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Curle, who has won each of his four matches since replacing Martin Allen in the hotseat at Meadow Lane, believes it is an achievable target for his in-form Magpies - provided they get through a tough series of matches which includes successive games against Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United.
He told the Nottingham Post: "People have asked me if we're just going to consolidate our place in the play-offs and I've said no, we're chasing fifth. That is our aim. I think it's realistic.
"The next month is massive. There are so many games and we play three teams just above us. Our results against Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United will probably determine how our season is going to end.
"One team normally creeps into the play-offs and does well in the play-offs. Could that be us? We've got a chance. I think people thought we were going to be a mid-table team. We've got a little bit of momentum going and I think we can improve on it.
"I think the players have applied themselves excellently and they have all expressed themselves, but we can improve. We could be a bit more fluid and more composed."
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