WILL JARVIS is bidding to dish out some more capital punishment tomorrow night as he thrives under Damien Duff.
Shelbourne have won their three Dublin derbies to date with Jarvis scoring once against both Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians and twice against St Pat’s.
His form for the league leaders saw him named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for March.
And Jarvis will look to chip in again when Bohs visit a sold-out Tolka Park.
Jarvis, 21, said: “It’s going to be a massive game. They are going to come out flying so we are going to have to do the same.”
That is exactly what they have done since the start of the season, winning six and drawing three of their first nine games which sees them enjoying a six-point advantage at the top of the table.
And the York native detects a different mood within the squad compared to when he arrived for his first spell on loan from Hull City last summer.
He said: “Last season when I came, I think we lost one game in 12 to Rovers and I think the form and the team spirit just carried on into this season and improved.
“I think the players believe more they can win the league. Where last year we were pushing for third, fourth, fifth maybe, this season we genuinely believe we can win the league, we don’t see why we can’t.
“Just at the start of the season we were having meetings, team meetings, and we were sat there thinking ’Why can’t we win the league?’
“I think we deserve to be up there and have the squad and the staff to be up there. Obviously it’s early doors but I don’t see why we can’t win the league.
“We’ve never had a better chance, we’ll see what happens.”
When he first came, he had Hull team-mate Harry Wood for company.
But, whilst he opted to go on loan to Grimsby Town this year, Jarvis was happy to return to Tolka Park and says the capture of Liam Burt from Rovers on a permanent basis has helped fill the void.
He said: “I was speaking with Luke Byrne a lot and the gaffer a lot as well and the sort of stuff they were saying to me sounded appealing. It was a no-brainer for me.
“Last season I didn’t know what to expect so it was sort of nerve wracking.
“I think me and Harry settled in well and we were both living together which was good in that sense. As soon as we came to Shels, it just clicked. The way we play it suited us both down to a tee.
“Now I know what to expect, I know the team and staff so I can just play my own game.
“And Liam’s excellent, he has got so much ability. Me on one side and him on the other, it’s sort of the same type of player. In counter attacks as well, I think he’s a brilliant player.”
The pair of them are benefiting from the expertise of Damien Duff who knows a thing or two about playing out wide from his own illustrious career.
BIG BOSS
Jarvis said: “The gaffer played the same position as I play and if I can’t learn off the gaffer, then I can’t learn off anyone. It was a big sway in the decision to come here and I’m glad I made that choice.
“I knew he was a great player back in his day. I was too young to remember most of his games but the game I do remember was against Barcelona in the Champions League, but that’s about it.
“Obviously, I’ve had a little look at YouTube of the clips and stuff. I’ve heard he was a great player.
“Since I’ve come here, the hints and help he has given me in terms of little movements has been so helpful. Little turns and just stuff that he used in his games to make a career.
“In training, the drills we do, the gaffer will take the attackers for shooting or movement. Honestly, he’s brilliant.”