Town are aiming for a top-six finish in the season ahead but striker David McGoldrick admits: “That’s where every team wants to be.”

But while some will ultimately be pleased to settle for mere survival in the ever-competitive Championship, he is adamant a play-off place will remain a realistic target towards the closing stages of the campaign for manager Mick McCarthy & Co.

McGoldrick said: “Obviously we know where we want to finish — every team wants to be in that top six. I think we’ve really got a good chance, but at the same time the teams that have come up and the teams that have come down are well equipped.

“It’s going to be tough. Hopefully we’ll get good home form again. I think we’ve had some good players come in and there might be a bit more activity yet. We’ve got a good squad and I think we can be around those top places.

“It’s going to be tough, but we say that every year. We’ve added some good players to our squad. If they fit in like I’ve seen them fit in in training I think we’ll have a good chance.

“We need a good start. There are some tough games, but if we can get some points — like I know we can — then it will stand us in good stead.”

Meanwhile, McGoldrick has thanked the club for sending him Stateside in the summer for part of his rehabilitation under the supervision of Bill Knowles, a world-renowned expert in his field.

McGoldrick clearly felt the benefit of working with Philadelphia-based Knowles and said: “He’s very well known. He’s worked with people like Michael Owen, Mario Balotelli and Tiger Woods.

“He was name dropping left, right and centre! It’s not a bad list to be fair, though, and it certainly got my attention.

“A lot of the rehab stuff was all about leg strength. It wasn’t cardio. The Americans are 20 years ahead of us and they were doing stuff I’ve never done before.

“I woke up every morning and my legs were sore in a good way. I’ve continued that back here with physios Alex Chapman and Matt Byard.

“I think it’s definitely helped out. I have to thank Marcus Evans for giving it the green light. It was completely different stuff to what I’ve seen and done before.

“The English way is squats and leg press, but there was none of that out there. It was more to do with core strength. I was working on parts on the leg that I’ve never felt ache before. It was really enjoyable and really eye-opening.”

Photo: Action Images

battyblue added 06:18 - Aug 8 Really pleased things look to be on track and hope the goals keep coming we really need a prolific scorer in the team,but think we should be targeting a top two finish always aim for the top weather we are capable or not.
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Popeye added 07:51 - Aug 8 Think Town will just miss out again this season. As we found out last season, a good tight knit squad will get you so far, but then you need talent and quality to get into the top six which I think at the moment Town don't have. Cressy has gone but parr, henshall and stewart have come in so its down to personal opinion whether squad is stronger or weaker than last season.

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hogster1970 added 08:29 - Aug 8 you hit the nail on the head popeye, you will always need that bit of flair and skill and pace to give you that extra 20% to gain promotion and stay there, one thing about diddsy over other strikers is that he is good at engineering his own goals from a cr@p postion, most of his last year came that way, he didnt do many tap ins, alot of strikers need setting up, were diddsy sets his own up, so lets hope we can push and atleast draw against the scum at home, i would be very happy if we managed 5 points after the scum game, and that wont be a easy target to reach ,

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brian_a_mul added 09:17 - Aug 8 These rehabs sessions are super expensive. Fair play to ME for sorting that one out, plus it looks as if the Physios have learned a few new tricks which may help our squad/ players when they face they type of injuries in future!
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tractorboybig added 10:01 - Aug 8 At this stage I think the squad is weaker than last season. It looks like we are hoping to get some prem loans in. We have a' not to lose bunch of players' but no one who puts us in the same league as the favourites.
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morgz259 added 11:11 - Aug 8 Tractorboybig, I was thinking that last night. There really isn't a lot of mention about ourselves being up there. Which ain't bad thing really, defiantly the dark horses this season. Our boys are certainly up for the challenge . COYB
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bluefeast added 11:48 - Aug 8 I dont fancy us vs Fulham at all. Draw at best , what can we create ,side will be weaker than the end of last season without cresswell and williams. You never know but i see dogged.
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Scottie9 added 11:53 - Aug 8 News around is that Billy Sharp is going to be handed a free transfer by Southampton. What a signing that could be for the town!
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TimmyH added 12:59 - Aug 8 Heart says yes but head says just above mid-table - some decent Premiership loans need to come in the next few weeks in the creative midfield position and attacking/LM or RM and then we stand a chance.
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scunnyblue added 15:52 - Aug 8 I agree with mainly what has been said above. For us to really challenge for playoffs/promotion really depends on the success or failure of the loans we are able to bring in. But there is no doubt in my mind 2/3 good loan signings and i could see us finish top 6
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