Anthony Johnson believes Chester's new-look has squad has adjusted well after the 'massive upheaval' of the summer.

After a complete overhaul of the squad in pre-season, Chester have quickly hit their stride in the National League North.

The high-energy pressing game demanded by Johnson and joint manager Bernard Morley has already been evident in the club's early league fixtures.

Deploying a three-man defence, Chester's managers have demanded that their wing-backs are utilised effectively in attack with an ability to revert to a back five when required.

And Johnson has hailed his players' willingness to adapt to and receptiveness to new ideas after the Blues took four points from their first two games.

He said: "We're really happy with the way things have gone so far, especially because there are so many factors to take into consideration.

"There was massive upheaval this summer in terms of incomings and outgoings.

"In fact it was only Gary Roberts, Craig Mahon and the kit man who were still here from last season, so there's been so much transition here in the space of just a few months.

"You expect it to take time for a squad to forge an identity and for things to be taken on board, but even after just seven or eight weeks I think we're seeing some of these new ideas come to fruition.

"I'm not just talking about playing the system we want and winning games. I mean the performance levels that we've seen form the players so far, which have been great.

"If you'd offered me the results we've had at the start of this season then I'd have snatched your hand off, but the most pleasing aspect is the commitment and drive we've seen from the players so far.

"There is an ethos we're trying to instil here and there will be bumps in the road. Bernard and myself are always hyper-critical and at times I've felt we could have done the basics better.

"By that I mean we could be better stopping crosses and blocking shots and we can still be so much better at in terms of our quality after our approach play, which has sometimes been poor.

"But that'll come in time. There's new partnerships developing between players all over the pitch and I'm sure we'll only get better."

Johnson reserved individual praise for midfielder Roberts, who has deputised as captain during Scott Burton's absence with injury.

The 31-year-old former Crewe midfielder has impressed with his range of passing and tenacity in midfield alongside Gary Stopforth in the centre of the pitch.

A combative all-action display and assist in the 3-0 victory at Curzon Ashton earned Roberts the man-of-the-match award, with Johnson delighted with his progress.

"Gary's as good a player as you'll see at this level" he added.

"In terms of his footballing ability, nobody can get near him in this league because he has so much quality.

"The fact that he came back after the summer in such rubbish shape to get to where he is now speaks volumes about how well he's applied himself.

"He's a top lad who just gets on with things. He came out of the Everton game in pre-season with a swollen knee, but there was no moaning - he's just concentrated on getting himself right for the league games.

"We have players like Stopforth and Burton who pride themselves on how hard they work in that midfield area and I think that's had an effect on Gary and how hard he's worked himself.

"There are signs that his fitness levels are really getting there now and I think we saw that in the last game where he's driven at Curzon's defence and then been able to pick a pass to set up our second goal.

"As the season goes on we'll expect to see more of that from him, because his quality can help us dominate games."