The 2015/16 season provided little cheer for Blackburn fans as they once again finished their league campaign on an underwhelming note finishing in 15th place as hopes of a return to the Premier League were once again vanquished.
Owen Coyle is the man tasked with reviving the club's fortunes, however, there are a number of issues that await Coyle as he looks to build a side capable of challenging for promotion from the Championship this season.
One of those issues is the fact that his defence could become obliterated this summer. Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood, full back Tommy Spurr, and centre back Matthew Kilgallon are all available to talk to other clubs come the expiration of their contracts on 30th June.
The big question now will be who will Coyle look to sign to re-build a defence that is on the brink of total annihilation?
Here, Football League World writer Steve Day looks at the possible signings Coyle could make to improve his defensive line in order to make them a side that can push for promotion to the top flight next season.
RB – Adam Matthews
Last season's right back duties were generally held by Welshman Adam Henley. However, it is another Welshman who would be a superb candidate for this full back role for Coyle's side this coming season.
Matthews was once one of the most sought after youngsters in British football. His rise through the Cardiff City ranks was incredible and it was not long before he made a free transfer move to Scottish Premier League side Celtic.
Things have not quite worked out for Matthews recently. His defensive abilities have been questioned and his £2 million move to Sunderland last summer failed to give his career a shot in the arm it needed. A loan move or even a low figure transfer bid could bring Matthews to Ewood Park and he could well thrive at this level.
LB – Luke Garbutt
Everton are a team packed with hot prospects and new manager Ronald Koeman will be keen to evaluate every player in every position before he makes decisions about who to keep and who to let go.
One player who is more likely to be either transfer listed or loan listed is former England Under 21 defender Garbutt. The 23 year old spent last season on loan at Championship club Fulham and put in a number of encouraging performances. He is a player craving regular first team football and a loan move to Blackburn this summer could be the answer.
Garbutt will face competition from Leighton Baines and Brendan Galloway for a starting spot at Goodison Park and that's even before Koeman decides if he wants to bring in anyone new at left back. His exit from Everton seems inevitable in some shape or form and he would be an ideal signing for Coyle.
CB – Grant Hanley
The Scottish international centre back has been with Blackburn since he was a teenager after moving to Blackburn from the Rangers youth set-up back in 2008. At 24 years of age he is now club captain and not only has almost 200 appearances to his name in a Rovers shirt but has also represented his country 23 times.
Hanley has been there and done it with Blackburn. He was captain of the Under 18s team, scored the winning goal in a 3-2 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in December 2011, and experienced the heartache of relegation with the club in 2012.
Since becoming captain after the departure of Scott Dann to Crystal Palace, Hanley has led by example and it is hard to believe a player of his age plays with the maturity of a more experienced player. His involvement will be crucial for Blackburn this season.
CB - Shane Duffy
It still seems astonishing that Everton did not take more of an interest in the career of Duffy. During a season when defensive frailties were a main reason for the Toffees not fulfilling their potential they missed having the option to bring in a young and talented prospect like Duffy to shake things up at the back.
His transfer to Blackburn for an undisclosed fee back in September 2014 was the start of the centre back's maturity as a player. His two caps for Republic of Ireland showed how highly he was rated in his home nation and now he has been given the chance to play regularly at Championship level he is showing the English league clubs just what he is all about.
Blackburn will do well to keep hold of Duffy. He could well be a target for newly promoted Premier League clubs. He is one of those players that will only get better and better. He is still only 24 years of age but at 6 feet and 4 inches he is an archetypal towering centre back who will dominate in the Championship and only improve with each passing year.
Do you agree with these players? Who would you choose to realistically play in the Blackburn defence this coming season? Let us know in the comments section below.