David Nugent said Leicester City are quietly confident they can gain promotion this season.
City's preparations for the new campaign have been low-key this summer as manager Nigel Pearson admits he deliberately tries to keep a lid on expectation.
But Nugent revealed the players were driven by the memory of their dramatic play-off exit last season and are full of confidence that this could be a big campaign for them.
"Promotion is the aim again," he said. "If we had avoided that 15-game spell towards the end of the last season, when we were in a bit of trouble, I am sure we would have gone up automatically.
"Football is a funny game and you go on bad runs, but it is up to us to be consistent. That is the key and, if we are consistent, I am sure we will be in the top two.
"It has been low-key in pre-season. We haven't played many games. It has all been done at the training ground, playing 90 minutes between ourselves.
"There is a togetherness in this group and we all can't wait for the season to start."
Nugent admits he is more fired up by the way the last campaign ended at Watford, when City were only a spot-kick away from Wembley.
"I still think about it," he said. "I haven't watched the full game yet. I only watch up to 60 minutes and then switch it off.
"It was a horrible situation to be in but that is football. We are getting over it and it will make us stronger. I am sure, with the memory of what went on, everyone will do a lot better."
