After clinging on to their Championship status on the final day of last season, Bolton fans will be hoping the club can climb towards the right end of the table.

But any improvement is heavily reliant on vast improvements at both ends of the pitch this summer.

Get it right, and they can set themselves up for a promotion push in the coming seasons. Get it wrong and they will find themselves back in League One.

What needs to improve? 

Last campaign saw Wanderers score just 39 goals, the third-worst in the division and finish with a goal difference of -35, the second worst ahead of just Burton Albion.

So, it is abundantly clear that they need much more bite both at the front and at the back. Opposition teams far too often found it too easy to play against Phil Parkinson's side last season, cutting them open at will and having too easy a time at the back.

It is therefore hard to believe that anything other than a massive overhaul will lead to any success this season.

Business so far

Early movements in the transfer window are pointing towards the right direction. Longterm stalwarts such as Darren Pratley, Mark Howard, Felipe Morias, Aaron Wilbraham and Karl Henry were among 11 players to be released at the end of the season hinting that Parkinson is aware of the overhaul that is needed at the club.

Arrivals have been slower in coming, however. Ehrun Oztumer is a positive move, arriving on a free transfer after a couple of impressive seasons at struggling League One side Walsall. The tiny-Turk will add some much-needed flair to the side with his tendency to score spectacular goals and his natural brilliance operating as a number 10.

Defensive midfielder Jason Lowe will add some solidity to the line-up having arrived on a free-transfer from relegation rivals Birmingham City.

Work still to be done

There is still a long way to go in this transfer window before Bolton can avert their gaze from the bottom of the table. A striker is absolutely imperative to an improved season.

Gary Madine only netted 10 goals but still finished as the club's top scorer. Whatever league you look at, the teams who struggle at the bottom nearly always lack a goalscorer. Finding someone capable of scoring consistently in the Championship should be a top priority for Parkinson.

Defenders are still desperately needed too. So far right-back Chiori Johnson is the only defender to arrive at the club, moving on a free transfer from Arsenal. But some risk-free options are required. Defenders who will come in and perform to a high standard immediately. Bolton are not in a position where they can afford players time to adapt.

They need players who will perform to a high standard from the off and move the club away from another season in League One.