reasons why he will be spearheading the O’s title charge this year.
Orient supporters will get a first opportunity to see Palmer in action tonight against the Iron and although the forward would like to score, he won’t be too upset if he doesn’t.
He said: “I’d love to find the net against Braintree, I am a forward all I want to do is score goals I’m not going to deny that.
“Then again I am not going to go home and cry if I don’t nick a goal. It will be good to learn about my team mates and obviously you get a feel for it in training, but playing a game is completely different.
“It will be good to build relationships on the pitch so that is what I am looking forward to doing against Braintree.”
Head coach Ian Hendon revealed this week that he would be looking to give all members of his squad 45 minutes at the Amlin Stadium.
Palmer accepts the friendly fixture with Braintree is all about boosting the O’s fitness ahead of their League Two opener against Barnet on August 8.
“This Braintree match is just about fitness, but it is always nice to get on the scoresheet and always nice to win,” said Orient’s new forward.
“The gaffer is going to be looking at a few different options during the game. I think everyone is going to get a 45 minute run out by the sounds of it.
“It is for him to have a good look at us and for ourselves to get that match sharpness in building up towards the new season.”
Hendon had a good look at Palmer last season when he was at Mansfield and Grimsby and the former Havant & Waterlooville star is excited to put the 2014/15 season behind him.
A lot of Orient fans will be keen to do the same and they’ll hope the 23-year-old can replace some of the goals scored by Darius Henderson, Chris Dagnall and David Mooney.
The aforementioned trio have all departed the club since relegation and although that may disappoint supporters, the determination and focus of their new forward is impressive.
He is keen to take this opportunity with the Brisbane Road outfit and appreciates that he is at a ‘big club’.
Palmer added: “I think the gaffer watched me play last season and obviously liked what he saw; he knows that I work hard for the team and get goals in and around the box.
“I didn’t do that at Mansfield last season, but then again I wasn’t really on the pitch. It was a bit of a funny one last year at Mansfield, but that is behind me now. I am here, I am a Leyton Orient player and I am going to get goals this season.”
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