Omer Riza has been impressed by Leyton Orient’s unbeaten start to the season and praised Justin Edinburgh for the "structure" he has implemented at Brisbane Road.

Saturday’s 3-0 win over Harrogate Town meant Orient rose to the top of the table following an unbeaten start to the season which has seen them beat the likes of Chesterfield and Barnet, who were among the pre-season favourites for promotion, as well as last year’s Play Off finalists Boreham Wood.

The O’s have been on the rise ever since Edinburgh’s appointment back in November and finished last campaign strongly under the 48-year-old, losing just two of their last eight games.

The former Northampton Town boss made minimal changes to the squad over the summer, with James Alabi, Dale Gorman and Levi Lumeka the only new additions, and that theme of consistency has remained during the early weeks of the campaign, with Edinburgh naming an unchanged starting line-up for eight games in a row.

Riza, who enjoyed a brief spell as O’s manager in 2017 following Danny Webb’s departure, has been impressed by that consistency and believes that trait will serve Orient well in their quest for promotion this season.

Riza said: “They’ve started very well and we’re all happy to see that because from where they were and where they are now, it’s nice to be more stable. There’s a long way to go in the season still as we know and football is a game of consistency.

“They’re unbeaten at the moment and are picking up results and it’s important that when you’re not playing great that you’re picking up results. It’s also important that when you are playing well that you’re getting results and it seems to be going that way for Orient at the moment.

“They’ve had a great start to the season. It seems like Justin (Edinburgh) has been able to give them some structure and some consistency which is important and hopefully that will continue. It’s nice to see some of the young lads playing as well. It’s nice to see and hopefully it will continue.”

As well as their consistent performances on the pitch, Orient have shown plenty of character during the early weeks of the season, fighting back to score late equalisers against Salford City, Gateshead and Halifax Town, while also grinding out slender wins over Chesterfield as well as Boreham Wood.

That infectious team spirit among the squad has translated to the stands as well and there is certainly a real feel good factor building at Brisbane Road.

Riza, who now works as an academy coach for Premier League side Watford, believes that team spirit will be crucial during Orient’s promotion bid and says it is important that each member of the squad feels a part of the success on the pitch.

The 38-year-old said: “I don’t think the unbeaten start is such an important factor. Being unbeaten is great but it’s how they deal with the fact that sometimes when you’re unbeaten, the pressure is on to keep that run going.

“When they do lose a game, which they will do, it’s how they react to that and whether they are able to go on another long unbeaten run. The whole league is about consistency and churning out results.

“In my opinion, they just need to keep doing what they are doing. They have a good team spirit and as long as that doesn’t disappear and if people are happy to be in and out at times, than that’s important.

“It’s important to keep the squad happy, not just the eleven, because they will be needed and called upon. Providing that happens, it will be nice to see them stay where they are and get promoted. They’ve started brilliantly and hopefully, they can continue.”