Kal Naismith is determined not to let habits slip at Bristol City, insisting this season has provided another opportunity to build on targets going forward despite numerous setbacks.
The 31-year-old admitted the club have fallen short of their goals and ambitions with the club currently sitting in 15th heading into the final game of the season against Queens Park Rangers on Monday.
Nigel Pearson spoke of the aim to force their way into the play-offs at the beginning of the campaign but a lack of consistency in results and injuries, despite positive performances on the whole, have seen City stumble in stages over the course of nine months.
Naismith couldn't help but feel slightly deflated while doing his lap of honour following Saturday's final home game against Burnley. Not only because of the 2-1 loss but also because they couldn't give the supporters more encouragement and success this season.
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, he said: "The fans are amazing and as a feeling, it's quite difficult going around and clapping them but it's what you need to do because they've shown support for us all season and they've been amazing.
"But I almost felt I wanted to walk around there and give them something to cheer about. Another few games or the play-offs to go into. We wanted to give them more but that's something we're building.
"We've made big steps this season and we don't stop here, we need to make more because the reality is, we've fallen short of where we want to be this season.
"We've set our goals and we've not achieved them so we'll definitely be working hard over pre-season to go again. We're trying to build habits here and habits are about standards and not slipping under them.
"We've got to keep trying to entertain that and not let it slip. In the last game, people will say there's nothing to play for but there is. We're building something, it's not just a failure because we've not achieved anything this year, it's about little steps this year to take into next year so we'll look to get a positive result which we can take into the summer."
There has been notable progress both on and off the pitch this season, even if it hasn't been entirely reflected in the league table with City currently one point better off than 12 months ago. A reduced wage bill and being able to run the club more sustainably has taken time and patience, while there have been numerous success stories with more academy players coming through including Tommy Conway and Sam Bell.
City's injury record has improved on the whole but Naismith has been one player, alongside Tomas Kalas and Rob Atkinson, who have faced frustrating spells on the sidelines. He has missed 20 games with two separate calf injuries and his absence has been a real blow both in terms of leaving Pearson light of options and having impacted the style of play.
Naismith's ability to play progressive football from the back, deliver crosses into the area, and play between the lines has been an important factor in how City attack. His injury record has been a concern following his free transfer last summer but he's adamant he'll come back into the new season in his best physical shape.
There remains one uncertainty, however, and that's his position on the pitch going forward. He started the season as a centre-back but moved into midfield when City shifted to a back four in the New Year where he impressed.
However, since his return from injury, Naismith's last four games have been in defence in the continued absence of Kalas and Atkinson. When asked about his position in the team next season, he responded: "It's a good question and one you probably need to ask the manager but for me, I know I can do both positions.
"For me, I'm going to have a week or 10 days to let my body and mind rest and then I'll make sure I'm in the best shape that I've ever been in coming into the summer after and wherever I'm asked to play, my body will be in perfect physical shape and I'll be ready to go.
"It's obviously been frustrating and the injuries is always part of football and it's the part that no one sees. You have a lot of hard battles in your head and in your body and everything.
"I've worked hard and the team here, the physios have been amazing with me. I need to thank them and I have done and just to get back before the end of the season was good from a mental well-being side. To get a run out with a few games and knowing that I'm good going into the summer and I need to make sure my body is right for next year."
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