TOPSY OJO insists London Irish heading in the right direction despite losing seven of their eight matches in all competitions this season.
Saturday’s 38-7 defeat at Harlequins was the joint heaviest beating Exiles have taken under new head coach Tom Coventry and the worst possible preparation for vital back-to-back showdowns with Edinburgh in the European Challenge Cup.
Ojo told The Wokingham Paper: “From the good work that we had done in the previous games, building our performances and getting better and better, that was a little bit of a setback.
“But these things happen.
“It’s important that you review and reflect on it but it’s also very important that you move on because there’s always a game coming the next week.”
He continued: “The Quins game aside, I think it was very evident we were building week on week and getting close to the performance and the levels that we’d been trying to aspire to through pre-season so that’s been really encouraging.
“I think the new ideas (the coaches) are trying to bring in have been well received here and we’re definitely not far off.
“Obviously I think we are desperate for that win to kind of cement the belief about what we’re doing but there’s no question that we’re on the right track.”
After last minute defeat to Grenoble on matchday two, Irish must find a result against the Scottish side to keep matters in their own hands with Edinburgh returning to Madejski Stadium tomorrow (3pm) for the first time since knocking their Premiership opponents out of this competition last year.
“We always knew it was going to be crucial but even more so now,” admitted Ojo.
“I think if we can come out on top in these head-to-heads against Edinburgh then hopefully that pushes us one step towards the quarter finals.
“We know it’s going to be a big game this weekend. We’re looking forward to it.
“They’re a tough team but it will be good to play against them.
He continued: “I guess a lot of people will look back to that game but it’s a completely new group for us so obviously to get the win over them would be nice but ultimately we’re focussed on building this new group of players and getting our season back on track.”
