GO on, admit it – you're still nursing hopes we may sneak into the top seven, aren't you?

Presumably, like me, you're struggling to get your head around Vale's win-one, lose-one run of form which has left us frustratingly close to a late run at the play-offs.

There are 11 games left and if Vale can win seven of them, then we may just be extending our season.

Yes, it's a tall order, and my head says we are going to fall a few points short.

But with 17 players vying for a new contract, Micky may be able to squeeze some match-winning performances out of those who have been below par recently.

Understandably, neither the manager nor the chairman will be drawn on what will undoubtedly be a huge summer clear-out.

However, even Micky and Bill would have to agree that all those players who will soon be free agents have the chance to earn themselves new deals.

Only Rob Taylor, Doug Loft, Tommy Fraser, Adam Yates, Lee Collins and Gareth Owen are under contract for next season. That means Micky has the opportunity to craft his own squad.

I'd definitely want to keep Anthony Griffith, Louis Dodds, Marc Richards, Chris Martin, Lewis Haldane and Sean Rigg.

I also haven't written off a couple of players who currently find themselves out of favour with supporters – namely Joe Anyon and Kris Taylor.

In Joe's case, I honestly believe the gaffer is undecided. Micky hasn't seen enough of him in first-team games to make a decision.

Joe's made a couple of blunders and has looked suspect on set-pieces, but I wonder how much of this is simply a games under-his-belt and confidence issue.

There's no denying that he is a fine shot-stopper and I, for one, would like to see him return to form and earn a new deal.

By the same token Kris Taylor, whose form has been woeful recently, didn't suddenly become a lost cause.

When he first arrived his performances were such that he would have been one of the first names on the team sheet.

We've seen glimpses of a very good player and I don't think he's beyond redemption.

As for the rest of the squad it would have to be thank you and goodbye, from me.