To get us started I was interested to find out what people's thoughts were on Steve Burr's summer transfer dealings to date. Thankfully nothing has happened since Saturday so I'm still being up to date here! In the main the fans were happy with the business we have done, although Derek felt that it was too early to tell and that he would "reserve judgement until I see them, no one can tell yet". It is more difficult with some of the players we sign in this league to have a real sense of how they play. Unless you have a vested interest in the team they come from or the team played against Chester, it is highly likely you won't have seen them play. Not like when a Premier League or even a Championship player is sold and the receiving team's fans will usually have seen the individual regularly on TV. Although on saying that, Grahame from Chester is very much satisfied with the transfer dealings saying, "they look quality", so I could be wrong in my assessment. Finally, I liked what Jim from Nantwich said when he commented that he is satisfied, adding: "I don't know too much about them but trust his judgement". Well said that man!
The second of the five on the pitch questions asked the fans which of the new signings are they most looking forward to seeing in the blue and white next season. There was a firm fan favourite in the shape of striker Ross Hannah, with half the votes going his way. One fan said of the signing, "we need a goal scorer and he is proven". George from Chester concurred: "goals, goals and more goals", could not have summed it up better myself. The other half of the votes were divided evenly across three players, Ian Sharps, Jordan Chapell and Luke Geroge, who all received two a piece. To begin Mr Sharps seems to be viewed as the next potential George Horan or Matty Brown, with Steve from Flint choosing the defender because "a leader was lacking last season" and another fan adding, "if he stays fit, will be a big player - make a good captain". Hopefully his 6ft 3in stature will be something to put the opposition off at least! Next up the 23 year old Jordan Chapell saw one fan say of the Sheffield born player, "sounds a quality winger rated by his previous clubs". Eric from Chester showed some further confidence in Burr that we had seen in the previous question, "seemed to lose his way at Torquay after a bright start. Got a feeling Steve Burr will get the best out of him". Last but not least we have former Southport FC man Luke George. Graeme from Deeside was first up with this choice describing the player as an "exciting talent". I think David From Bromley had guessed my next question with his answer "might be the combative midfielder we seemed to lack last season".
Which leads me nicely onto question number three. This was about what fans believe was missing last season that can be improved upon in the next. The most consistent answer was about getting a "good fast start to the season" with one fan saying, "the last two seasons we had poor starts" and another saying they need to improve on "first half performances". There were a few who thought they knew how to get that good start, George thought it was by having "a strong holding midfield player to protect the back four". Other fans felt it was up front that was lacking. David referred to a "lack of another target man to supplement Hobbo is a worry". He also felt that "consistency" was something the team needed to improve on, concurring with the initial feeling among the fans. Jim from Nantwich feels Chester FC need "a fox in the box". With a goal difference at the end of last season coming in at -12 and goals scored against the blues being 76, you would think there had been more people answering about the defence, but only Ed from just outside Chester gave that as his improvement.
Moving swiftly on, my fourth question moved the fans attentions towards the fixtures, specifically the Derby games. With the relegation of Tranmere Rovers FC, this season is set to be an exciting one where these four games are concerned. So I thought I would ask if people were with me on that excitement and they sure are! Nine out of the twelve people asked said Tranmere Rovers, with varying reasons. Steve and Grahame both chose the Merseysiders as "it's a good while since we played them". David thought it would be a bit better on the soul as we "can enjoy it a bit more as Wrexham is just too important". When you work at a place full of Wrexham fans I am inclined to agree with him! I quite enjoyed the next two reasons with Jim saying "Wrexham are so last year" and George commenting that "Wrexham are easy to beat". Let's hope they are this season. Of the three who didn't vote for the Wirral side, one of those didn't go with the "goats", as Eric put it, either. Ed says he doesn't "look forward to either. Prefer when they are out of the way". I can certainly see where he is coming from there, and I bet I am not the only one Ed.
So, finally, of the five on the pitch questions the last was a bit of a provocative question asking fans did they think promotion is a realistic target. There was a resounding sense that they don't believe the blues can do it with only one fan saying "yes". One fan did state however, "possible if Steve Burr can wave his magic wand, but I'll be happy with a top half finish". Both David and Jim did think that the "play offs" could be a possibility, with George joining them in that belief on the basis that "much will depend on whether SB (Steve Burr) can strengthen the squad in January". Steve is certain that a "top 10 finish" is a realistic target with Grahame saying that he doesn't think Chester have "the budget" for promotion but he would "be delighted to keep out of trouble again". Ed had a similar view saying he "would like to see us further progress from last season. Think we can then have a real go the season after". And finally one of the last respondents said that they would be happy with "building a strong team"' adding "if that happens then promotion maybe". Let's watch this space.
So there you have it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who contributed and look forward to some more Q&A sessions in the future! For anyone who would like to be involved in the future, please get in touch.
Footymadgirl
