There are no favourites at the Derby, says East Bengal coach Morgan

HEAD COACH OF league leaders East Bengal, Trevor James Morgan, is unwilling to accept the tag of "favourites" ahead of Sunday's high stakes Kolkata Derby encounter against Mohun Bagan.

Asked whether in terms of striking power and defence East Bengal are ahead of Mohun Bagan this season, he answered, 

"There are no favourites in the Derby. You can't tell who will win in advance. Mohun Bagan are a good team. So we'll have to give our best, as always."

The British coach said that while the Derby itself wasn't especially significant to him, it was an essential element of their I-League title charge,

"I'm not particularly worried about the Derby. But in order to win the league we have to beat Mohun Bagan."

While East Bengal are at the top of the league table with 19 points from 7 matches, Mohun Bagan are right behind them with 16 points from 6 games. Morgan, who has been a part of a number of Derbies during his first spell as the East Bengal head coach, explained,

"In order to be the champions we must hold onto our position at the top of the table. That's what our target is regarless of who we are going up against."

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