DANNY ELLIOTT doesn’t like the comparisons between himself and former Blues fans’ favourite Akwasi Asante.

Asante’s departure to National League North rivals Gloucester City left Chester without a 20-goals-a-season striker but Blues fans haven’t had to worry about finding a replacement because in stepped former Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa youngster Elliott.

Elliott’s penalty in the 3-1 FA Cup victory over Spennymoor Town on Tuesday took his goals tally to four in four games - one more than he scored in 21 outings last season.

“Four wins, four goals. It’s the perfect start,” said the 25-year-old striker, who has already been tipped by co-boss Anthony Johnson to break the 20-goal barrier this time around.

Asante did that last season but Elliott says he’s his own man.

“I don’t like being compared to Akwasi. He was a great friend, a brilliant team-mate. But we’re different players.

“I had to be patient to get my chance. Everyone wants to play every game but the managers trusted me to step my game up and that’s what I want to do this season.

I’ve been given that opportunity to go and prove myself.

“Scoring gives you confidence and so does winning games.”

Taking penalties - Elliott has already netted two from the spot - will boost his goal tally - not that the frontman is setting any targets on that score.

“I’ve always been a confident penalty taker and it’s good to have that chance,” added Elliott, who spent time out on loan at Alfreton last season, scoring five times for the Derbyshire side.

Elliott puts the Blues’ super start - they are second in the table behind Gloucester going into tomorrow’s clash at Spennymoor - down to a focused mentality in the squad.

“We’ve had new players come in but the squad maintains that same focus as we had last season,” said Elliott, who admits it will be strange facing the same Spennymoor opposition again tomorrow.

“It’s strange to think we’ve got them twice in a week. But we move on game by game and as I said before, we are focusing on a game at a time - and we’ve had plenty of them in what has been a hectic start.”

Chester’s record in the North East hasn’t been that good but joint-bosses Bernard Morley and Johnson will demand that record is put straight at The Brewery Field.

Home boss Jason Ainsley has delivered a simple message to his players ahead of the game, saying: “We have to defend better.

“They’re a good side with good players but we can take positives out of that game.”

Leaders Gloucester will aim to make it three wins on the bounce when they host Blyth Spartans tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s other games: AFC Telford v Gateshead; Curzon Ashton v Farsley; Guiseley v Hereford; Leamington v Darlington; Southport v Chorley; York v Brackley.