JOHN Coventry says he would put money on Concord Rangers to beat his East Thurrock United side tonight, if he were allowed to bet on matches.

The Rocks manager is far from impressed with recent performances in the National League South. East Thurrock have won just twice in the league in 2018 and slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Chippenham Town on Saturday.

Coventry’s men return to the pitch tonight at Concord, who are in need of points themselves.

But despite sitting seven points and four places above the 18th placed Beach Boys, Coventry said he believes their Canvey-based opponents are more likely to win tonight’s re-arranged clash.

“If I was allowed to bet on football I would bet on them,” said a frustrated Coventry. “If we aspire to do well tonight we need to go to a game and approach it with a good attitude, we need to work as hard as we can and at the end we will see where we are.

“I would have expected a lot more on Saturday and I didn’t get it. They looked like Real Madrid at times and there are better teams in the league than Chippenham, with respect of course.

“Concord are in a position like us. We both desperately want a win and we both want three points in this game.”

East Thurrock, who briefly occupied top spot in the league earlier this season, were victorious in their last away match - triumphing 2-0 at Bognor Regis.

But Coventry says he has to take responsibility for the defeats, along with his players.

“We look at the big picture,” he said. “We started well and that is very lucky. There have been key people missing at key times, the form and attitude hasn’t been good and we have had this group, in the main, for a while now.

“I would not say we are a good team at the moment.

“If I want to take plaudits in the FA Cup and FA Trophy you take responsibility for the other side of things.”

>The match at the Aspect Arena is free entry for supporters.