Despite their recent upturn, Richie Holland insists Cork City are nowhere near where they should be in the Premier Division as they head to the Brandywell tonight.
The Leesiders' woeful run on their return to the top flight resulted in Colin Healy stepping down in early May.
After a bedding-in period, City's interim management presided over a four-game winning run that was ended before the mid-season break by Dundalk.
READ MORE: Cork City keen on Jaze Kabia as Matt Healy talks in progress
With UCD lagging badly behind, that run at least brought City back to within two points of Drogheda and Sligo and they will face both rivals over the next four games.
Interim boss Holland acknowledges that his side is in a healthier position now but maintains that there's still so much more to come.
"No, you can't be happy because we're still in a situation where we're looking at teams ahead of us and behind us," he said.
"We're Cork City, we're a massive club and we want to be back up where we should be but it's going to take time.
"The majority of the group here didn't have Premier Division experience so for them now, they're getting more attuned to the intensity of the games and tactically what the games demand of you.
"We've had a couple of good wins and there's been some momentum. Previously it was just individual mistakes that were costing us points.
"That has cleared up a little bit and some of it was down to lads learning on the job. Going to a back five has helped as well.
"Hopefully we can carry that on into the second half of the season and get enough points that we can push up the League.
"We know it's going to be one of the most difficult games because we're up against a side that's really talented up on a big pitch, on the astro pitch."
Derry went into the break in second place behind Shamrock Rovers but have only picked up two points from their last four games - and scored just one goal in that period.
With an away game against the Hoops to follow on Monday, Ruaidhri Higgins' side can't afford to fall further than six points behind.
"They've got League winners, Cup winners within their group and are a very experienced side," said Holland.
"We've looked at the games they've lost at the Brandywell and they've missed quite a few chances in those games.
"Teams going up there are setting up a certain way to defend and when you set up defensively, you're going to give them quite a bit of possession and at the same time good players will find ways to score.
"We have to expect that they'll create chances and it's up to us to find ways to prevent that by defending the box properly and doing all the right things.
"They're going through a little period at the moment that nearly every team has gone through so far but it won't be long before they'll be back and performing to their levels and scoring lots of goals again.
"I hope it's not Friday night but we have to be ready for everything."
