Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins is confident his side can find the consistency needed to put it up to Shamrock Rovers ahead of the visit of the champions to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
City have just five points from as many matches after a poor run recently, with the 4-1 success over Dundak something of an outlier in the last few weeks.
However a strong opening to the year means the Candystripes still sit in second place with more than a quarter of the campaign played.
Higgins knows they can't afford such a lowly return of points in upcoming fixtures and it will not be easy as the Hoops and then St Patrick’s Athletic travel north in the next four days.
Last week they came from behind after an early concession in Drogheda, only to drop two points with another shipped goal in the dying minutes.
Looking back now, Higgins can take more positives.
"The first hour warranted us winning the game and we didn't capitalise on that. But on reflection I've looked back at the game, some of the stuff particularly in the first half was, for me was the best way we played this season.
"So we just need to continue that and I have no doubt the consistency will come.
"In this league, when you don't capitalise on your pressure and your momentum, it can catch you out.
"As I said there is a lot to be positive about in terms of some of the football we played, and there is stuff to tidy up on as well. But we're 10 games into a 36 game season. I'm sure sooner rather than later we'll find that level of consistency that we need.
"And if you look through it, the whole league, nobody really has shown up, bar Shelbourne, have shown an unbelievable level of consistency. It's just a matter of us focusing on ourselves and trying to get a big win on Friday and hopefully it gives us a kick to move on
"It's been frustrating but there's been there's been positive signs in the last couple of weeks. Would we like a few more points? Of course we would.
"I have every confidence and the players in our dressing rom that we can we can start putting more points on the board very soon."
It was a quiet Brandywell when Derry cruised to victory over Dundalk in their last home encounter.
The clash with Shamrock Rovers is set to be a different experience, Higgins feels.
He explained: "They’re big games and great games to be involved in. Shamrock Rovers know how to win leagues and they set the standard for everyone else in the country to try to reach.
"They are great games, I think the crowd really gets up for it as well. And we'll need that Friday night. And hopefully we can put on a really good performance.
"You see the quality Shamrock Rovers have in the group.
"They have a real identity and they have had it for years now. They have a way of playing, they very rarely deviate from that.
"And the games between ourselves and them have normally been good games.
"Both teams will really be trying to win the game, it makes for an entertaining game.
"There are real match winners on both teams. So hopefully we can put on a good display and get our supporters out of their seats."
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