St Pat's have the same 14-point return from the first series of games that they had last season - but Tim Clancy insists it is nothing to celebrate.
He is demanding more from his players who have hit form after a rocky spell, to climb to fourth ahead of tonight’s derby trip to leaders Bohemians.
The Saints stopped the rot with a 2-2 draw at Shamrock Rovers on St Patrick’s Day and have kicked on since then with wins over UCD, Cork City and Drogheda United.
But seven points off the top, they face Bohs, Rovers and Derry City in their next three games in a true test of their measure.
“To put a string of wins together has been difficult for nearly every team in the league,” said Clancy ahead of the Dalymount Park clash.
“So to get three wins and 10 goals in the last three games has been brilliant but it's about trying to keep that run going.
“You want to be better than last season and after the first round of games last year we had 14 points as well.
“We want to improve on that and the second round of games is important to find that consistency.
“We have to scrape out a few more wins, get a bit of consistency going and make sure that the games we don't perform in, we don't lose.”
Bohs showed good character to bounce back from their Good Friday defeat at home to Shamrock Rovers by winning in Derry on Easter Monday.
And Clancy feels tonight’s rejuvenated rivals are setting the pace on merit rather than just being left on top because of other teams’ stop-start form.
“Bohs have been excellent and Deccie (Devine) is doing an unbelievable job since the tail end of last season,” he said of opponents who won 2-0 in Inchicore last month.
“He's got the players in that he wants and they are playing full of energy.
“There are players in their squad who were possibly out of form towards the end of last season but Deccie has them flying again.
“They are very much at the top of the league because they have been the best team in the league so far.
“It's up to us to bring our good form of the last four games - since we've played them last - to try and win the game.”
Talisman Chris Forrester is playing his part in the Saints revival with four goals in his last three games.
The midfield ace has five in the league this season, which already equals his haul last year and is just three shy of the eight he bagged in 2021.
Clancy added: “Chris is one of the outstanding players in this league. He's smiling and enjoying his football. He's been massive for us and hopefully that continues.”
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