As Steve Bruce says, Birmingham City might only be "eight per cent" into the season, but the sight of the Coca-Cola Championship table is enough to provide the manager with enthusiasm as he takes his team to Cardiff City tomorrow.
Four matches into the campaign and Birmingham are at the top, unbeaten, and still not close to fulfilling their potential. Cardiff are in second position and performing with the fortitude expected of a team run by Dave Jones.
"Sure, it will be a tough match for Birmingham," Bruce said. "But it will be a tough match for Cardiff, too."
Jones, who led Wolverhampton Wanderers into the Premiership in 2003, has put together the strongest Cardiff team since the late 1960s and has aroused the admiration of Bruce.
"I like Dave and have a lot of respect for what he has achieved," Bruce said. "He can take Cardiff into the Premiership because he has done it before, with Wolves. He has handled himself well and I am pleased for him.
"I always enjoy his company. He has done well with Stockport County, Wolves and it looks like he will do the same there, too.
"I am not surprised that Cardiff are up there. I don't think anyone expected Reading to run away with the Championship last season but they did. As I've said, there are 12 teams who are likely to be involved this year.
"Cardiff have invested the squad, partly with the money we gave them [£3 million Cameron Jerome], and they have good players. I like Michael Chopra and Steven Thompson. They have got a good midfield, too, with Stephen McPhail and Ricci Scimeca. They have got a good chance.
"But this league is difficult to predict. Who would have thought that Reading would go up last season and Watford with them?"
Bryan Robson, the West Bromwich Albion manager, has already vouched for Cardiff's quality. Albion drew 1-1 away to Cardiff on August 12 but were on the back foot for much of the match.
"Yes, we're both in the top two but I think it is too early to be talking about the league table," Bruce said. "I would prefer it if we were in the top two with just one match to play."
Still, Birmingham have made themselves difficult to defeat. They have not won a match by more than one goal yet they are looking so strong at the back that Bruce must be secretly pleased.
The lack of firepower might concern him, however, for Birmingham have only scored five goals in four Championship matches.
With that in mind, Bruce is in the process of amassing a large squad, one that can deal with the rigours of Coca-Cola Championship football. Injuries cost the club dearly in the Premiership last season and Bruce does not want a repeat.
He is still planning to be active in the transfer market before the window closes on August 31.
"My biggest headache is getting the balance right," Bruce said. Even the best teams can have the balance wrong. We have the debate about Gerrard and Lampard. It would seem like a match made in heaven but there is something not quite right there.
"The right balance is what we are looking for. And I will try to do something but there is nothing to report at this stage."
Cameron Jerome, the Birmingham striker, returns to Ninian Park for the first time since his £3 million move from Cardiff to Birmingham. He has only played two minutes of the season and has just completed a three-match suspension.
Dudley - DJ - Campbell will be looking for a place in the starting line-up after responding well to advice from Bruce about how to make the grade at St Andrew's.
"People forget that this is his first pre-season," Bruce said. "But I just felt, in the summer, that DJ was just happy to be here. But that is not what it is about. And, to be fair, he has pulled up his socks and is doing well."
Darren Purse, the former Birmingham defender, will not be playing for Cardiff. He was sent off against Leeds United last weekend and will be suspended.
Purse initially flourished under Bruce as Birmingham gained promotion to the Premiership in 2002. But he soon left for Albion and, having failed to impress Bryan Robson, went to Cardiff.
