CHESTER FC fans will have to get used to Neil Young playing tinkerman for some time yet.

The Blues boss surprised supporters when he benched the likes of captain George Horan for Monday’s derby at Altrincham.

But Young’s decision to make six changes to the team which started against Colwyn Bay 48 hours earlier was vindicated as Chester stretched their winning start to four games.

Young, who will rotate his squad for Saturday’s match at Solihull Moors (3pm), said: “People want to see their favourites on the pitch every single game but we’ve got a good squad and we’ve got to use it to its full potential.

“You mustn’t forget we are part-time and to ask the lads to play the amount of games we’ve got at the start of the season – and we’ve got some tough games – would be unfair.

“We’ve got to utilise the squad and I think you saw the benefit of that on Monday when three players came off the bench fresh and helped us win the game.

“We don’t have a reserve team so there is no other way we can get a player match fit other than playing.

“All the lads must be given opportunities and I think the wins over the weekend were not only massive in terms of us getting six points, but they showed me I can put out virtually two different teams and within that we can still perform to a high level.”

Not that Young is getting carried away.

He believes his side, who sit third in the standings, have been ‘workmanlike’ rather than ‘spectacular’ and that there is ‘room for improvement’ before a testing run of matches.

The Blues follow Saturday’s Solihull clash with visits of FC Halifax Town and Guiseley to the Exacta Stadium and trips to Boston United and Stalybridge Celtic.

Young is particularly looking forward to next Wednesday’s meeting with FC Halifax Town (7.45pm), who he believes are still the title favourites despite their hit-and-miss start.

Young said: “Our concentration is solely on Solihull at the moment but we’re all very aware it’s around the corner.”

The fine form of Chester FC Colts continued on Tuesday when they won 5-1 at home to Runcorn Town.

Tom Peers (3), Harry Murray and Joel O’Callaghan got the goals for the impressive Blues under 17s side, who have now won their first four North West Youth Alliance Division Two matches.

They had ran out 6-2 winners at home to Marine on Sunday with goals from Josh Rimmer (2), Tom Batten, Jonny O’Sullivan and Peers.

On the same day Chester FC Youth lost their Premier Division opener 3-0 at defending champions FC United of Manchester.

Blues online radio show The Seals Podcast is live on www.lachefm.org.uk at 7pm tonight.

The show will be available to download from Mixcloud and iTunes from tomorrow.