Peterhead delivered a late-season spurt of form which saw them pull well clear of trouble at the foot of League One.
It has been a season of transition for the Blue Toon, who went with a younger squad and dealt with the inconsistencies which comes with inexperience.
But there are definite improvements to be made ahead of another year in the third tier, which will become even more competitive with the additions of Queen of the South and Kelty Hearts.
Here, we take a look at the key areas Peterhead need to address ahead of the new campaign.
Striker
If you watched Peterhead this season you would have seen a side who creates no shortage of chances.
But what they have needed is a more consistent goalscorer to turn those chances into points.
Russell McLean managed 12 league goals but only four came after Christmas, while he finished the campaign out of the side due to injury.
Niah Payne has been an impressive performer but more as a team player than a goalscorer. He laid on eight goals for team-mates but managed only two himself.
It will be difficult to find on Peterhead’s reduced budget and factoring in the likely need for any new signings to travel to and from the north-east on a regular basis.
Full-back
This situation could easily be resolved by offering extended or permanent deals to players already with the club. But given all of their full-backs are slated to leave, it is an area McInally must address in some way.
Keeping Rico Quitongo, who signed a short-term deal in January, and offering Owen Cairns a permanent contract would go a long way to shoring up those positions.
But they would still probably need at least one more coming in. Ryan Conroy looks set to depart and Flynn Duffy has returned to parent club Dundee United, so competition is thin on the ground.
Josh Mulligan was a revelation as a right wing-back during his loan stint from Dundee and if McInally can find someone similar – either on loan or permanently – it would be a huge help.
Central midfield
This is another area which depends entirely on who stays and who goes.
One player we definitely know is leaving is Simon Ferry. The midfielder, who has been at Peterhead for seven years, looks set to pursue a career in coaching elsewhere.
But then it comes to Scott Brown and Andy McCarthy. Both have been hugely important figures to McInally and to lose one would be difficult. Losing both would be devastating.
Brown has been the heartbeat of the team and chips in with more than his share of valuable goals. He has never hidden a desire to return to full-time football so few would begrudge him a move if it materialises.
McCarthy is one of Peterhead’s most consistent performers and is a few years’ younger than Brown. He too should be looking at a return to full-time football in the future but would be a massive player to try and replace.
Jack Brown and Grant Savoury have both been recruited in the last year and shown why they should have a future at this level and beyond. They have been savvy bits of recruitment from McInally.
If Brown and McCarthy commit then this is less of a pressing need. The same goes for the goalkeeping position, where all three are out of contract, but contingencies should be lined up just in case.
