That Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon faces a major rebuild of the first-team squad at Tannadice this summer is no secret.
Even before the new gaffer was appointed, the Tangerines announced eight out-of-contract players — Edward Ofere, Callum Morris, Guy Demel, Ryan Dow, John Rankin, Euan Spark, Joe McGovern and Florent Sinama Pongolle — would be leaving after not even getting the chance to sign deals for next season.
Then it emerged a host of players still under contract were also informed they’d be free to go if they could find other clubs.
So long was that list, it’s been easier to name the exceptions, those who remain part of the plans.
They were goalkeeper Luis Zwick, attacking midfielders Scott Fraser and Blair Spittal, striker Simon Murray plus club captain Sean Dillon.
Of course, that doesn’t mean United will start pre-season training next month with no more than a five-a-side team.
Following relegation, the final three games of the season saw Development Squad players like Justin Johnson, Matty Smith, Brad Smith and, in particular, Harry Souttar all show they can step up to make a contribution.
Midfielder Ali Coote and young full-back Jamie Robson are another pair definitely in that same category.
On top of that, it’s a fair bet not all those who’ve been told they can go, will. Some could be back and McKinnon will give them the opportunity to show they can do a job.
But while that means the picture is not as dark as some would paint it, over the next few weeks the manager does have a lot of searching, and signing, to do.
One of his first priorities must be to fix up an experienced keeper to at least compete with Zwick.
The first big failure in the last doomed campaign was the failure to find just such a replacement for Rado Cierzniak as he headed home.
Young German Zwick has talent — but what he didn’t have was any real first-team experience.
The 22-year-old starting next season as No 1 cannot be ruled out but, this time round, he must have an older pro working out beside him in training each day.
In front of the goalie there’s set to be a couple of new faces, maybe more.
Dillon could fill the right-back slot vacated by Kyle Knoyle following the end of his loan spell from West Ham and young Souttar looks ready to challenge in central defence.
It would, though, be preferable to have another couple of more-seasoned options for the heart of the defence.
With Paul Dixon actively seeking to pursue his career elsewhere, a left-back is also on the list.
In midfield, there is reason to feel that, form and fitness permitting, Fraser and Spittal can be regulars — but with John Rankin gone and Paul Paton likely to follow, probably for St Johnstone, a battle-hardened holding-midfielder is a another priority.
At Raith Rovers last year McKinnon got a great shift out of former Dundee man Iain Davidson.
The Stark’s Park favourite is unlikely to be a target but someone of his ilk will be sought.
Up front, the manager must have been encouraged by Simon Murray’s strong finish to the season.
The Dundonian looks likely to continue among the goals at Championship level and his pace and work rate fit in with the McKinnon philosophy of not just playing attacking football, but defending from the front when the opposition have the ball.
A second, possibly more-physically-imposing, frontman is also likely to be on the wish list.
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