Port Vale manager Dean Glover has said he would consider a finish in the top half of League Two to be a successful season for the Valiants.
Vale, relegated from League One last season, currently lie 15th in the bottom tier of League football.
Glover told BBC Radio Stoke: "We've not had a good start to the season, which has left us chasing the other teams.
"I'm not saying that we can't reach the play-offs, but at the moment getting into the top half is the goal."
The 45-year-old, who took control at Vale Park in October, enjoyed immediate success, winning five of his first seven games in charge.
But he admits: "That honeymoon period just papered over the cracks that were already there.
"We had a bit of luck. But we were competing well and I want to get back to that competitiveness and build the confidence to play football.
"If we can eliminate the mistakes then we'll be OK."
Vale visit one of the play-off hopefuls on Saturday, seventh-placed Exeter City, who currently stand 10 points better off.
What are these?
Print Sponsor
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?