IT'S that time of the season already. Everybody has played everybody else and, as Brian Kerr likes to say, the table tells no lies. Except that on RTE's Soccer Stadium last Saturday, he was saying that the Premier Division table has yet to settle down.
Indeed, the Premier Division is still likely to undergo upheaval. Certainly with St Patrick's in ninth, Kerr would like to think so. Bohemians, Derry, Sligo, UCD, Finn Harps and Cork have all had their little runs. Shelbourne might be about to do so.
Consistency wins leagues, however, and Bohemians have impressed nearly everybody as the team most likely to succeed.
The league was expected to be dominated by Dublin clubs, yet the north west trio occupy three places in the top five. Furthermore, unless Sligo, Finn Harps and/or UCD plummet, then at least one of the big clubs will be embroiled in a relegation play off for the first time ever.
Bohemians: They are again scoring freely - John Ryan is their 10th contributor already - especially away from home. The desperation to bridge the 19 year gap to their last title is sometimes apparent in the criticism of over anxious fans, but Turlough O'Connor knows how to win a league, as do ten of a squad unrivalled for its strength in depth. Paul Doolin's continuing good form is crucial.
Sligo Rovers: Lacking a little creativity in midfield, their squad is a bit threadbare, while they are about to change manager again. Solid at the back, with pace on the flanks and up front, the return to health of Ian Gilzean would sharpen their attacking edge. Good home form is normally a prerequisite of title winners and thus far Sligo are the only side unbeaten at home.
Derry City: Young, fit and hungry, they are spirited as well, as comebacks away to Dundalk, Bohemians and Shelbourne showed. Injuries and suspensions could hit a slim squad. Peter Hutton is being employed well and has five goals already, though they need Liam Coyle and James Keddy, with only a goal apiece from 11 games, to embroider their silken skills with more goals.
UCD: The students boast the most settled team of all, but cannot afford much more damage to a thin squad. Their attacking edge hinges on Mick O'Byrne's availability and he has an appointment today with a specialist regarding his knee injury. They've still to play their best football.
Finn Harps: Like Sligo two seasons ago, the impetus of promotion has been maintained. Charlie McGeever is doing an impressive job, Harps are tactically flexible and have more resources than their fellow promotion travellers.
Shelbourne: A spate of injuries and suspensions contributed to a stuttering start. Three defeats at Tolka have left them with quite a handicap, but they are a club capable of a winning streak and may well maintain their recent run. Quality galore and the best team in the league on their day, they desperately need more consistency. The Geoghegan-Morley axis may help provide it.
Cork City: Like Derry, and Shelbourne to a degree, they can be dangerous when they gather momentum. They may struggle to score sufficiently. Rovers punctured them on Sunday, and Sunday week's visit of Bohemians, with the opening of a new stand, could be a huge pointer.
Shamrock Rovers: A hot and cold side and it's liable to remain that way. New signings and new ways take time to take root, but the stirring win over Bohemians showed what's possible if the fans have faith.
St Patrick's Athletic: Strangely the Richmond Park fortress (launching pad for the last two seasons) has been their achilles heel so far - only winning one of six games there so far. As the last nine champions discovered, it's tougher second time round, but new signings will blend in and, they're sure to improve.
Dundalk: Patience is required, but their fickle fans were hard to please even when they were winning. John Hewitt is building, promisingly: Dundalk are trying to play good football, and having just brought over his family, he deserves time.
Home Farm: Short term signings (Peter Eccles, John Byrne) show that Dermot Keely is rolling up his sleeves for a relegation fight. Few doubt that they will get stronger as the season progresses. In which case, we could be in for a hell of a battle.
Bray Wanderers: Look ill equipped. Pat Devlin has rounded up nearly all the would be Wanderers - his American coaching connections bringing the number of players used already to 26. Jaramillo and Panesso could solve the heavy reliance on Kieran O'Brien and Richie Parsons for goals, but after shipping 25 goals, in nine games, there is no sign yet of a winning or settled formula. It's going to be tough.
