Gary Johnson believes Bristol City can continue to defy their detractors in the Championship play-offs.
The Robins were rank outsiders for promotion at the start of the campaign following their return to the second tier after an eight-year absence, but proceeded to take the division by storm.
Since going top of the table with a 1-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday on September 1, Johnson's side were rarely out of the automatic promotion places until an alarming slump in form during the final few weeks of the campaign cost them what would have been a fairytale top two finish.
The 3-0 defeat of Preston on the final day of the season was only the second time City had won in the last 11 matches of the campaign.
That run has led bookmakers to rank the Robins as the outsiders of the four teams in the play-offs.
Johnson believes his side have already proved that the role of underdogs suits them, and he hopes that will be the case once more ahead of the semi-final first-leg against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
"All season people have been trying to write us off, expecting us to slip away. But here we are still in with a chance of promotion," said Johnson.
"And people are still trying to write us off. It's just par for the course I guess. Even though there are only four teams involved, we are still not mentioned until late on.
"Maybe that suits us. I am hoping it will wind the lads up a little bit to put that little bit extra effort in.
"We have been something of a forgotten team all season and then somebody somewhere goes 'Bristol City are still doing alright.' Hopefully they will be saying that right up until the death."
Palace boss Neil Warnock has suggested in the build up to the semi-final that City are actually the favourites.
Warnock claims his side have already had a great season and that would remain the case whatever happens over the two legs.
Johnson joked: "Have you seen the size of his nose? And it is getting bigger all the time. He is good at motivating his players, but I would suggest what he feels inside is probably a bit different."
Marvin Elliott is fit after suffering a slight knock against Preston while fellow midfielder Lee Johnson felt no ill-effects after returning from a heel injury as a second-half substitute against North End.
There was no word on the fitness of Steve Brooker following the striker's hamstring problems.
