Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson has already mapped out the areas his side need to overhaul in their game if they are to make up for a disappointing 2010 season and return to finals action with a new-look squad next year.
The Eels can start planning for next season after their faint hopes of making the top eight were extinguished after a lacklustre 24-16 loss to South Sydney on Friday night.
Despite having their season on the line against the Rabbitohs, the Blue and Gold's produced a mistake-ridden performance that lacked urgency and creativity throughout the 80 minutes.
It summed what's been an unacceptable season for the club, which started the year as one of the favourites to take out the premiership after making the grand final in 2009.
But immediately after seeing his side's season consigned to the dustbin, Anderson pinpointed a revamp of the team's attack and a fresh-face in the halves as the key to turning the club's fortunes around next year.
"We definitely have to improve our skill level over the summer, we have to improve our passing, kicking...lots of the basics," The Eels coach said.
"We've defended with a lot of motivation but we have struggled to score points."
"We had difficulty in our halves this year, in establishing a confident pairing, so we have to improve that area."
"We've had the same group of boys for a couple of seasons and I think we need an addition.
"We're down a half anyway with Kris Keating leaving, we haven't replaced that position.
"We're down a slot in that position, we've got three halves at the moment and most teams carry four so we're down."
Asked about the possibility of luring Wallaby Quade Cooper to switch codes and join the club, Anderson said: "I haven’t been in any conversions or meetings with him."
"But we have to look laterally, I wouldn’t say no to considering anyone at the moment."
The defeat means there will be no fairytale ending for retiring Eels skipper Nathan Cayless, who will now play his final match against the Warriors next weekend.
Cayless is one of a host of top-line stars departing the club with Feleti Mateo, Krisnan Inu (both to Warriors) and Kris Keating (Bulldogs) all playing elsewhere in 2011.
Despite such a strong wealth of talent leaving the club, Cayless is convinced the Eels can be back amongst the top sides next season.
"There's still a real strong base of a team here," Cayless said.
"Hopefully the club can recruit strong over the next few months."