Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau insists he's not trying to fool anybody when he says this year's A-League title isn't his objective.
The Reds' stunning surge has many pundits rating them championship contenders - just two losses in their past dozen matches taking them to the upper reaches of the ladder.
Adelaide's eye-catching stretch hasn't forced Gombau to change his season-long mantra: the title isn't his main goal.
"My first year, I was very honest when I say it (the title) is not my objective," Gombau said.
"My objective is to put in the style. Now, the style is coming.
"I say no (to this year's title) because ... the work is not done in one year.
"Next season, we need to fight to win this. Will we win or not? I don't know. But the target needs to be this."
But Gombau, whose outfit thumped Wellington Phoenix 5-1 on Thursday night to take third spot, admits he is uncertain what his team could achieve this season.
"I don't know if this is the highest level in our team this season or not - just keep going, play hard," he said.
"We can get better.
"But I don't know. From now to the end of the season we won't change movement, we have one more step to do but we will do that next season.
"The team is doing well, the confidence of the players is high. But game by game.
"If you lose the focus, you can lose ... we need to work hard every single game to try and be in the top six. And when we are in the top six, try to make the best that we can."
