CHESTER slipped to another heavy defeat on Saturday but head coach Matt Farr is satisfied his players are now making a real effort to improve.
Recent results have left the club's coaching staff hugely disappointed but, against a strong Birkenhead side, it finally looked as though the message was getting through.
Farr said: 'There were definite signs that what we have talked about in training is sinking in.
'We weren't there at all at the start of the game but we came into it and played really well as the first half progressed, scoring three tries.
'But we fell asleep again and the game got away from us. There is still a lot to work on but in this match we had three players sin-binned.'
Chester are second-from-bottom in North One, with five defeats and only two wins from their seven games. Farr feels the team would benefit from the addition of a few more experienced heads.
'We are a young team and perhaps needed some more experienced lads to steady the ship,' he added.
'It is difficult to find players like that to bring in at this stage of the season. Two Fijian lads have enquired about playing but they haven't made up their minds yet.
'No-one can handle the pace of our backs, who are playing really well.
'Where we need to be stronger is in the pack. The forwards need to do a better job and allow the backs to play.'
Chester host Luctonians in the EDF Inter-mediate Cup tomorrow.
'We have no injuries but we have lost some lads to a stag do,' said Farr. 'Luctonians were a good side years ago but I think they are struggling a little recently.
'We have a chance and I would like to see the guys who come in do well.'
Team to face Luctonians: Sitaine, Adams, Whitelock-Wainwright, Watson, Stevens, Jeffries, Dickey, Sheeney; Chappell, Francis, Green, Kearney, Lawton, Brooks, Burger. Reps: Cottle, Turnbull, Troughton, Davies.
