The only person that I know of that ever said anything about the six was Dome, and Dome was thinking more commercially. The coaches and players have always talked about winning it or at the very worst a home semi, and I doubt anyone in the fan base want's us to only try for sixth. The team often aims for the six when they realise they're likely to finish last, but at the start of the season it's never been a goal.
This team is quite different from the teams that conceded all those goals. At least one different starting full back, two different starting attacking players, different starting goal keeper, different formation, different philosophy. Forget about the start of the season, our season started in the January window.
I also doubt having a moan when the team is two goals up and looking solid is going to do anything to motivate the team or is not "going easy on them." I doubt the players read this forum and if they do they're mad, quite often I wonder why I bother.