Justin Edinburgh’s intensity has been key to turning Leyton orient’s ailing fortunes around over the past 12 months, says Ross Embleton.

It is a matter of weeks until the first anniversary of Edinburgh taking the helm at Brisbane Road and the club is in rude health, sitting a point off the National League summit in second.

The O’s were just three points clear of the relegation zone in 20th spot when Edinburgh arrived in East London.

Embleton believes Edinburgh deserves plenty of plaudits for the manner in which he has righted the Orient ship and says he is central to an upturn in fortunes.

“We have had lots of different personalities in the managers we have had here before. The gaffer brings an energy and intensity,” the Orient assistant said.

“His priority is on bringing intensity and he is always among the training sessions and brings out a real personality in the players.

“We know we have good players and the majority of them we here last season but he has brought out a character in them.

“From where we were to where we are now is huge and we owe that all to the gaffer, so he deserves massive credit. He has added a level of professionalism to the way we operate.”

While Orient are enjoying a productive season, the battle for promotion remains a close run affair and just six points separate first and sixth.

With this in mind, Embleton is quick to highlight the competitiveness of the league and says professionalism is even more important.

“The gap now in this division is not what it was two or three years ago. The big clubs are not as far ahead of the lesser ones,” he said.

“Most of the clubs are full-time now and what takes you beyond that level, not just in the National League, is having application and desire.”