Tom Shaw cannot explain Chester FC's erratic performances this season but the midfielder knows it's something that has to be addressed.

An encouraging start and the victories over Eastleigh and Wrexham illustrate the team's capabilities, however six defeats, often following on from a positive result, have been the cause of head scratching for manager Steve Burr and supporters.

For a squad harbouring play-off ambitions, to be in 16th position in the National League table with a third of the campaign gone is not good enough.

Shaw, who netted in the weekend's cross-border derby win and the 3-2 loss at Barrow midweek, accepts that and thinks some soul-searching is needed to get to the root of the problem.

He said: "I can't put my finger on it. I thoroughly enjoyed Saturday's match and the victory over Wrexham but it was disappointing on Tuesday night that we couldn't keep to the same standard and level of performance.

"It's about each individual finding that level of consistency now because we can't be up and playing like we did on Saturday and then down on Tuesday night. It can't happen if we're going to be successful.

Look: Action from Chester FC's defeat at Barrow

"I think everybody has got to have a little look at themselves and find a way of finding their best form all of the time.

"We had a few spells during the game on Tuesday where we played okay and a few nice little patches but we've got to be at that level of intensity we were at on Saturday. We've got to find whatever it is to get that more often.

"I do think we've got to start cutting out the individual errors and everybody's got to start taking a bit more responsibility and doing their job.

"We've got some good players in the squad and we know that we can do it, we've just got to find a way of doing it more often."

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Nottingham-born Shaw has been an ever present in the team since his move to Chester from Alfreton Town during the close season.

The 28-year-old, whose former clubs include Kidderminster Harriers and Cambridge United, has been satisfied with his form but believes there's more to come from both him and the team.

He said: "I'm enjoying playing and I've had a good run in the team. I think I've shown my best form in patches but myself along with a lot of other players have got to start doing that week in, week out.

"If we get more people doing that then we'll start making out way up the table."

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