Middlesbrough's bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt is the absolute priority for new manager Garry Monk.
The 38-year-old has succeeded Steve Agnew at the Riverside following Boro's relegation to the Championship.
He just missed out on the play-offs with fellow Championship side Leeds last term, before leaving last month.
"There's no denying the ambition is to get back to the Premier League this season." Monk told BBC Tees.
"But we have to remind ourselves there are a lot of clubs thinking on the same lines, to get to the Premier League you have to compete in an extremely competitive league.