Each year many (including me) produce lists of 6-8 playing positions highlighting all the gaps. Then, last summer excepted, we have added a couple maybe and a loan or two, but still continued upward in the League.
Better to think in terms of the absolute top priorities, and they are where we are weak as defined by being substandard in our best 1st eleven.
Assume EMC, Wright and Simms all play, as given the money spent on them it would be mad if they weren't. Also O'Hare goes
I come up with something like this. Other opinions are available
Collins
MVE - Kitching - Thomas - Bidwell
Sheaf - Torp - EMC
Saka - Simms - Wright
Squad: Wilson, Burroughs, Da Silva, Lati, Eccles, Palmer. Everybody else is substandard - Kelly, Godden, Tavares, Howley etc
What shouts is 1. A goalkeeper who commands his area and has quicker distribution 2. A left back as solid as Bidwell in defence but better at going forward. 3. Cover at centre-back (this could be a loan). 4. An alternative to Simms (again possibly a loan).
King has to get his head around how useful loans can be - we ended up acquiring Sheaf, O'Hare and Vik. McNally and Doyle were a major part of last season's run