Although mathematically it's still not impossible to reach the play offs I think most of us would accept that next season we'll still be playing in the Championship.
Graet credit to Mick and it's easy to forget that when he came in we were beginning to look like we could get sucked into a relegation fight but we'll probably end the season between about 8th and 12th which considering the injuries we've had to crucial players at crucial times is probably about right.
So what about next season? For me, this is where Mick is really going to have a job on his hands. If the aim next season is a genuine attempt to get to the top six then there will have to be a number of changes.
Wilson and Ojo will go back (Wilson out of our league financially and Ojo not done quite enough for me unless we can get him for £1m or so). Doesn't look like we'll see the Arsenal boy again.
For me the following have shown that whilst solid enough Championship players in the main they a) are no longer good enough b)never have been good enough or c) never will be good enough to be part of a team challenging for promotion
Bacuna
Pack
Ralls
Vaulks
Murphy
Williams
Glatzel
Whyte
Watters
Hoilett (Mick obviously does not rate him)
Tomlin (unable or unwilling to put in the necessary work needed)
The jury is out on some of the youngsters but I'd certainly like to see us persevere with Brown, Sand and Begen and see how they develop.
Few if any of those players have any resale value unfortunately and some are reportedly on wages which will make it very difficult to move them on but in my opinion all of the above need to be replaced if we are to to be seriously looking to threaten the top six next season.
Of course with the lack of parachute monies next season it may well be that the main aim next season is survival in which case I would imagine that the only real movement outwards would be those at the end of their contracts or the few players with a resale value (Moore, Morrison, Ng, the two keepers) who may have to be sacrificed to raise some funds.