Bohemians have made a habit in recent years of teasing their supporters with flashes of promise.
A strong run here, a big performance there, the buzz returning to Dalymount Park for a few weeks before the reality of a long League of Ireland season eventually settles things back down.
Bohs are unbeaten and have looked impressive doing it. The only points they've dropped came in the opening game against St Patrick's Athletic in the Aviva Stadium.
Conveniently, that was also the only game where they failed to score. It also happens to be the only match where they didn’t play with a natural striker, instead deploying Conor Parsons in a false nine role.
Since then, the formula has been simple: play with a proper focal point up front, allow the midfield to dictate the rhythm, and trust that the quality within the squad will create chances.
The last four wins have been hugely impressive and, perhaps more importantly, they’ve shown different sides to this Bohs team.
There was the excellent hat-trick from Colm Whelan away to Sligo Rovers, a clinical display that highlighted exactly what Bohs have been missing in previous seasons – a striker full of confidence and finishing chances with conviction.
Then came the moment of quality from Dawson Devoy away to Derry City, whipping in a superb free kick that showed the belief currently running through the side.
Back at Dalymount they bettered the intensity of Shamrock Rovers and arguably produced their most complete performance of the season so far.
Rovers are the benchmark for the league and Bohs did more than compete with them - they looked comfortable doing so.
Last week’s win over Waterford provided another example of their growing maturity, with a well-worked setpiece finished by centre-half Sam Todd.
That variety in goals is one of the most encouraging aspects of this Bohs’ start.
They’re scoring from open play, from distance, from setpieces, and through their striker. When a team has multiple routes to goal it becomes far harder to defend against them over the course of a season.
They’re also playing a good style of football while showing the intelligence to mix it up when the game demands it.
Too often teams become obsessed with one way of playing. Bohs look comfortable keeping possession and building attacks, but they’re equally capable of going a more direct route when necessary.
A lot of that balance comes from the midfield pairing of Devoy and Ross Tierney. As partnerships go in this league, it’s right up there.
Devoy’s range of passing is outstanding and his ability to break up play and mop up danger has improved dramatically.
Tierney, meanwhile, has that knack of popping up in dangerous areas and asking questions of defenders. When it comes to winning free-kicks and taking pressure off your team – he’s the best in the business at that.
They’re also very enjoyable to watch.
Up front, Whelan’s form will be crucial if Bohs are to sustain their momentum. A striker in rhythm can carry a team through difficult periods and he looks like a player brimming with confidence.
The fact that Douglas James-Taylor is waiting in the wings - and has yet to truly hit the form we know he’s capable of in a Bohs shirt - only adds to the sense that there’s more to come from this squad.
Which brings us to the obvious question.
Are Bohemians genuine title challengers?
My immediate instinct when I ask myself that question is no.
But when I try to justify that answer, it becomes surprisingly difficult.
The squad depth is stronger than last season. The midfield is as strong as any in the league. They have a striker scoring goals and competition behind him. They’re playing with confidence and energy.
So why the doubt?
For me, it’s the defence - or at least the perception of it.
At right-back, the signing of Darragh Power looks like a very smart addition. He’s reliable and brings plenty of league experience, while Niall Morahan provides under-rated cover.
On the left, Jordan Flores has had his difficulties in the past in that role but looks far more comfortable now, while Senan Mullen and Ryan Burke - signed from Waterford - offer further options.
In truth, there’s more than enough depth there.
The centre-half pairing is what intrigues me the most.
Todd has quietly become a very experienced defender at this level. Last season he was occasionally deployed at left wing-back which never quite looked natural, but he did a steady job when asked.
Experience in this league as a defender is priceless. Just look at the consistency of Paddy Barrett, Roberto Lopes and Joe Redmond - their reliability is built on years of understanding the demands of the division.
Patrick Hickey, however, was the big unknown for me.
I always assumed he would be playing just off the striker as a number ten, using the aerial threat and physical presence we saw so effectively during his time at Galway United.
When rumours started circulating that he might be used at centre-back, it naturally raised a few doubts about this Bohemians defence.
But performances so far have quickly eased those concerns.
Hickey and Todd look like a partnership that has been playing together for years. Four clean sheets from five games tells its own story, and the only two goals conceded came late against Rovers when the game was already won.
Finding a centre-half capable of replicating the standard set by Sean Grehan in the first half of last season always felt like it would be difficult.
Perhaps Bohs have simply found that solution in the most unexpected place - a player many of us assumed would be playing just off the striker.
And if that unlikely conversion continues to work, then perhaps it’s time we start asking that question about Bohemians again.
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