Sol Campbell believes Portsmouth must secure a place in Europe to celebrate a successful season.
Pompey are now looking forward to next week's FA Cup final against Cardiff but Campbell concedes the club's conclusion to their Barclays Premier League campaign has been disappointing.
Sunday's final-game loss to relegation battlers Fulham was their fourth in succession and hardly ideal preparation for their attempts to win the cup for the first time since 1939.
Harry Redknapp's side had still done enough to secure their best Premier League placing of eighth, but former Arsenal centre-back Campbell wants to aim higher.
The 33-year-old, who hopes to return at Wembley after missing the Fulham loss with hamstring trouble, said: "We've got to stop talking about over-achievement.
"Too many guys here have been at the top and it's time to move away from those kind of comments.
"The (top-quality) players are here and we need to get away from the kind of mentality where we should feel pleased about finishing eighth.
"We've really got to knuckle down, train right and make sure everybody is focused and up for the game on Saturday. But forget the FA Cup for a moment - we have to win the game and get ourselves into Europe.
"Winning the FA Cup would be fantastic, but the main objective is Europe.
"It's difficult when you lose games but we have really got to concentrate on the weekend now and make sure we get our preparation right and our attitude right."
Campbell is expected to be back to lead the side at Wembley after Redknapp took the precaution of leaving him out against the Cottagers.
He confirmed: "I've just had a little bit of hamstring tightness. I want to play in every game but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture.
"Next week is a massive game for us and we need to have everybody fit for that. We've got to run, we've got to chase and do everything right up and down the pitch.
"We will respect the opponents because anyone can win this game, but from there you have got to start playing your football.
"We've just lost four games and we are certainly not happy about the results, but we've got to settle down and keep to the plan.
"We have to remember that in some of those games we've played really well and the odd give-away goal has let us down."
Pompey's other pre-Wembley casualty, England goalkeeper David James, is also adamant he will be fit for the final after missing three games with a torn calf muscle.
Scans have shown it has already healed but boss Redknapp did not want to risk further damage when he has a dependable deputy like Jamie Ashdown on call.
Redknapp said: "I thought I knew my cup final team last week but now there's one or two things that might change my mind. Places are still there to be earned in training this week."
Redknapp's major concerns must be an attack that has scored only twice in six games since beating West Brom in the semi-finals last month - and a defence that is falling down on the basics and giving away goals at set-pieces like Danny Murphy's yesterday.
And he could find himself under more pressure given the comments of Pompey owner Alexandre Gaydamak who, in a rare interview with the Portsmouth News, has said he has told Redknapp to take the club into the Champions League.
Gaydamak said: "Next year the pressure will rise and we will have to work on player recruitment and the infrastructure, especially if we qualify for Europe, and it is my job to make funds available for the manager.
"When I first joined we got out of relegation but now it seems realistic to aim for a place in the top four. To do so needs a certain structure, a mindset."
