Ian Murray insists he always knew his Airdrie side would come good - because he'd seen their quality even when results weren't going their way.
The Diamonds didn't have the best of starts to the League One season, losing 3-0 at home to Montrose on the opening day, throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with 10 men at Dumbarton and then losing to Falkirk.
Sitting second bottom of the table then, they've now climbed to joint-second after a string of strong performances, which culminated in their best-display of the season on Saturday when they eased past Falkirk 3-0.
After righting one wrong from earlier in the campaign, it's Dumbarton up next on Saturday and Murray is eager to keep the run going against his former side.
While some may have doubted his side, Murray insists he knew they had their current form in them, even when it all went wrong at the Rock in August.
He told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "We went up to Peterhead a few weeks ago and we were second bottom, struggling for players, but it's been a gradual progression since around that time.
"And I saw it at Dumbarton away [what the team had in them] before that. I know some people got a bit flustered after that game and it wasn't a great result, but sometimes your eyes don't lie.
"And I said that to the players. I was as disappointed as anyone that day, but I know what I saw out there.
"I saw a good side and it's been about keeping their spirits up, keeping them believing in each other because I had no doubt these guys are good players.
"And when you've got good players, you win more games than you lose.
"The results show we've improved, but it's the performances in particular that show it.
"But it's still a banana skin for us on Saturday.
"Dumbarton are a well-organised team, they've got good players and it's not going to be easy.
"I'm really delighted with where we are. I'd love to be top, but nobody gets the trophy at the moment.
"If we are top in May we'll be ecstatic."
Meanwhile, one player who has really impressed Murray during that run is former Sons midfielder Dylan Easton.
Easton, who worked under Murray at the Rock in 2015, scored the opener and set up Josh Kerr for the third goal at Falkirk and his gaffer reckons the 27-year-old is a vastly-improved player since their previous spell together.
"I'm delighted for Dylan," said Murray. "He's been a breath of fresh air in terms of quality on the ball.
"He's one of those guys that just loves football.
"Dylan has improved a heck of a lot because I had him down at Dumbarton about seven years ago, and his tactical knowledge of the game now is so good.
"That comes from experience.
"He was at Kelty and at Clyde for a while and sometimes when players take a wee step back to learn the game, they come back stronger and Dylan, for me, ball playing-wise, if there's a better player in the league I've yet to see him."
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