ANTHONY JOHNSON understands the frustration of fans after recent setbacks, but insists that poor results are not unique to Chester.

Last weekend’s shock 2-1 defeat at Bradford Park Avenue was arguably the Blues’ worst performance of the National League North campaign to date.

But after some supporters took to social media hit out at a lacklustre display, the unpredictability of the league was evident again as basement side Bradford won at title-chasing King’s Lynn Town in midweek.

Blues joint-manager Johnson said: “I could understand the negative reaction of some fans to a point because we’ve been beaten by a bottom of the league club.

“We’re a team that wants to win promotion and we should be doing everything to win those types of games. There should have been a win-at-all costs mentality and the fans were disappointed that they didn’t see that type of performance.

“Frustrations can spill over and I genuinely understand that, but we’re not the only club this happens to.

“People say things like ‘Typical Chester’ after we’ve lost a game in the way we did at Bradford.

“But Bradford going to King’s Lynn and winning tells you everything about this league. If you turn up and you’re not 100 per cent at it - you get found out.

“Hopefully they’ll go on to beat more good sides now and take points off some of the other teams around us.

“Inconsistency doesn’t just apply to us. Teams like Boston haven’t won in four and have faltered recently. Yes, we can be inconsistent but we’re still sixth in the league and four points off third.”

Blues midfielder Gary Roberts denied rumours of disharmony in the Blues dressing room following last weekend’s defeat in Yorkshire.

On Twitter, he wrote: “Hearing talk of a rift in the changing room. The lads love each other and have just lost one game, please keep supporting us every week and we will give everything for you.”

Johnson also dismissed the online speculation as ‘nonsense’ and says that squad cohesion and unity among the players remain strong ahead of Saturday's game against Boston United.

The clash with the third-placed Pilgrims precedes an away game at promotion-hopefuls Altrincham a week later in what could be a pre-cursor to the play-off finals.

Johnson added: “This is the best group of players me and Bernard have ever had. There’s great camaraderie in that dressing room and everyone has a lot of respect for each other.

“If we can get ourselves into the play-offs at the end of the season, the next two games against Boston and Alty could be like dress-rehearsals.

“It’s going to be a tough, physical game. Boston have done really well this season but have had a rough patch in the last two or three weeks. I’m sure they’ll look to exploit set-pieces where they can and use the width of the pitch.

“The likes of Jordan Thewlis and Jay Rollins are both big threats and we’ll have to make sure we deal with them.”

The Blues expect to be at full-strength for tomorrow’s game, with no serious injury concerns.