Chris Wilder has challenged his Sheffield United players to "look up" the Premier League table as they pursue an unlikely Champions League spot.
United are currently sixth in their first season back in the top division, just two points off the top four with 12 games remaining in the campaign.
Fifth place could be enough to secure Champions League football for next season if Manchester City's two-year ban from European competition is upheld, and Wilder understands the growing excitement around Bramall Lane.
"Of course people will talk about looking up and I want us to look up, I want us to go and reel in the teams above us," he said.
"I can't go into a team meeting in half an hour and just say 'Let's be careful of staying out the bottom three'.
"We've been realistic all along. It's a tough division and we were favourites to go down, from what we spend, to what we pay, to where we've been, to the group that we've got, to being a promoted team - the second best promoted team out of the Championship last year.
"But this is a fresh season and we've gone for it. We've been consistent in our approach, in our play and now we're in this position."
Wilder insists his plans for the remainder of the season have not been altered by Manchester City's suspension and has warned his players against taking their "foot of the gas" in the race for European football.
"Nothing changes," said Wilder. "It is an extremely competitive league. We're proud of our position at the moment and we've worked extremely hard to get into that position.
"We've done a lot of things right and we're going to have to do a lot of things right between now and the end of the season.
"We need the bounce of the ball, to stay clear of big injuries, but I've got a really good group of focused boys who have got a huge amount of belief in themselves and their really looking forward to the next game."
More to follow…
Peyclortz
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Dea gea error cost us at Everton , and am confused that point could prove a vital point in a bid for top 4.