Not to replace an already poor defence, was only going to go one way. Sure enough we now have the worst defensive record in the football league! Plus the loan signings of 'Gordon' Bennett and Vignal have been a long way short of success.
True, Burley has been hampered by lack of funds and the challenge of attracting players of sufficient quality. Now, the excellent Wayne Thomas has added aggression and pace to the centre of defence and the Premiership squads are starting to take shape releasing the likes of Dailly and Ifil on loan.
With the defence still in crisis, Saints are looking to bring in Andrew Davies from Middlesborough. He played nearly a full season for Boro at right back and can also play at centre back. He's tall and experienced for his age, having played on loan for Derby and QPR in the Championship.
The local media in Hull are already reporting that he has signed for Saints, having chosen us over Hull for 'footballing reasons', with Hull matching the wages on offer from Saints.
With our defence, we can hardly oppose the signing of another defender and certainly one with decent Premiership pedigree, but you have to wonder where all the defenders are going to fit in.
More important is that Burley can get them properly organised, playing as a unit and properly fit, a failing post-Strachan with Saints prone to conceding late goals as the players tire.
Quite where this leaves Powell, Lundekvam, Vignal, Makin, Ostlund, Bennett and new boy Mettomo, is another matter with the waste in wages a concern. Hopefully Burley can find a back four and stick with it, as even with the Premiership top four, midfield and strikers can rotate, but a defence needs consistency of selection.
So, what is our best back four with Davies in the mix? Ifil has shown plenty of ability on the right, Thomas is a shoe-in, Davies is likely to get a run alongside him and Burley is a big fan of Skacel, particularly at home, even though his wonderful left boot may be better suited up the field.