Johnny Hunt predicts Chester FC will be a far tougher nut to crack next season under manager Jon McCarthy and assistant Ian Sharps.
The previous campaign was a big disappointment with the Blues losing no fewer than 20 matches and finding themselves battling relegation.
Three wins from the final four games after McCarthy replaced the sacked Steve Burr as caretaker secured Chester's National League status and led to the former Northern Ireland international being appointed on a permanent basis .
Hunt last week signed a new one-year deal and is confident the Blues can continue that form into next season and insists he had no hesitation in committing to the club, explaining the reason it took him so long to sign was because he was overseas on an extended holiday.
"I think everyone was getting mixed up; I like my summer to switch off from football," said Hunt after signing his new deal.
"I wanted to sign back and said to Macca I'd get it done as soon as but then I went away on two holidays and only had one day back so this is the first chance I've had so I said I'd come in and get it signed straightaway.
"I bought into what Macca did and when we spoke at the end of the season he said it's going to be like that if he was to get the job and he got it and that was all I needed to be honest.
"The bases are there from the last month or so of last season and I think we can pick up a lot more points and we'll be a lot harder to beat.
"We realised at the end of last season that we needed to be solid and in this league if you're solid you can nick goals.
"Look at Grimsby away, we were solid and took the lead and when they came out chasing we scored again and that's what you'll find in this league.
"What will be good for us is that next season most teams will probably fancy themselves to beat us so if we're solid against them we'll always catch them on the counter attack because we've got a bit of pace in the team.
"I think that's where we lacked a bit of discipline last season as a unit but Macca and Sharpy drilled that into us and that showed in the last four games where we picked up those points."
Hunt featured 49 times during his debut season with the Blues but will revert to a midfield role next term rather than the left-back berth he filled in 2015/16.
The 25-year-old, who arrived last summer after leaving Cambridge United, has no issues with McCarthy's plan and is keen to get back down to business, although admits pre-season isn't his favourite time of year.
"I've always said as long as I'm playing and if can help the team in anyway, I just want to be on the pitch and play as many games as I can and hopefully I can keep my standards up and that's what I look forward to doing," said Hunt, who was a midfield regular during his time at Wrexham.
"I've done a little bit of training in the last week while I've been away and I'll get my down now and empty the tank over the next six weeks and look forward to the season.
"I don't think anyone likes pre-season. I like getting back because I miss it, I love my job and I miss coming in and training with the lads but don't get me wrong if you ask me that after a run I'd probably say something different but it's got to be done and I don't shy away from hard work because it puts you in good stead for the season."
Along with those returning from last season, there will be another face familiar to Hunt when the squad reports for the start of pre-season this week.
Hunt lined up alongside new signing Blaine Hudson at Wrexham and reckons the centre-back will prove a valuable addition.
"Blaine's a good player, a good centre-half," said Hunt.
"He's young, he's hungry and he's a good lad as well to be fair to him and he's only going to add to the team and it's a good signing."
