West Bromwich Albion failed in their first attempt to win promotion back to the Premier League after the Midlands club finished 10th in the most recent Championship season.
The Baggies won 18, drew 13 and lost 15 of their 46 matches, leaving them with 67 points on the board.
Despite this ultimately disappointing finish, one factor in their season in which they can take a bit of pride, and which Steve Bruce can use as a platform to build upon for next term, is their defence.
Albion conceded just 45 goals in the 2021/22 campaign, fewer than four of the nine teams who finished above them in the table.
One man who played a big part in this regard for the Baggies is Matt Clarke.
Signed on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Brighton, the centre-back made 33 league appearances for the Baggies in the most recent campaign. He even managed to round off his loan spell at The Hawthorns by scoring on the final day of the season in their 4-0 win over Barnsley.
However, it was his defensive contribution which made him a solid figure for the team.
Having racked up more interceptions (60) than any other Baggies player, the 25-year-old also won 33 tackles in total and averaged 3.1 clearances per game, the second-highest in the squad behind Kyle Bartley (four).
Now that the season has drawn to an end, the upcoming summer transfer window could give the West Brom hierarchy to replicate their masterstroke of bringing Clarke to the club by securing a deal for Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The Baggies were linked with a move for the Tottenham defender back in February.
During his recent loan spell with Celtic, with whom he secured the Scottish Premiership title, the American showed just how capable a defensive figure he is, a bit like Clarke.
In 33 league appearances for the Hoops, the 24-year-old ended his season in Glasgow with more interceptions (43) than any other Celtic player, along with the highest average of clearances per game (4.2) in Ange Postecoglou's squad.
This pretty much mirrors the sort of defensive abilities that Clarke showed during his time with the Baggies this season, and illustrates why it would be a great move for the club to sign the Spurs defender.
Described by Simon Donnelly as being "solid as a rock" for the Bhoys, the USA defender certainly has what it takes to improve what is already a rather sturdy backline.
With a reported price tag of £6m, the Spurs outcast could be well worth a punt if Bruce believes that the 24-year-old can help to get Albion closer to promotion.