If you mention priority, it HAS to be decent centre back. Bates is not it. Our midfield is coming deep to defend as they know we need help back there.
If Goodwin is doing what he said of making hard decisions, releasing Bates should be top of the list of Ruth and Fringe players for me. Just sad we don't have an true back up or young talent coming through. McKenna was the last one kid to come through at that position.