The superb run of form that has been enjoyed by Chester FC over the past seven games has been made all the more impressive when you consider that squad changes have been enforced prior to almost every game.

Injuries have hit Jon McCarthy's side on numerous occasions this season, especially in defence, but the Blues have been able to rely on the replacements to deliver and help them continue a run of seven games unbeaten without conceding a goal.

The form of Johnny Hunt has kept Evan Horwood out of the team, Sam Hughes's displays mean the Blaine Hudson is now forced to bide his time and the contributions of Oluwaseun Akintunde when given his chance mean that the neither Kane Richards or James Alabi can consider themselves definite starters.

But these are the foundations of what makes a successful side and while McCarthy is delighted with the competition for places he has in the squad he admits that the selection process prior to each game is one that fills him with dread.

He said: "It's horrible. Those decisions, that team picking is horrible.

"I'm not going to disguise the fact, I like all of the players and as much as I hate it there are 10 pairs of eyes that don't want to look at me when I make that decision. But I know that I am getting that situation.

"I have just got to be honest with players and stick to some principles. We try to play players in the right position and we try to play them on form. No round pegs in square holes.

"Then I have to look at whether there is enough pace, experience of goals. That may force me to go against that strict criteria.

"If I don't start trying to put players in the wrong position then there is only one player in front of them and an injury or a loss of form gives them a chance. There is something quite honest about that.

"It's the worst part of the job but the most important thing is that I have competition for places."

But whoever is left out of the squad the Blues boss, whose side travel to Southport in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on Saturday, knows he has a dressing room in perfect harmony and says anyone who may try and upset the balance simply won't be tolerated.

"I have no trouble from anyone and the dressing room polices itself very well," he said.

"They won't put up with anybody who might be negative or threaten what we have got going on at the moment."