Vasco and Vignal are yet to sign, but Burley has been encouraging about both players and both are keen to sign. The remaining question mark is over whether the club will have the funds to sign Vignal or whether Burley thinks he can get more for his money elsewhere.
Vignal certainly gave a statement of intent with a real netbuster from the edge of the box into the top corner. Saganowski and Hammill both added to their tally and Rasiak forced an own goal with a header that came off the bar and went in via the keeper.
In truth, if Vignal could live up to his potential Saints are unlikely to find anything better out there, short of getting Bale or Bridge back - let's hope Burley's saving his pennies for just that, but it's not going to happen!
The major absentees were those recovering from international duty, Bialkowski and Viafara, both of whom should expect a starting spot against Palace.
Saints lined up with the following with (subs in brackets):
Poke
Ostlund (Makin, 45), Powell (Pele 45), Vasco (Lundekvam 70), Vignal (McGoldrick 45)
Hamill (Dyer 45), Surman (Lallana 60), Wright (Licka 60), Skacel (James 60)
Rasiak (Wright-Phillips 45), Saganowski (Jones 70)
Put Bart in goal and Viafara in central midfield and that's an effective looking team. Throw in the options of power up front from Jones, Pele's all round game in midfield and Dyer's pace on the right and it's a decent subs bench.
The slight suprise was seeing Surman in central midfield. We do look a little short of a playmaker in central midfield and Burley has experimented with Surman there before, albeit with limited results.
With Drew's growing confidence and maturity, he may well be an option there next season, particularly at home. There still looks a lack of depth for Saints at full back with only Makin and Ostlund as genuine full backs. Even if Vignal signs, Skacel and Wright can do a job, but are out of position there.
So, add a top central midfielder and a powerful versatile full back and Saints are looking in good shape for the challenges ahead. It's hard to pick a clear favourite for the Championship at the moment and if Saints are willing to invest, or be invested in, we have a good shout of a top six spot and maybe more.
Forget the in-fighting for now, things are looking interesting on the pitch.