"It's hard for our supporters to hear me say we are not looking at the play-offs and perhaps some think I am being negative. But I am being realistic - not making any empty promises which I sure they have heard before," said Coleman to the CT.
"We have said all along that in every window we are trying to add quality players to the ones we have already got.
"We know what the standard is - the likes of Wolves, Reading, Cardiff and Birmingham.
"We may not have the budget of some teams but we have to get to that standard. And if we are cute and spend the money wisely then we have a good chance. Maybe next season because we are not quite there yet, although we have a good chance of pressing harder to be in the top six.
"We did it on Saturday which was a one-off game. Doing it week in, week out is a different thing but that is what we are aspiring to."