Cape Town - Maritzburg United coach Steve Komphela believes their PSL position is a reflection of all their hard work in training.
The Team of Choice sit fourth after 10 games of the season and are amongst several surprise packages so far, but the statistics have also backed their lofty position.
They are the fourth best goalscorers in the league, having netted 14 times, with only leaders Kaizer Chiefs, seventh-placed SuperSport United and Polokwane City in 12th doing better - all on 15 goals.
Komphela's men also boast the third best defensive record, with their seven goals conceded bettered only by Amakhosi on four and fifth-placed Mamelodi Sundowns with six.
"The last time I checked we were amongst the better scoring teams and defensively we were also amongst the better performing ones too," the United coach said.
"Now when you look at those statistics, they inspire you. They show the amount of work you have put in and we'll go back now and keep working."
Komphela admits, though, there is still a long way to go if they want to sustain their position come the end of the season.
"It's a long season," he added.
"We have to go on working hard and fighting for every point if we want to achieve our targets for the season."
The Pietermaritzburg club travel to third-placed Ajax Cape Town when the championship resumes this weekend.