Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi is not even contemplating missing out on the play-offs, such is his natural optimism.
But the Frenchman admits he can understand why some Reds fans will feel a little nervous ahead of tonight’s big game.
A point at home to Stoke City will see Lamouchi’s side through - although ending a five-match winless run is the aim.
Lose, however, and there is the chance Swansea City could steal their top six spot, should the seventh-placed side beat Reading and swing goal difference in their favour.
For your latest Forest news sign up to our newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page - or click here
Given his team’s recent form and the club’s past history with the play-offs, the manager accepts not everyone may share his positivity - but it is a mentality he is eager to change.
“I am positive all the time and I try to enjoy my life. I don’t want to be pessimistic,” Lamouchi said.
“We are lucky. I am lucky anyway.
“I just want to explain to the players, do what you have done and do what you have to do, and you will see.
“My natural instinct is to be optimistic, so why should I be different now and be pessimistic?
“I know the atmosphere around, but what can I do about that? Nothing.
“But I can understand about the many, many years when it has been ‘typical Forest’. But I was not here before.
“I am just working hard, not thinking about the worst scenario.
“I am working hard, with a lot of sacrifice, for the positive things.
“We need to change the mentality. But to change the mentality in a short time is not easy.
“But I can understand that.
“What I want to say to the players is, of course we have the option to be out (of the play-offs), but we have more options to be in.
“Some pessimistic people can see the negative aspects, but if I am looking at the whole year and what my squad, my boys, have done it is just fantastic.
“With the win, everybody will talk about a great, amazing, fantastic season - and they will start again to believe.
“Maybe before the play-offs - if we get there - they will start to say, ‘maybe it is not our time’.
“But this is not my way to think.
“I am working hard because I don’t just believe we can win today.
“But we have an important game today, and we need to focus on that, only on that.”
Forest have spent the majority of the campaign - Lamouchi’s first in charge - in and around the top six.
The head coach is convinced his team are worthy of their place come the final reckoning, but knows they must prove it on the pitch.
“I think we deserve to be there. My players deserve to be in the play-offs. But talking is not enough,” he said.
“We need to get the point.
“We have been there for most of the games and it has been a fantastic season until now, but we need to finish the job.
“We need to play for the win. If we don’t get three points, we need to save a point.
“We have to be focused until the last whistle from the referee.
“Everybody knows exactly what they have to do.
“One year ago, I signed a one year (contract) for that - and here we are.
“I just want to finish the job.”
