Soccer National League previews: Going from bottom of the table to second in the space of nine matches, and conceding just one goal along the way, would be championship-challenging form in most observers' minds.
But Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin, who knows a thing or two about winning titles from his medal-spangled playing days, believes it's far too early even to be talking about the notion. Not this season anyway.
"Yes, it's going really well," conceded Doolin, whose side are five points behind leaders Shelbourne, who they meet at home in a back match on Monday week.
"Many people would have been critical of us, even pre-season, never mind after losing the first three games. We're a bit ahead of ourselves, especially considering I took in 10 new players at the start of the season. It's taken time to get to where we are and I'm delighted with the way it's gone.
"While I'm not playing down our chances, I honestly feel it's a little too early to be talking about us being in a position to win the league. Our main ambition was to avoid being down around the bottom of the table. While I wouldn't say we are going to win the league, if you don't have ambition you have nothing to aim for. What I will say is we will try to win as many games and see what happens."
Doolin's miserly back five remain intact, as they have done over those last nine games, for tonight's trip to Shamrock Rovers, but he must make an enforced change in midfield as John Lester is suspended while Barry Molloy remains out with an ankle injury.
The lack of depth to his squad, something Doolin is trying to remedy, means Aidan Lynch, nominally a central defender, is likely to come into midfield in Lester's place.
Rovers are forced into at least one change also with winger Mark Rutherford starting in place of the suspended Shane Robinson. Defender Steven Gough (hamstring) and midfielder Keith O'Halloran (knee) face late fitness tests.
Shelbourne are without their suspended captain, Owen Heary, for the top-versus-bottom clash with Dublin City at Tolka Park. That leaves manager Pat Fenlon a little short of defensive options with Kevin Doherty and Tony McCarthy out injured along with winger Ollie Cahill.
City manager John Gill works off the same panel that featured in Monday's morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Waterford, which moves them to within a point of second-from-bottom Derry City.
Cork City have their influential captain Dan Murray back following a virus as they seek to stretch their unbeaten run to eight game against St Patrick's Athletic at Turner's Cross.
While Kevin Doyle (hamstring) and Cillian Lordan (knee) remain out, Liam Kearney has played himself into contention to start after an outstanding display in the Munster Senior Cup final win over Carrick United.
Ex-Irish youth international left-back David Bell, signed for two months having been released by Rushden & Diamonds, comes into the St Patrick's Athletic squad, which once again waits on Paul Osam (knee).
Manager John McDonnell remains without long-term-injured Gary McPhee, Barry Prenderville and Paul Donnelly while midfielder Keith Fahey, who picked up an ankle injury against Bohemians on Monday, must prove his fitness.
Waterford United manager Alan Reynolds has striker Willie Bruton back following his shoulder/neck injury for the visit to Longford Town.
Midfielders Wayne Fitzgerald, who needs knee surgery, and Kevin O'Brien (thigh) are out.
Longford manager Alan Mathews found some irony in the perception that he has a big squad with only eight players available for training this week due to injuries. Graham Gartland is out for two months after a groin operation while Brian Byrne, Stephen Paisley, Darragh Sheridan, Barry Ferguson and John Martin are carrying knocks. Under-21 player Gary Murphy and Vinny Perth come into the panel.
Managerless Derry City's troubles show no signs of easing as they face the daunting trip to Dalymount Park before a home game with Dublin City next Tuesday. Midfielder Peter Hutton takes temporary charge but is without the spine of the side as Clive Delaney (ankle), Davy Byrne (hamstring) and Gary Beckett (ankle) are injured.
Tonight'sFixtures
(7.45 unless stated)
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Premier Division: Bohemians v Derry City; Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic; Dublin City v Shelbourne; Longford Town v Waterford United; Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United (7.0). First Division: Monaghan United v Athlone Town (8.0): UCD v Bray Wanderers.
