Joey Barton declared he wanted "five or six" more signings for Bristol Rovers for the upcoming League One campaign after kicking off pre-season with a 6-1 win at Melksham Town.
One of those additions has been completed with the arrival of John Marquis after his release by Lincoln City, taking the number of incoming at the Mem to four for the summer so far.
With striker Marquis, midfielder Jordan Rossiter and defenders James Gibbons and James Connolly, Barton's squad is taking shape nicely as Rovers prepare to step up to the challenge of League One, but there are still areas that need addressing, ideally by the time the season starts with the visit of Forest Green Rovers on July 30.
Priorities will be fluid dependent on injuries and departures but here are some of the areas Barton and Rovers could turn to next...
Centre-back
Connolly's return is welcome, as is Alfie Kilgour's return to fitness after an injury-plagued season, but Rovers still have work to do at centre-back. If Nick Anderton and James Gibbons are counted as options, with most of their experience in that role coming in a back three, the Gas have five centre-backs including first-year professional Jamie Egan.
It feels a little light and Barton is likely to want one or two more centre-backs in his ranks before trading is finished.
Ideally, the Gas would like to reunite Connolly with his partner from last season's triumph, Connor Taylor. And with the 20-year-old's parent club Stoke City making a couple of defensive signings including the addition of Aden Flint, a Mem return seems realistic.
There is also scope to sign a back-up or developmental option this summer, too, filling the place vacated by the release of Cian Harries, who has since joined Swindon Town.
Winger
With Sam Nicholson heading back to the United States to re-join Colorado Rapids, the winger department is another that could do with strengthening.
Aaron Collins could be moved out wide after the arrival of Marquis and Harry Anderson starred in the big moments last season, but with the five-substitute rule brought in for next season clubs will be rewarded for having a rotation of attacking game-changers to call on from the start and from the bench.
Luke Thomas, like Taylor, is another former loanee who could return, but this is an area of the pitch where the Gas could well make two or three signings.
Alex Rodman and Ryan Jones are also on the books, of course, but Rodman's recent injury record suggests Rovers cannot lean too heavily on him, while 20-year-old Jones is still learning his craft.
Number 10
The January transfer window indicated Barton's view is that you cannot have too many good attacking midfielders., particularly versatile ones that can take on a range of roles. That part of the pitch was already an area of strength for Rovers, and Barton responded to that by chucking another one into the mix.
It helped that it was Elliot Anderson – a talent far superior to League Two level – that joined, of course, but as mentioned above, squad depth is going to be of increased importance moving forwards with managers having extra chances to influence the game from the dugout with more substitutions allowed.
Antony Evans was an elite attacking midfielder in League Two and he is well placed to make the step up this season, but having several options to play alongside him or back him up could be hugely valuable over the course of a 46-game season.
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