A couple of weeks ago On the Cross did a 'Squad verdict' looking at where Saints needed to strengthen the squad for the season ahead. If Skacel and Viafara can be added, the gaps identified will have all but been filled meaning that Saints would be in a strong position for the season ahead having spent a whopping £7m+.
This would be a clear message to the rest of the Championship that we mean business. Compare it to the single £90k outlay on Ricardo Fuller last season.
Saints have provided competition and cover in goal with the signing of former Championship keeper of the year Kelvin Davis, although the less said about his season behind the leaky Sunderland defence the better. Pele adds strength in central defence and we already look strong at full back.
Up front, Bradley Wright-Phillips has the potential to provide pace and competition, but much of Saints' season will hinge on the question of whether, as with Reading last season, we can have at least three strikers regularly in the goals.
Midfield were where the real gaps needed filling. With Oakley, Potter and Chaplow all moving on, there was a void in central midfield, with only Sarmiento coming in. As with Sarmiento there are question marks over how well Viafara can adapt to the English game, but he does at least provide valuable numbers in the engine room and Saints will be hoping he can replicate his international rather than his Pompey form.
On the flanks, again Skacel would be a vital addition, providing the kind of genuine goal thread from midfield that has been a weakness ever since Le Tissier took off his hallowed boots.
Burley has talked of bringing in two or three more and the third may well be a right winger, either Derby's Tommy Smith or the current Czech trialist Mario Licka from FC Slovacko who would be available on a free.
With so many games in the Championship and the physical nature of the league, Saints need strength in depth, team spirit and more than a touch of extra quality. With these extra two or even three signings, Saints will have these on paper, although Saints will need the addition of luck and momentum.
Let's not forget though that we looked a strong side on paper last season and we all know where we ended up in the league. At least with managerial and boardroom issues resolved as well as uncharacteristically looser purse strings, we are on the up after some highly public and painful lows.