Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed that the club expect to bring in some new faces before the transfer window closes , the fans just wish that the talking would stop and that actions would speak louder than words.

In one respect it is good to hear from Mauricio Pellegrino that he is expecting a signing or two imminently, but actions speak louder than words and the reality is that every Saints supporter know that even if Virgil Van Dijk was to soften his stance and return to the fold we are still weak in the centre of defence.

Talking after the win over Sevilla the Saints manager when asked about incoming transfers said.

“We are studying the market with some options.

“It is difficult to bring in important players and hopefully some of them can come in to make us stronger.”

“We are there expecting and ready, and always if we can improve our squad we will do it,” admitted Pellegrino.

“It is difficult because we have a good squad but we want to give another step in our ambition from inside and from outside also.”

The big question now is whether Pellegrino's words hold water, the more cynical Saints fans will claim that the club are not interested in paying out for any new signings for several reasons not least the prolonged takeover issue, the club really do need to make a statement of intent now.

They need to do that not just because of the lack of activity in this window, but also in January when despite the fact that Jose Fonte's departure had become inevitable the club did not replace him even though they had has several months to line up possible targets.

The supporters assumed that although they did not land those targets back in January that with another four months to draw up a shortlist that business would be done swiftly, yet here we are another three months down the line since the season ended and we are only a matter of days before the start of the season yet Fonte has still not been adequately replaced and we still have the Van Dijk issue.

Back in January the failure of our transfer committee to cover their bases cost us dearly, they gambled that we could get away with only Van Dijk and when he was suddenly injured they did not have enough time left in the window to get in a replacement.

This one act of folly was perhaps the biggest single reason why we did not win the League Cup Final.

So the time for talking is over the time for action is here !

Photo: Action Images

Braveheart added 09:29 - Aug 7 Just for the sake of sanity we need a good central defender and above all a decent top quality goalkeeper. FF is just not good enough for us to sustain a serious challenge anywhere. With a decent alternative waiting in the wings, it might just be enough to sort his game out.
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SaintBrock added 09:29 - Aug 7 "the fans just wish that the talking would stop and that actions would speak louder than words" On the head!
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Saintsfc added 09:30 - Aug 7 As soon as Bednarek signed I feared that meant a yoshida VVD pairing this coming season.. Looking more and more likely now
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saintpp added 09:36 - Aug 7 I dont agree if vvd was to return,which is unlikely,either stephens or yoshi will be fine alongside him,tho id prefer Stephens of the two.Then there is bertrand who can play there which would allow targett and mqueen to play at lb. But if VVD goes yoshi or jack get injured we will bein shit creek It does appear that the board think VVd will return by the lack of buying another cb,and i thought i was an optimist.

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patred added 10:37 - Aug 7 Not only did the failure to sign a replacement for Fonte cost us the EPL Cup, I think it's played a part in the Van Dijk issue. Eventually, it may even cost us the likes of Cedric and Bertrand. We have to demonstrate that we still have ambitions to challenge for European qualifications
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highfield49 added 11:09 - Aug 7 If the signing of Lemina comes to fruition this week that should ensure that Romeu has someone to take the share of defensive midfield work and, at the same time, give us someone who can turn defence into attack without passing the ball sideways and backwards. That to me is going to make a big difference to the number of goal scoring opportunities created because we can counter attack quickly rather than letting the opposition re-group as so often happened last season. Other than that an additional proven central defender must be on the radar because the entire management and coaching staff can't be blind to the fact that it's a massive weakness waiting to be exploited. Stephens looks more and more likely to become a very good player and the fact that Yoshi hasn't been offered a new contract speaks for itself. The toughest thing to do is to get VVD to sort out his head and admit that he made some very poor judgement calls over the last four months. Although I never wanted to see him pull on a Saints shirt again I also recognise that I have to show sufficient maturity to accept his return if it can be managed. Giving him a hard time from the comfort of my seat actually reduces me to his level of petulance so although he would hardly merit a rapturous reception a bit of dignity from the supporters might actually have a positive impact on his attitude.

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SaintPaulVW added 11:50 - Aug 7 Upfront I think we are ok, provided Austin stays fit and Long remembers where the goal actually is, with the potential addition midfield looks good,Boufal needs to shine this year, defence is where the money needs to go, definitely need 1 top drawer CB regardless of VVD. Obviously all subject to anyone leaving.
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