While it has been an up and down start for Chester FC, boss Jon McCarthy believes that it is just where the Blues are at as a club.
On Monday, for the second time this season, the Blues failed to follow up an impressive victory with another positive result as they were beaten 3-1 at struggling Woking two days after seeing off high-flying Sutton United 4-0.
A similar story happened earlier last month when a 3-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge was followed by a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Maidstone United.
McCarthy believes the inconsistent form is nothing new for Chester and something they have been experiencing ever since promotion to the National League in 2013 but insists that there are signs that this season could be more positive with the Blues faring well against some of the more fancied sides.
"Is it inconsistencies or is it where we're at?" said the Blues manager.
"Is it inconsistent when that has been this football club for the last three seasons since they came into the National League? What they haven't done in the time I've been here is beat the teams in the middle of the league or at the top of the league. So, actually, I think there is a changing pattern there and we've done that."
McCarthy stressed the importance of winning games against teams around them and admitted that Monday's loss at Woking was concerning but put it down to a blip and remained confident his side will be able to push on.
Said the Blues boss: "What we have always done since I have been here is beat those teams in that mini league around us at the bottom, we've always done that. To lose to Woking is concerning.
"But on the other side of that we have beaten sides in the top six.
"If we count Woking as bit of a blip. From a big effort Saturday to a long journey Monday and some fine margins that took the game away from us, if we count it as a blip and this club is able to pick points against those teams in the mini league and also those in the top half of the table then it actually sets it up for being a good season. That's where we are at.
"I get how people are and it is not to avoid the situation but there is some science here of something positive rather that focusing on inconsistencies and negatives."
Chester play host to second-placed Forest Green Rovers on Saturday at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium (3pm), with Mark Cooper's side coming into the clash on the back of a 5-1 win over Southport on Monday.
