Jon McCarthy believes that now is the time for his Chester FC side to banish any preconceived ideas about where they should be finishing in the National League this season.

The Blues boss saw his Blues squad fall to their first defeat in 10 National League games at the end of last month when high-flying Lincoln City claimed a 5-2 success.

The game was a far more tightly contested affair than the scoreline suggested and McCarthy wants his players to raise their expectations and ambitions, starting with Saturday’s visit to promotion favourites Tranmere Rovers (3pm) .

“I get that there is an idea of where we should be and what we should be achieving because Chester FC as it is now has only been in existence for six years,” said McCarthy.

“But this isn’t a six-year-old football club. This is the same Chester City that played in the Football League, a team who would have never feared facing teams like Lincoln City or Tranmere in the past.

“While people can say we were unlucky against Lincoln I came away from the game thinking that we shouldn’t just be pleased with giving a good account of ourselves against these teams. We now have to challenge ourselves to push on and become like Lincoln and Tranmere. That is what I want to get across to the players.”

While wanting his players to be fearless and aiming for three points every match, McCarthy remains realistic but believes that the current crop has restored some much-needed pride in the football club.

“I think that the fans have responded to what we are trying to do here and they have given us tremendous support and think that we have restored some pride in this football club again and got people interested,” he said.

“Tranmere will be a tough game and we know that but we will be backed by superb fans again and I want there to be that connection come the final whistle.

“We haven’t really had it yet where we have gone away from home in front of a big crowd and really done the business and won a game. I wanted that for them so much at Southport in the FA Cup.

“Win, lose or draw we will be there applauding the fans for spending their hard-earned money to come and see us. But I want that moment for the players and the fans to happen after a big win at a big club.

“But we have to break the cycle of thinking that we somehow can’t compete with the best in this league. When these players play their best then they beat any team in this league.”

Chester have some injury concerns ahead of the trip to Prenton Park with goalkeeper Liam Roberts and right back Theo Vassell both doubts.

Luke George (suspension) and Ross Killock (calf injury) are definite absentees.