Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear reckons Chester FC will be disappointed with how the 2015-16 season has gone.
But the experienced manager, whose side visit the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium this evening (7.45pm), remains wary of a team he expects to improve at some point.
Dover are fourth in the National League thanks in large to a formidable home record that has seen them lose once in 11 matches at the Crabble.
The Blues meanwhile find themselves in 13th after an inconsistent campaign but Kinnear wouldn't be surprised to see them move up the table.
Read: Everything you need to know about Chester's clash with Dover
Kinnear said: "I think they will be disappointed with where they are in the league and I would imagine they will go on a good run at some point. Hopefully it won't start Tuesday.
Dover had lost three in a row before beating Barrow 3-1 at home on Saturday with first-half goals from Ricky Modeste, Richard Orlu and Ricky Miller.
Kinnear was delighted with that performance and his side's form overall but prefers not to look at the league table at this stage of the season despite the fact a win tonight would take them into third.
He said: "First-half I thought we were quite outstanding. We may have lost to Eastleigh and Forest Green, but they are massive clubs with massive budgets. All I ask is they go out and play in the way they have been playing this and last season.
"You don't win anything or get promoted at this time of the year as there are four and half months left to go and all we can do is try and win as many games as we can."
Dover can be expected to retain the team that beat Barrow, although Sam Magri and Jack Parkinson picked up knocks so will need to prove their fitness.
The Whites will be without Jaydon Gibbs (back) and Liam Bellamy (knee) but will otherwise be at full strength.
Read: Blues assistant Jon McCarthy backs players to bounce back against Dover
Leading scorer Stefan Payne, who has nine goals, will be the biggest danger while midfielder Nicky Deverdics has found the net seven times and claimed eight assists.
The Blues earned a point at the Crabble in August with a goalless draw and won 3-1 when Dover came to Chester last season with goals from Oli McBurnie, Craig Hobson and John Rooney.
