Chester FC: Title pressure no problem for star striker Matty McNeil

Feb 2 2012 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

MATTY McNeil is relishing the pressure that comes with playing for Chester FC.

The heat is on the Blues to make it back-to-back titles but that is exactly why the veteran striker dropped down the non-league ladder to sign for the club.

McNeil, who has been Chester’s outstanding performer this season following his summer switch from Southport, said: “I always knew it was going to be a positive season for the club because they already had some good players here and had made some good signings as well.

“Personally it’s gone great and now I just hope I keep doing well, the team keeps doing well and we win the league.

“The level is not as high as I have played at but the lads I play with are good and the pressure is on because it’s not like we’re playing in front of a couple of hundred.

“We’re playing to 2,000-3,000 every home game and they are willing us to win. Like on Saturday, I missed a chance and, don’t worry, they let me know I’d made a mistake!

“But that was the whole point of signing. I had a choice of playing in front of 600 or coming here and playing to 2,000-3,000, playing with more pressure and trying to win a league.”

McNeil scored his 12th goal of the campaign in the home win over Mickleover Sports on Saturday.

The victory sent the Blues three points at the top going into a month of matches which begin at promotion rivals Chorley on Saturday (1pm) – and which the 35-year-old believes will be crucial.

McNeil, a scorer in September’s memorable 3-0 home win over Chorley, said: “It’s a fantastic situation we find ourselves in.

“We’ve got a hard month coming up in February but if we get through it and do well in it I think we’ll find ourselves further ahead.

“Chorley will be a tough game as they’re doing well and I’m sure they’ll want revenge for what we did to them earlier in the season.

“We know we have to pick it up because we have lost our way a little bit, although there has been chopping and changing to the side because of injuries and suspensions.

“I think it’s just a case of getting a settled side now and working hard to make sure we improve as a team.”

The well-travelled McNeil has firmly established himself as Neil Young’s first-choice frontman.

The Mancunian, who was part of the Stockport County team which won the League Two play-off final at Wembley in 2008, has played in all but two of Chester’s 35 games so far this season.

That is a remarkable return given he missed the majority of pre-season with a leg injury sustained in the friendly opener against Tranmere Rovers.

McNeil said: “Pre-season was a bit of a joke but my fitness has been really good – I’m feeling really good.”