The jigsaw is not quite complete but, in going for quality as opposed to quantity, Dundee United might just be putting together a squad capable of mounting an even stronger promotion challenge next season.
Last time, the Tangerines came agonisingly close to getting back to the Premiership at the first time of asking, only losing out to a single goal late in the play-off final against Hamilton.
As they prepare to go again in 2017/18 it will, in terms of experienced first-team men at least, be with a streamlined squad.
Gone are Tony Andreu, Simon Murray, Thomas Mikkelsen, Blair Spittal, Ali Coote, Charlie Telfer, Paul Dixon, Sean Dillon, Frank van der Struijk and Nick van der Velden.
Even with arrivals like James Keatings, Billy King, Paul McMullan, hopefully Fraser Fyvie and two or three more to follow, just a glance at these lists show the squad for what lies ahead will be balanced.
And it’s no great secret the plan is to go with a pool of around 18 men, all of whom are capable of challenging for a starting place.
If injuries, and/or suspensions, hit hard, that could be a problem and kids from the Development Squad will have to be drafted in.
After being struck by a few in key areas last year, United will feel they are due a break. If they get it, there’s good reason to believe they can be fielding a team that, overall, is stronger than the one that kicked off last year.
That team was bolstered by the arrival of Tony Andreu on a season-long loan after a few games.
It would be ridiculous to suggest a player of the Frenchman’s unquestioned ability will not be missed — 19 goals in 42 games is testimony to that.
But if Ray McKinnon can add the final few pieces of that aforementioned jigsaw, this time round it could well prove a case of the sum of the parts being greater.
For those who may not agree with that statement, take a look at one possible line-up.
Assuming he sticks with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, the manager is already close to being able to send out a team that, on paper at least, looks more than a match for anything else in the second tier.
In goal would be the reliable Cammy Bell — this paper’s player of the season last year — and immediately in front of him you’d have a physically and mentally strong-looking back four of Stewart Murdoch, William Edjenguele, Mark Durnan and Tam Scobbie.
Anchoring the midfield would be Willo Flood and, in the expectation he will sign up, Fraser Fyvie. That provides experience, tenacity and energy.
In front of them another two of the recent acquisitions, King and McMullan, could operate either side of Scott Fraser in the attacking midfield three.
That would see Fraser handed the role so often taken by Andreu but if there is a player on the books at Tannadice with the ability to do that it’s surely him.
The No 10 role is his best and, at 22, he has to be ready to take the responsibility that should go with his talent.
Keatings could spearhead the Tangerines attack but, with an out-and-out No 9 a signing priority, he may challenge Fraser for that deeper role.
Add to that XI the likes of Scott Allardice, Jamie Robson and Lewis Toshney and the argument this term will see a stronger United looks better balanced.
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