EARLY impressions so far then. Refereeing standards at the three games this reporter attended over the weekend were very poor. As should be the case, pitches appear notably good (Sligo's has never looked better) and "the Wimbledon thing" may even have had a galvanic affect on supporters of the domestic game.

This is judging by the relatively healthy early season attendances of 3,000 to 4,000 at Tolka Park, Richmond and Dalymount Park, as well as the Showgrounds, despite clashing with the opening World Cup qualifier and the All Ireland football final on two of the three weekends.

And the football? Save for the excellent Shelbourne Bohemians tussle, it's been good without being edge of the seat stuff just yet, but it's warming up nicely. Not too much should be read into an embryonic table, given just a few goals here or there in so many tight matches could have made it radically different.

Allowing for the sight of pointless Cork propping up the Premier Division, arguably the most surprising feature of a cursory glance at the table is that of their League Cup quarter final opponents in Richmond Park tonight St Patrick's, trailing eight points behind Derry and new favourites Bohemians in 10th place.

It's a simplistic and very raw looking statistic," responded Brian Kerr yesterday, not reaching for the barbiturates just yet.

"All I can say is that we could have had nine based on the three games that we played. Friday's match (a 1-2 defeat to Bohemians) was probably the one we least deserved to win but we could have had a draw."

Undoubtedly his prognosis is not too far wide of the mark. As Kerr maintains, St Patrick's passed the ball around well and remained composed in chasing the game against Bohemians (always a trying task) though I accept we didn't have enough happening in the box and we didn't get around them at the back."

By all accounts, St Patrick's deserved more from greater possession and chances in the 1-0 defeat to Dundalk and the scoreless draw with Shamrock Rovers, whom they had beaten 3-1 in the League Cup.

Thus the problem, such as it is, is fairly clear cut. While defensively the champions have remained solid, goals (one in three league games) have dried up.

"Whereas we looked like we could always get a goal when we needed one and when our play deserved one, now they're not going in for us. That's one of the imponderables of football," admitted Kerr.

Tonight's game is well timed, offering the possibility of a restorative win. "We need to score first in a match, and we need that very badly. We've been chasing the games, although I've felt we've chased them quite well."

Martin Reilly offers another attacking option and Kerr's hand will be strengthened when Jason Byrne and Liam Buckley return from injury. Brian Morrisroe's loss of confidence on the left hasn't helped. Paul Campbell offers different strengths to Noel Mernagh's nuts and bolts holding midfield role while, suddenly, at Dalymount Trevor Crolly didn't look quite the player he did last year at Drogheda or in an auspicious League Cup campaign.

However, though the talented Packie Lynch doesn't seem his self assured self just yet, Kerr is "pleased with the extra dimension his passing gives us from the back."

Allied to dovetailing new signings with established personnel and playing style, is the second season syndrome. "There's no doubt about that. We wouldn't have been in the situation where we could strengthen the team at all costs. We've got in some good young players and we're looking at rebuilding the ground. I think that's as it should be. We could have gone the wrong way and made some stupid decisions. But I understand that the retention of the title is more difficult."

Concerned though he is, Kerr, his managerial team and most of his proven squad have been over the long haul often enough to not start panicking just yet. "But the reality is we've only one point we've got to forget about it, get on from there and start getting points as soon as we can.

"It's not a good start and the only satisfying thing is that you rely on your experience and the planning and so forth. We will get a return. We have got good players and we know it will come round but we need it to come around soon or they'll be too far gone away from us to be in contention."

Crisis? What crisis? Well, perhaps a mini crisis but, so far at any rate, no more than that.

. Latest odds for the FAI Harp Lager National League Premier Division (courtesy of Paddy Powers) are: 5/2 Bohemians, 7/2 Shelbourne, 9/2 Derry, 6/1 St Patrick's, 7/1 Sligo. 8/1 Shamrock Rovers, 12/1 Dundalk, 20/1 Bray, Cork, UCD, 200/1 Finn Harps, Home Farm/Everton.