Full-back Lee Peltier says he would be "disappointed" if Cardiff City failed to reach the Championship play-offs at the end of the season.
Ninth-placed Cardiff are currently a point off the play-offs following a 1-0 defeat at promotion rivals Birmingham City last Friday.
"We've got a strong squad that should be up in the top six, without a doubt" Peltier said.
"Personally I'd be disappointed if we didn't make it [the play-offs]."
Cardiff are at MK Dons on Boxing Day before back-to-back home games against Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers.
Peltier, 29, who joined Cardiff from Huddersfield Town in January 2015, says they need a winning run over the busy festive period.
"They're the sort of games we have to pick up three points if we want to be in the top six," Peltier added.
"I think we need that consistency in terms of winning.
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"The results aren't too bad in terms of drawing games, we're winning games and then we'll lose a game.
"It's about putting the wins together. Two or three wins gets you right in there and then you've got to sustain it.
"Sometimes you don't really need to play well just to nick a 1-0 win."
Peltier's fellow defender Sean Morrison will be out for up to six weeks with a knee injury
Ben Turner, who Cardiff had considered recalling from a loan at Coventry City, faces an operation on an ankle problem and could be out for the season.
Cardiff are now considering signing a centre back during the January window although Peltier believes they can cope in the meantime.
"We've got quality people to come in," Peltier added.
"We're missing them two but then we've got Bruno [Ecuele Manga] to come in, who's a quality defender in the Championship."