JOE Ellul insists East Thurrock United are not favourites ahead of the Boxing Day derby clash with Concord Rangers.

Rocks have 11 more points than Concord to date and have been hugely impressive in their first ever season in the second-tier of non-league football.

Centre-half Ellul has excelled in what has been his first season in the National League South and the 28-year-old is now aiming for three more points at the home of their Essex rivals.

“People may say we are favourites but I don’t see it like that,” he said. “It is just three points we will have to work hard for.

“If we apply ourselves and listen to our instructions we will do OK. I know a bit about the threats they pose – (Jordan) Chiedozie lives over my way and I know about Stokesy (Tony Stokes) and (Steve) Cawley but every team has goal scorers in this league.

“I embrace the battle. I don’t want an easy ride as I will lose concentration. I thrive off of it.

“I do like a derby so for the fans and club it is significant and you always want to get one over the opposition, but the main goal is three points. It doesn’t matter who they are or where they are from.”

Ellul is a self-proclaimed perfectionist and, despite enjoying a strong start to the season, he wants more from himself and expects his team-mates to also push on.

And with Rocks still in the FA Trophy and Essex Senior Cup, the defender, who has four goals so far this campaign, says having that “killer instinct” in attack while being solid defensively bodes well for the months ahead.

“I am quite pleased with how I am playing,” he said. “I always want to do better and I believe there is something else to give. This is my first season at this level and I can be hard on myself as I am a perfectionist.

“People might have thought we would be struggling in our first season in the league but I am not surprised. We work hard, have a good goal scoring record and we don’t concede many either.

“I have always scored goals but I could have had more. I pop up in the right place at the right time when we need one.

“But we can still do more. We have that killer instinct. We are sitting well in the league and are in two cups.”