Chester FC half-term survey 2014-15: Results

Our online Chester FC half-term survey attracted hundreds of responses with supporters eager to let The Chronicle know their thoughts on the campaign so far.

There have been ups and downs: memorable highs include Ben Heneghan's last-gasp winner against Wrexham and the FA Cup heroics at Southend United and Barnsley, while that nightmare start to the season and a festive slump have been low points.

Compared to this time 12 months ago, the improvement, both in terms of league position and performances on the pitch, has been pleasing and that was reflected in the results.

We asked you to tell us what you made of the season to date. Had the campaign lived up to pre-season expectations? Which players had caught the eye and which had failed to shine? Which performances filled you with pride and which had you tearing your hair out?

We also wanted to know where you felt Steve Burr needed to strengthen his squad in the transfer window and who you would like to see the manager go for.

Thank you for the overwhelming response and we will be asking you for your thoughts again at the end of the season.

How would you rate the season so far out of 10?

Even allowing for the late wobble at the back end of the year, most supporters are content with how things are going with 53% giving the season up to now seven out of 10.

For 20% of you the campaign scored six out of 10 and the third most popular response was eight out of 10 with 16%. Comments included:

"Far better football being played which is enjoyable to watch but inconsistencies in defence have created problems."

"Good but could have been so much better with right results against Nuneaton and Altrincham."

"Some cracking football at times and some memorable results. After last season watching Chester is fun again."

Has the campaign exceeded, met, or fallen below the expectations you had in August?

Just 6% of fans rated the campaign as a disappointment with 49% saying it had met expectations and 45% believing it had surpassed them. Comments included:

"Thought we would struggle as it looked like we were building for the Conference North."

"It has been great to watch the type of football we play and hopefully we can get higher in the league."

Who is your player of the season so far, and why?

Kingsley James has been the most impressive of the summer recruits and the midfielder, whose form earned him England C recognition topped the vote with 38.5% of the votes.

Irish winger Craig Mahon came second on 19.5% with goalkeeper Jon Worsnop third on 17.5%. Comments on James from supporters included:

"Adds real energy to midfield, which has been lacking."

"Gives us discipline and shape in the middle. Holds it together and leads by example."

"By far the standout player in our midfield, has bags of energy and 100% commitment every game. A very, very good season so far for him."

Which player has disappointed you the most this season?

High profile summer signing Chris Iwelumo, who retired at the end of October, was the clear choice with 31.75% of fans feeling it was a season too long for the ex-Scotland international. Feedback included:

"Expected a lot more from the big man, but he clearly struggled."

"Expected great things from an ex-international. He was just a bit too far past his best."

What has been the best performance so far this season?

Opinion was split but the FA Cup second round draw at League One side Barnsley, where the Blues came so close to knocking-out the Tykes in front of a huge travelling support edged out the win at Southend in the previous round and the dramatic victory against Wrexham in September. Comments included:

"Outstanding performance by players and fans alike and a fantastic away day."

"Considering we had just lost Matty Hughes back to Fleetwood and Rhys Oates was ineligible, we totally outperformed a League One side on their own patch."

What has been the worst performance this season?

A pretty decisive majority went for the the 5-0 loss to Barnet on the opening day of the season with the 2-0 defeat at home to Altrincham on Boxing Day in second. Feedback on the Barnet game included:

"It was the start of a new season with ambitions we could do well. Yet within 30 minutes it was 3-0 to Barnet and we were down to 10 men. The game finished 5-0 but only because Barnet played as if it was a training match for 75 minutes."

How important do you feel it is that the squad is reinforced in January?

Just 1% felt there was no need to improve the squad with 73% saying it was vitally important the manager brings in new signings. Opinions included:

"Squad is small and needs reinforcement otherwise we could get sucked back into the relegation battle."

"We need to build for next season not this one."

"Money needs to be used on the club's infrastructure and next year's playing budget. Pointless spending money to finish higher up in mid-table."

Which area should be a transfer priority?

There was no doubting where the biggest area of concern lies with 90% saying the manager needs a new striker, particularly after losing the service of impressive loan captures Matty Hughes and Rhys Oates. Feedback included:

"To push on we need a striker with bags of pace, who will literally run himself into the ground. It'd be great to have Craig Hobson picking the ball up and laying it on to someone running on to the through balls."

"A striker is top of the list we make so many really good chances but don't put them away. If we could put a run together who knows were we could finish."

Realistically, who would you like to see the club sign in the transfer window?

Surprisingly there were not that many names put forward and Matty Hughes, who did so well in his loan spell, is the player most fans want to see return.

Rhys Oates, another loan signing, was a popular choice too as was George Thomson, who was on trial in the summer, and Matty Taylor, now on the books of Bristol Rovers. Comments from supporters included:

"Matty Hughes would be my first choice. He made an instant impact on loan scoring the winner against Aldershot as well as many other goals. It was a shame that he was recalled by Fleetwood but to have him back would be fantastic."

How would you rate the manager’s performance this season out of 10?

Steve Burr received a pretty clear endorsement from the fans with almost 42% giving the manager eight out of 10 and 24% rating him as seven out of 10. Feedback included:

"With the budget available I think he has done a great job and if he can move some of the deadwood on and bring in some quality additions, we have every reason to feel optimistic about the end of this season and into next, without the need for wholesale changes in the summer."

"Sometimes he seems reluctant to use subs, even when the team is struggling. But all in all he has been a fantastic leader, we were very lucky he agreed to stay even when we were relegated.

"He's a fantastic manager with great experience at this level. He knows what he's doing and seems to have a strong bond with all the lads."

What position do you expect the club to end up in this season?

A top half finish was the prediction from 59% of respondents with 37.5% tipping the Blues to end up in the bottom half, 2.5% going for a place in the play-offs and just 1% fearing relegation. Opinions included:

"With our current squad, bottom half is about as good as it's going to get. However, if we manage to sign a prolific striker then we may finish in the top half."

"Cutting out a few errors and beating all the teams below us would lead us in a good position for sure. I see no reason why we can't push ourselves into the top half of the table."

Was Steve Burr the right man for the Chester FC job?

An overwhelming 96% believe the board made the correct call in choosing Burr as the replacement for Neil Young. Feedback from fans included:

"Neil Young did a great job in the lower leagues but the Conference Premier requires a different mindset and more astute knowledge and expertise of the players at this level."

"He's done a good job with the squad, made some good signings and most importantly he always plays to score goals and win games."

"We are always improving and he gets the team playing nice football. Hopefully he can work some magic and bring in a proven striker soon and add a little more quality in depth."