Conor Kearns is simply remaining focused. Being cool and composed is critical for a goalkeeper, but the recent evidence highlights Kearns' relevance to the Galway United cause.
Six clean sheets have been registered in United's last seven matches with Kearns a commanding figure for John Caulfield's in form team.
"We went on a stretch where we were maybe giving up some soft goals," Kearns reflects. "We were actually defending quite well for the majority of the season, but we were just giving up silly individual mistakes.
"I think we have turned that corner now, we look a bit more solid. Again that comes from hard work and focusing, treating every game on its own merits.
"If we stop doing that we will be in for a bit of trouble, so we have to maintain those standards as a group."
Friday's 3-0 win over Athlone Town illustrated United's perseverance. Initially the midlanders' caused some problems before United seized the initiative after the restart.
"It was pleasing, we probably weren't at our best in the first half, but I think the lads showed a lot of character to dig in, to put Athlone under a lot more pressure in the second," Kearns says.
"We got the goals, I felt, we deserved. The last couple of performances have been very professional, but we have to keep that momentum going. We cannot take the foot off the gas now. We have a big one next week and we have to turn up from minute one and tear into them."
United moved to the summit of the table following the Athlone triumph, but a demanding match now awaits against Cork City.
"It is a big game in the sense that at the moment we are the top two, but it is still only three points on the line," Kearns adds.
"We have to treat them with the same respect we treat everyone else. We have to do the same things, keep to the same principles. I don't think we can get overawed and build it up too much." Kearns is hopeful that United can build on the solid foundation established during the opening months of the campaign.
"We have great team camaraderie, we have a lot of faith in each other as players, we know the ability we have in the dressing room," Kearns says.
"So even at half-time people might expect that lads are tearing into each other, but it is not the case at all, we had that year together last year which helped.
"We know we have the quality, we know at times we have to be patient. Teams will come to sit in, to try to frustrate us, but ultimately if we stick to our principles and keep pushing and pushing, we will always have that bit of quality.
"There is no expectation that things are just going to happen in the team. We know we have to work for every result, especially in this league. People look at Athlone, they haven't too many points on the board, but they have caused a lot of problems for a lot of teams lately. We treated them with a lot of respect, that is why we were able to get the three points."
Maintaining that level of consistency is vital according to Kearns.
"We have to do the same thing the next week, the week after that, just keep pushing and pushing," he adds. "We need to treat every team with respect, but ultimately try to dictate the game in our style."
The imminent Cork clash will be revealing.
**Listen to the full interview with Galway United goalkeeper Conor Kearns on this week's 'Cian on Sport' podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
