Pat Jones could present Chester with a January concern as transfer plan clarified
Calum McIntyre admits that what happens in the New Year is out of his hands
Chester boss Calum McIntyre admits that January could bring about some unwanted movement when it comes to his Blues squad.
Having turned a corner in terms of form on the pitch in recent weeks, picking up 12 points from 18 available to take them within two points of the National League North play-off places, and on an unbeaten run of seven games in the league, a degree of optimism has returned to Chester after a difficult start to the campaign.
Blues boss McIntyre, who came in for criticism from some quarters during the club’s challenging spell, particularly in the wake of the 2-1 home loss to Bedford Town at the end of October, has seen a number of his first-teamers hit their stride in recent weeks, and the push into the new year for the play-offs and a tilt at promotion to the National League come the end of the season is very much back on.
But this isn’t McIntyre’s first rodeo. He knows that when January comes, and the window opens for clubs in the EFL to bring players in again, that some talents that sit within the Blues squad may find themselves the subject of some unwanted attention.
Pat Jones arrived at Chester in August following his release from Exeter City. The Stockport-born 22-year-old, a former Welsh under-21, who made his breakthrough in the EFL with Huddersfield Town in 2020, has become a key part of the Blues revival in recent weeks, with six goals in 24 games in all competitions. He has provided attacking guile for the Blues, and it has been clear for all to see that his talents in the longer term likely belong at a higher level than the National League North.
Jones’ arrival was one that came with a caveat. He was a player who wanted to play closer to home after being in Devon last season, and wanted to be able to get some serious minutes under his belt at first-team level to better his chances of an EFL return. That was the aim, and knowing what he could deliver, even in the short to medium term, it was a no-brainer from Chester’s point of view, with Jones penning a deal until the end of the season. There was always the acceptance that in signing a player of his calibre, if he shone then his time may be limited down CH1.
