NATHAN Jarman says competition for places is hotting up at Chester FC and keeping all the club’s strikers on their toes.
Jarman is among a group of forwards striving to keep a regular place in boss Neil Young’s starting XI.
Ben Mills, Tony Gray and Marc Williams are also in the frame – with Young usually picking two from four.
Former Grimsby Town hitman Jarman, 26, said: “There was already good competition between me, Marc and Tony but then Millsy came back and it became even harder to get into the team.
“Once you get in the team, with the strikers especially, we know we have to play well to stay in it.
“It’s not so good for the strikers but good for the team that they’re going all out to get into the team.
“I think that’s the idea from the gaffer’s point of view and if he has that all over the pitch, then we’ll keep on winning games.”
Jarman, who has netted 13 times this season, keeps a close eye on the scoring charts and has developed a healthy rivalry with his team-mates.
Midfield men Antoni Sarcevic (15 goals) and Iain Howard (13) are giving the forwards a run for their money.
“I keep telling Sarce that a few of his shouldn’t count as they’ve come in the Cheshire Senior Cup,” joked Jarman.
The striker travels from his Scunthorpe home for training and matches.
He is grateful that Young has signed Leeds United’s identical twin brothers Nathan and Lewis Turner on loan as it means they car share.
With Chester top of the table and seemingly on course for promotion to the Blue Square Bet Premier, Jarman is determined to finish the job in the final months of the season.
He said: “I think if it wouldn’t have been for Guiseley, we would be getting close to promotion or confirming our play- off place at least.
“Everyone is flying and everyone is confident and we go into the games expecting to win and if you do that, you’re going to win more often than not.
“We’re not that good we can just turn it on at any time, but when we’re at it we know we’re going to beat anyone in the league.”
The Blues host third-placed Brackley Town today (3pm).
Lewis Turner is Young’s sole absentee.
Key midfielder Ashley Williams, meanwhile, has signed a new 18-month contract.
