Though Kuala Lumpur City FC will walk into the new season as Malaysia Cup champions, coach Bojan Hodak doesn't want his boys to swagger.
He has told them to stay level headed and keep their feet grounded.
The City Boys have beefed up their team by securing Congolese attacker Kevin Koubemba while retaining Colombian Romel Morales, Filipino goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza, Australian centre-back Giancarlo Gallifuoco and Brazilian midfielder Paulo Josue.
"We have signed a good striker in Koubemba, he's tall, experienced and has a high work rate," said Hodak.
He conceded that KL are still well behind heavyweights Johor Darul Ta'zim, Selangor, Terengganu, Kedah and Pahang in terms of financial might, resources, including facilities.
"We actually overachieved by winning the Malaysia Cup last season, the plan was to avoid relegation in the first season, so anything else is a bonus.
"We understand the expectations (for the new season) are higher but people need to be realistic," said Croatian.
"We can see that other teams have invested well for the new season, so it's going to be tough.
"For this season, we are still the underdogs. We will try to win cup competitions. We will be competing in the AFC Cup as well and we will try to push ourselves there as well."
The City Boys played their first pre-season friendly on Sunday, but were held to a 1-1 draw by Premier League side JDT II at the KLFA Stadium.
KL will next play the national Under-23 team in a friendly on Thursday.
"It was a good run out for the players. I see that we are at 50-60 per cent and a few more matches will get the players sharp," said Hodak.