With the pre-season preparations not exactly going to plan for the Seasiders, and Bristol City arriving a week on Saturday to launch the Championship season, the team heads to Tranmere this Saturday for the final preparation match with positions throughout the side up for grabs and more players set to arrive.

Trialists Steven Pressley and John Halls, both defenders, took part in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat against St Mirren at Bloomfield Road, and are looking to earn contracts at the club. The long wait for Paul Dickov looks like it will be fruitless though, as he is expected to opt for Major League Soccer next season with Toronto.

Last summer Grayson kept together the side that was promoted, and the spirit and understanding among those players were key factors in avoiding relegation. Chunks of that team have departed now - the leadership of Michael Jackson and the talent of Kaspars Gorkss at the back, the playmaking of Wes Hoolahan in midfield, the pace of Keigan Parker and the unselfish running and goals of Andy Morrell. Parker and Morrell, though, struggled for goals last season at the higher level and featured little in the second half of the season.

The break-up of that close-knit group meant a new challenge for the manager - to bring in suitable replacements, and to motivate and organise them into a new look side that can compete in a highly competitive league.

The departures of Jackson, Gorkss and Hoolahan in particular leave holes that are difficult to fill. Although Jackson had reached the point where age was against him, the effect he had as captain will be missed. Gorkss provided energy and pace at the back, and a useful supply of goals too. And although Hoolahan lacked both pace and a right foot, the midfield was heavily reliant upon him in terms of possession, creativity and binding the play together. The manager, though, is looking forward rather than back, and has brought in players already who will strengthen the team in certain areas, and there will be more signings before the end of August.

Grayson will be able to select two from McPhee, Kabba, Burgess and Nardiello up front next season. Hammill, who looked classy against St Mirren on Tuesday, replaces Hoolahan on the left side of midfield and will excite the fans next season. Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who returned from injury on Tuesday, is likely to continue on the right.

So the main question in the front six, and probably the key problem for the manager to solve, concerns who will partner stalwart Keith Southern in central midfield.

The candidates appear to be Claus Jorgensen, David Fox, Jermaine Wright and Stuart Green - although Joe Martin could also provide an option there.

It’s a key question because of the loss of Hoolahan, who did so much of his work in a more central position than a left winger normally does. Grayson may need to dip into the coffers to solve this particular conundrum.

In defence, John Halls will give Shaun Barker a run for the right back shirt if he signs, and Joe Martin will probably deputise for Steven Crainey while the player of last season recovers from his injury.

In the centre, perm any two from Ian Evatt, Marlon Broomes, Zesh Rehman and Steven Pressley, should he sign.

Which leaves Danny Coid and Alex John-Baptiste, who look likely to be used as utility cover in defence and midfield.

Plus the possible signings to come. Plenty of variables, and very little time to sort out the equation in time for the opening game.

The pre-season results, which have seen only one win, at Fleetwood, and an alarming lack of goals, have been severely hindered by injuries and the absence of many key players. Not ideal preparation, but they count for nothing.

We won’t know how good the new-look team is until it has had time to settle down, so the next ten days’ preparation, and the work on the treatment table, look extremely important indeed.