Bohemians boss Roddy Collins picked up the perfect confidence booster at the Brandywell on Saturday night as he starts to prepare his troops for visits to St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne this week.
Mark Rutherford's two-goal blast against a very disappointing Derry side sets the scene for visits to Inchicore tomorrow and Tolka Park next weekend.
And with both Kevin Hunt and Trevor Molloy sidelined due to suspension, Collins refused to hide the importance of the weekend win.
"We've flying at the moment and, while it's always difficult to get a result at the Brandywell, I thought we controlled this game and could have scored more," he declared afterwards.
"I've told the players the league starts now with seven matches to play - not 33. Things are beginning to click into place. We look good in training and on tonight's performance, I can't ask for more.
"Our suspended players are now available and we have a few others who are back in training following injury layoffs."
Derry City: Connolly; Harkin, McCallion, Kelly; McLaughlin, Doherty, Quigley, McCready, Gallagher; Coyle, Hargan. Subs: Parkhouse for Quigley (63 mins), McCaul for McCready (63 mins), Crossan for Gallagher (83 mins.)
bohemians: Russell; O'Connor, Maher, Hill, Webb; Byrne, Caffrey, Fulham, Rutherford; Crowe, O'Neill.
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
