Jon Worsnop is confident Chester FC are a stronger defensive unit, leading him to increase his clean-sheet target.
Worsnop didn't quite reach his target of 15 clean sheets for 2014-15, but the 32-year-old is optimistic he can surpass that figure this season.
The 1-0 win over Braintree Town at the weekend means he already has one under his belt and the goalkeeper has been impressed at how much more solid the team are.
"We've worked with Macca (Jon McCarthy) on trying to keep ourselves narrow and compact," said Worsnop.
"Ian Sharps coming in has added another voice to the back and a bit of experience, and his positional sense is influencing the other lads and we're looking stronger for it.
"Johnny Hunt has come in on the left-hand side and is looking really good and he's another loud voice in the team.
"I'm going to set a target of 20 clean sheets in all competitions for this season. Looking at the lads that have come in and how we performed in pre-season, if we can take that form through into the league then there's no reason why we can't be a top four team.
"At this level of football you need to have a game-plan; if teams want to pass through us can we be solid or if teams go long ball can we win our headers. We don't need to be influenced too much by what the opposition do, let's play our game and worry about ourselves.
"The team are looking really, really sharp and looking twice the team we did last year. We're looking more compact defensively, looking good in the middle of the park and like we've got a bit of a threat up front in Ross Hannah."
IN PICTURES: Action from Chester FC 1 Braintree Town 0
Worsnop made 48 appearances last term having been brought back to the club where he spent the 2002-03 campaign as back-up for Wayne Brown.
The Bradford-born custodian, who was signed from Alfreton Town, put a horror start behind him to become an integral part of the side as the Blues finished in 12th place.
He sees no reason for Chester not to improve on that again this term, although recognises the challenge of going up against clubs with greater resources such as Eastleigh, Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers can
Worsnop said: "A lot of it is money. It is that squad depth because I think one or two injuries can make a difference.
"You look at the likes of Barnet and Luton in the past couple of seasons. I remember reading the programme at Barnet and there must have been about 35 names on the back, and it was the same at Luton the year before so the finances are a big thing.
"Chester is a big club but we're not blessed with heaps of cash. We've got a great fan-base and fingers crossed this year that can get us those extra few places that we need to be through one means or another.
"We are a club that should be in the Football League, we're not there yet but I'm sure we'll get there."
READ: Steve Burr speaks following Chester FC's 1-0 win against Braintree Town
