Andi Weimann is not feeling the weight of expectation on his shoulders heading into the new season on the back of his career-best tally last campaign.
The Austrian international believes having just 10 days off over the summer means he will continue riding the wave on the back of last season, although conceded fatigue may become an issue as the games come thick and fast in an unrelenting Championship campaign.
Weimann, 30, scored 22 last season including 10 assists to finish as the third top scorer in the Championship behind Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dominic Solanke. His form also earned him a recall to the Austria national side for the first time in seven years back in March.
Like team-mate Alex Scott, the forward wasn't afforded much time to put his feet up over the summer with new Austria manager Ralf Rangnick calling him up for the four Nations League matches at the beginning of June. Weimann's season ended in the best possible fashion by scoring his first international goal in a 1-1 draw against world champions France.
Weimann has featured in five of City's six pre-season matches including scoring in the 3-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers. He also won the penalty in Saturday's impressive victory over Bournemouth as the Robins head to Hull undefeated in their warm-up matches.
Asked whether he felt any added expectation, Weimann said: "Not really, it starts from zero again so I've not got in my head how many I scored last season.
"I'm starting on zero next week, I've not had too much time off. I've only had about 10 days off so I'm feeling I'm still in the same season.
"I feel good, feel confident and I always think I can get chances so if I can take them we'll see how many goals I can get again. I don't get any goal targets, I just try to help the team. I just try to get into those positions.
"At the moment I feel really fit, I'm just carrying on from last season. Maybe later in the season, I might get a bit tired but it's been good."
Weimann also has no doubts that City's four wins and two draws in pre-season will stand them in good stead for the curtain-raiser at the MKM Stadium having also highlighted the difference in training regime this time around in comparison to 12 months ago.
He added: "We're unbeaten in pre-season, it's always good to start the season with a good feeling and good momentum but obviously next weekend is when it matters so hopefully we can carry that on.
"In the big scheme, pre-season doesn't matter but it's always good to build momentum to win games like today (Saturday) where we didn't really have that many clear-cut chances but as the manager said last season we need to win games ugly and against Bournemouth that was a good win for us.
"It shows that we don't always have to score three or four goals to win the game - we can win 1-0 through a penalty and if we can do that through the season and get three points that will be very good for us.
"It (pre-season) has been really tough, we've definitely worked a lot harder than last year. More and more sessions and more and more distance in the legs. The new lads who have come in have settled in really well and there's a good feeling around the club but next week is where it all matters."
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