Points may win prizes, but Galway United manager Tony Cousins has taken solace from his side's recent performances and is undaunted by the visit of league leaders St Patrick's Athletic to Terryland Park tonight.
An opening day defeat to Sligo Rovers aside, Cousins says his newly-promoted team should have more than the one point to show from their three subsequent encounters with Cork City, Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers.
"The bottom line is that we've played well in the last three games and haven't got the points we've deserved," said Cousins. "In saying that, we have made silly mistakes which we're trying to rectify. But I'm happy enough with the way we've been playing. Nobody has tanked us.
"I would have been worried if we'd continued to perform as we did against Sligo when we just weren't at the races. If we'd got our just reward and got at least three points then you'd say it wasn't a bad start from the teams that we've met. St Pat's are another top team. We're looking forward to the game."
Barry Moran comes in to partner Stephen O'Flynn up front as former St Pat's player Chris Armstrong had an operation on Wednesday to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, suffered the night before in the League Cup win in Monaghan, and is out for up to three months. Alan Keane (broken leg) and Philip Reilly (knee) remain sidelined.
St Patrick's defend their 100 per cent record without suspended left back John Frost, with recent signing Stephen Paisley likely to deputise. Anthony Murphy remains out with an ankle injury.
Fresh from their win over Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday night, Bohemians welcome back both captain Kevin Hunt and right back Owen Heary from suspension for the visit of Sligo Rovers. Midfielder Thomas Heary is also fit to come back into the side following a groin injury, though winger Harpal Sing faces a late fitness test.
Sligo defender Gavin Peers damaged ankle ligaments in last Sunday's win over UCD and will be out for several weeks. That compounds managerless Rovers' problems as Conor O'Grady is suspended, while Gary Curran, Brian Cash and Kevin Julian are injured. Tommy Arcaba stands by for his debut in goal, depending on Richard Brush's fitness.
Graham Gartland and Steven Gray make welcome returns to fitness for Drogheda United as key central defender Jason Gavin could be facing up to two months out, should he, as expected, have surgery on the shoulder he dislocated in the Setanta Sports Cup draw with Linfield last Monday.
James Keddy may make the bench for the trip to Longford Town, though Richie Baker remains out with a groin injury.
Bottom-of-the-table Longford, facing possible sanctions for failing to provide audited accounts to the FAI by the March 31st deadline, are without striker Robbie Martin (thigh).
Bray have fitness concerns about Colm Tresson (ankle) and captain Stephen Fox (hamstring) prior to the visit of Shamrock Rovers who are likely to field much the same side that lost to Bohs on Tuesday at Dalymount.
UCD captain Tony McDonnell may make an earlier than expected return from a knee injury to face Waterford United at Belfield as both Derek Doyle (hand) and Shane McFaul (ankle) are rated very doubtful starters.
Waterford are hoping defenders David Breen and Alan Keely are over groin and calf injuries respectively to start as left back Robbie Hedderman is ruled out due to a groin strain.
