NEIL Young admitted his new-look Chester FC side must improve as an attacking unit after they went a second pre-season game without scoring a goal.
While the Blues boss believes there were mitigating circumstances for their shot-shy display in the 1-0 defeat at AFC Fylde, he accepted the forwards were ‘living off scraps’ at a sun-kissed Kellamergh Park.
A hoarse Young, who conducted a lengthy post-match dressing-room discussion, said: “I wasn’t happy with the performance. I didn’t think we had a goal threat and I don’t think we’ve had a goal threat in either of the two games so far.
“People will automatically point to the forwards but I don’t think anyone can question the application of Nathan Jarman in particular in both games.
“We’ve got to play higher up the pitch but it takes time to change and bring in new things as we’re trying to keep the ball a little bit better.
“It wasn’t a good performance and we did look ragged at times but you also have to remember we did a double session yesterday.”
Yesterday’s session spanned four-and-a-half hours and gave Young and his coaching team a first serious chance to work on shape and style with the much-changed Chester squad.
The Blues have enjoyed massive success in the past two seasons, winning back-to-back Evo-Stik Northern Premier League titles, but Young believes they have to adapt and vary their game for the Blue Square Bet North.
He said: “We’re trying to get the ball and play it out from the back more because we think we’ve got the players to do it and hopefully in the league we’re going into the pitches will be more conducive to that.
“It’s just getting the balance right because at the moment the midfield are dropping too deep so went it does go forward to the front lads, they are isolated. There is plenty to work on and we’ll keep working on it.”
Young is pleased with the way his reinforced defence is shaping up, picking out Dominic Collins, George Horan, Paul Linwood and Matty McGinn for praise after the loss to Fylde.
He is also keen to see Ashley Williams in action for the first time in pre-season, stating that the key midfielder, who is currently ill, will make ‘a massive difference to the team’.
