Aston Villa caretaker-manager Roy Aitken believes the players are determined to prove they will not be relegation fodder next season.
Following the tumultuous events of the last seven days, the crisis-torn club put their off-field woes behind them with a crushing 5-0 win at Walsall in their opening pre-season friendly.
The warm-up clash may only have been against League Two opposition, but bear in mind this was a game former manager David O'Leary twice lost in the past.
Prior to this match, with the club seemingly lacking direction in the wake of O'Leary's departure and an apparent player mutiny, bookmakers were quoting Villa as one of the favourites for the drop.
But the 48-year-old Scot insists whoever inherits the squad it is not as bad as many believe.
'They are a great group to work with, and I've had real pleasure over the last three years working with them,' insisted Aitken.
'You saw a lot of players staking their claim with that performance, and that is what I asked of them, to go and show what they are capable of and make it difficult for me to pick a team.
'It's all about preparation now ahead of August 19 when we face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
'That is what it was about and what it will be about over the course of the next week with further games against Hull and Wolves.
'Hopefully we can organise and continue to get that level of quality because there are some good players in that dressing room.'
Former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley has ruled himself out of the running, saying today: 'I did 15 years without a break and I feel I have to recharge my batteries fully.
'Obviously I would have come back early if I'd been given the chance to manage England, but I didn't get that chance and I've decided it is best to wait until October and take my time over a return.'
Therefore, the focus will now turn to Martin O'Neill. However, there are suggestions the former Leicester and Celtic manager will not take up the post while chairman Doug Ellis remains in charge.
The fans certainly made their feelings clear at the Bescot Stadium as they regularly chanted 'we want Ellis out'.
But as Ellis once maintained the only way he will leave Villa Park is 'feet first', there are unlikely to be many candidates eager to work with the 82-year-old.
Aitken, though, makes no secret of the fact he would like to turn his current caretaker role into a full-time position.
'All I can do is the job to the best of my ability in whatever time I have,' added Aitken.
