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Neil Lennon has challenged Wanderers to prove they should be considered dark horses for the play-offs in the New Year.
Facing a mouth-watering home derby against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day, the Whites boss believes those in the top half of the Championship are now starting to look over their shoulder at his ever-improving side.
Although Wanderers are still 12 points off the play-offs, they are second only to table-toppers Bournemouth in terms of form since Lennon took charge.
And while expectation levels are starting to rise, the Northern Irishman believes his squad should embrace the challenge of chasing a top six spot.
“Listen, I know there are going to be bumps in the road between now and the end of the season,” he said. “But I’m not frightened about saying we’re looking at the top six now.
“The win at Millwall put some pressure on the teams around us and now we’re looking at a big derby on Boxing Day. But it’s something the players should be relishing.
“We are seven unbeaten, we’ve had four clean sheets in a row, and without getting carried away I think the Millwall win was huge in the context of our season. It was very important.
“Expectation comes with success. Sometimes it can be unrealistic but we know there is a lot of work to do.”
There was more good news for the Whites as it emerged Craig Davies could feature for the first time in a fortnight against Blackburn after returning from a hamstring strain.
The Wales international had been in top form before limping out of the goalless draw at Reading on December 6.
Kevin McNaughton is also likely to be named in the squad after nearly two months on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
Lennon has restructured the typical working schedule over the festive period to allow players to spend some time with their family on Christmas Day.
But the squad will assemble in the evening for a training session in preparation for the Blackburn game and stay together in a hotel, as has become the norm.
“After the Millwall game the players gave everything and they were absolutely spent,” Lennon said. “Of course, that’s how you want them to be.
“We’ll have Christmas Eve in, Christmas Day at home and then the night training for Blackburn on Boxing Day.
“It’s a little bit different but I do think it’s important you get some time with the family over this period.”
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Facing a mouth-watering home derby against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day, the Whites boss believes those in the top half of the Championship are now starting to look over their shoulder at his ever-improving side.
Although Wanderers are still 12 points off the play-offs, they are second only to table-toppers Bournemouth in terms of form since Lennon took charge.
And while expectation levels are starting to rise, the Northern Irishman believes his squad should embrace the challenge of chasing a top six spot.
“Listen, I know there are going to be bumps in the road between now and the end of the season,” he said. “But I’m not frightened about saying we’re looking at the top six now.
“The win at Millwall put some pressure on the teams around us and now we’re looking at a big derby on Boxing Day. But it’s something the players should be relishing.
“We are seven unbeaten, we’ve had four clean sheets in a row, and without getting carried away I think the Millwall win was huge in the context of our season. It was very important.
“Expectation comes with success. Sometimes it can be unrealistic but we know there is a lot of work to do.”
There was more good news for the Whites as it emerged Craig Davies could feature for the first time in a fortnight against Blackburn after returning from a hamstring strain.
The Wales international had been in top form before limping out of the goalless draw at Reading on December 6.
Kevin McNaughton is also likely to be named in the squad after nearly two months on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
Lennon has restructured the typical working schedule over the festive period to allow players to spend some time with their family on Christmas Day.
But the squad will assemble in the evening for a training session in preparation for the Blackburn game and stay together in a hotel, as has become the norm.
“After the Millwall game the players gave everything and they were absolutely spent,” Lennon said. “Of course, that’s how you want them to be.
“We’ll have Christmas Eve in, Christmas Day at home and then the night training for Blackburn on Boxing Day.
“It’s a little bit different but I do think it’s important you get some time with the family over this period.”
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