The 34-year-old forward played a pivotal part in Ajax's MTN8 success last season over Kaizer Chiefs in Port Elizabeth, yet a disappointing tenth-placed finish in the Absa Premiership last term means the Urban Warriors will not be defending their crown this year.
Paulse admits the side are dejected by their failure to secure a top half finish, adding that a top eight place is the very least the Cape club will be aiming for this campaign.
“It really hurts that we will not be able to defend our MTN8 title this season," the veteran striker tells snl24.com/kickoff.
"We really let ourselves down in more ways than one. Hence I'm of the opinion that a top eight position this season is non-negotiable and we must ensure that we achieve this."
Paulse has also urged his Ajax teammates not to repeat last year's mistakes in their quest to improve their League position this time around.
"We have a young team, but that's no excuse not to achieve our objectives,” he continues.
"If you look at the top eight competition, you only have to win three games and then you have success – it’s the quickest way to attain silverware.
"But a lot rests on us as players. It will be important that the players get their mindsets right because the psychological aspect was our downfall.
"After our success in last year's competition, the players needed to remain grounded and to start from scratch and to remind ourselves that we haven't achieved anything.
"The passing of our teammate [Cecil Lolo] also didn't make things any easier for us, but that's life.
"Hopefully we have all taken something positive out of this going forward, and won't repeat our mistakes.”
Ajax kick off their 2016/17 Premiership campaign away at Baroka FC on Tuesday, 23 August.