Aaron McEneff claims Shamrock Rovers good start is down to players balling each other out of it when standards slip.
McEneff scored twice in the Hoops eye-catching win away to Cork City on Friday night that extended their lead at the top.
The chasing pack have two games in hand but Dundalk stumbled with a defeat at St Pat’s and it’s now arch rivals Bohemians who are eight points behind in second.
Signed from Derry City in the off season, McEneff has made an impressive start with Rovers and leads the Premier Division scoring charts with five goals from midfield.
But he revealed how finger pointing and some home truths in training has everyone on their toes on match night.
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“If you’re off it you’ll get told,” he said. “That’s a good thing because if you want to be successful you can’t slip up.
“It’s something that I’ve noticed coming down here. All the lads are really hungry for success.
“If you make a mistake they’ll encourage you but if you’re a bit off it, they’ll let you know and get you back to the levels you’ve to be hitting.
“If you want to be successful you have to hit your levels. It’s a talented dressing room but if you don’t work hard you’re going nowhere.”
At Derry, McEneff was part of a team that started the 2017 season well but staying the pace to push for a title is a different matter.
“It was the year Ryan McBride passed away,” he said. “I felt we had a really strong team at Derry. We won five from five, the first five games.
“I sort of got the feeling within the squad then, but since I’ve come down here I hadn’t been in a dressing room where all the lads are pushing each other.”
McEneff and recent Ireland recruit Jack Byrne stole the show at Turner’s Cross and Rovers much-hyped midfield is living up to its billing so far.
And the former Tottenham youth added: “With the creative players, there’s always an understanding.
“When you have a football brain, you can read people and know what’s happening on the pitch.
“At the same time, everyone works really hard off the ball and we’ve been solid defensively. It’s very enjoyable.
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“There has to be a defensive side because that’s the base and if you work from that then the ability and the talent will come through.
“We’ve got the mixture right so far and have to continue to do so.”
Rovers fans have quickly warmed to McEneff's silky skills and coined a terrace chant in his honour - and it's motivating the midfielder.
“It’s a great song! They were actually sending me a few videos of it and I was singing it in the changing room for a bit of a laugh. It’s good craic. The fans have been great.
“It’s good that we’ve points on the board and teams have to play games. But it’s early in the season and we can’t look too much into it.”
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