Football Season Guide

Chester enjoyed a mostly satisfying last season in which they were far away from any relegation trouble and played some excellent football at times. They definitely showed potential for bigger things but the lack of consistency meant that they never really threatened a play-off push. The natural progression suggests that the Seals should be aiming for at least a finish in the top half of the table in the coming season as a very ambitious and well-respected manager like Steve Burr looks to make the next step. That said, there has not been enough evidence in pre-season that Chester are ready to be anything more than just an average side in mid-table in the coming season. Ian Sharps has good pedigree and should be a starter at the back, but he endured relegation from this league last season and is not getting any younger. Tom Shaw, Jordan Chapell and Luke George are also unlikely to make a big difference to the level of the Chester squad. On the other hand, players like Ross Hannah and Johnny Hunt are given opportunities to revive their careers after poor campaigns at Grimsby and Cambridge last season. They are both decent quality players at this level and Hannah, in particular, should benefit from being a lead striker in the side. However, the loss of player of the season from last year, Sean McConville, will leave a gap in midfield as he provided boundless energy and no shortage of assists during his one-year spell at the club. Kingsley James is another important loss in midfield and it remains to be seen whether the new singings will be able to make up for the gaps in the squad. Overall, Chester look like a pretty decent side and have undoubtedly one of the shrewdest managers at this level. But they do not look likely to challenge for anything more than just a place in mid-table unless they bring in extra quality down the wings and in midfield over the coming weeks.