Many fine words have been spoken since the 2012/13 season ended around eight weeks ago, but there hasnt been a lot of action, will that change this week.

Actions speak louder than words ! that is an old phrase, but it cannot be denied that it is one that rings true, so far this summer, the arrival of Dejan Lovren aside, there have been plenty of fine words but very little action, so will this be the week of intent or will it be another "weak" of intent.

But is that all set to change this week, could this be the time when the talking stops and the actions begin in earnest, certainly that was the case last year, in a scenario that is being seemingly repeated this close season, Saints signed Jay Rodriguez early doors and then it was 6th July before the next incoming player and the arrival of Steven Davis, then there was a quick flurry with Nathaniel Clyne and Paulo Gazzaniga coming in quickly by 20th of the month, there would then be almost six weeks of words and no signings before another late flurry in the final two days of the transfer window.

I would hope that Saints would want to avoid a repeat of that this summer, indeed statements on the official web site have indicated that, although the original date quoted for having done the bulk of our business 1st July has came and past.

But this could be the week that Saints truly show their intent, on Friday Luke Shaw will, if rumours are correct be signing a five year deal and if that same rumour mill is accurate he will be joined in putting pen to paper by ictor Wanyama, although I do feel that there is still work to be done on that one yet and maybe another twist or turn or two.

A big signing is what Saints need for their statement of intent, in football you are judged by what you achieve, not what you say you will, whilst there is some mileage in PR terms of being connected with every top player on the market and it can help give the impression that the club is now going to run in higher echelons than it has done for a while, if you dont back up those words with actions, then it actually starts to become counter productive, instead of being seen by others as a club with intentions, you get dismissed as yet another young pretender with plenty of bluster but nothing behind it.

That being the case its now important for Saints to start landing a few big targets and in that respect perhaps Victor Wanyama is the key, if we were to land him it would make people sit up and notice, Wanyama is a decent player, not a great player and overpriced at £12 million in my opinion, perhaps that is reflected in the clubs willing to chase him at that figure, Cardiff, Everton and ourselves seemingly the only real bidders at that price, but he is a player with undoubted ability and although a few heads will turn at the price we have paid, overall they will sit up and take notice that perhaps we are about to become the players we have said we woul be.

So a crucial week for Saints, the summer transfer window is definately one of peaks and troughs as we found out last year, the first weeks of July are one of those peaks, a lot of business is done before another trough that wont peajk again till the final week of the transfer window starts and panic sets in and usually those that are signed turn out in hindsight to be well overpriced.

By the end of July  we will either be seeing that we are a club to be reckoned with or we will be thinking we have seen it all before, lets hope that its the former.       

Photo: Action Images

ExiledSupporter added 11:28 - Jul 10 Yes, I think Wanyama is overpriced and Ramirez hasn't (yet) justified his price. I would prefer that we developed a reputation for getting value for money !
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Scummer added 13:44 - Jul 10 Nick, I think that you are right. If the Wanyama deal is to be completed as rumoured then (along with the Lovren signing) it helps give Saints credibility in the transfer market. If we can also land Banega then that conversation with Damiao would be more likely to be fruitful, assuming that those are Pochettino's real targets. Then again, as my nan used to say (Lord bless her soul), "should ifs and ands be pots and pans there'd be no need for tinkers".

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slynch added 17:13 - Jul 10 http://www.fkf.co.ke/index.php?page=NewsandEvents&subpage=FKF%20PRESIDENT%20HAIL FKF PRESIDENT HAILS VICTOR WANYAMA Updated on: Wednesday 10 July 2013 10:19 AM Kenyan Football Players can now make a break through to one of the world’s top football league; The English Premier League after current Harambee Stars Captain Victor Wanyama Mugube made history by signing for Premiership side Southampton. As a Federation we are extremely thrilled with this move by Victor who has continued to be Kenya’s football ambassador due to his exploits on the pitch. It is through his sportsmanship and leadership qualities that led to the federation appointing him as the Stars captain. He has always honoured his call up to the Harambee Stars and every Kenyan should be proud of this move, said Nyamweya Victor has been a role model to upcoming youngsters in the game and we encourage them to emulate him added the FKF President Sam Nyamweya. FKF MEDIA.

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schatfield added 17:42 - Jul 10 so I dont get it......why do Saints need a big signing as a statement of intent? Isnt the fact we have a tightnit squad who play well together and a well run club, a better statement, than any big money purchase? Also, We have already signed, what should be, a quality defender. We simply dont need more midfielders. Other clubs know we have money regardless and we seem to be spending big on a position that we are not weak in. So is this a good bit of business in any respect especially when the player is a tad overpriced? I dont think it would attract any bigger players to join us because of what we spend here.

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richardmdcooper added 18:30 - Jul 10 Agree on Wanyama being overpriced - I actually think the Liebherr money has masked some of our bad signings and particularly us overpaying for players in the last year or so (gaston, forren, wanmaya, j-rod, mayuka). Can't help feeling we have higher priorties than a central defensive midfielder where we already have three decent ones plus JWP..
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REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 20:35 - Jul 10 Wanyama isn't overpriced. Once you see him play in a Saints shirt you'll see just what a good signing he'll be for us. Him and Schneiderlin will outwork every midfield in the Premiership. Just what Poche wants with his high pressing game. Its harsh on Jack Cork who did really well last year but Wanyama will impose himself and really dominate games. Our midfield will be feared by all!! If you have any doubts read http://celticjournal.org/2281/interview-on-victor-wanyama/ He could be the next Michael Essien, although Wanyama is also great in the air!! Just for reference; Chelsea paid £24m for Essien. I think Saints had £50m to spend this summer. £8.5m on Lovren, £12.5m for Wanyama, leaves £29m to spend on a striker, a winger and some cover at right back. I don't think Damiao will sign for us but its great that we're looking at players of that quality! You can't knock the club's ambition!

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ExiledSupporter added 22:24 - Jul 10 I shall be pleased if Wanyama signs because we can only be stronger from having greater depth in quality. BUT...do we really need him, the clubs transfer priorities are askew? The question that should be considered is perhaps why didn't we sign this guy when he was in Belgium for less than 10% of his current quoted price. If we did that sort of thing then I would be impressed by our ability to spot young promising talent, but perhaps apart from Forren for whom there is no evidence one way or the other, our record in this seems at best occasional eg. Clyne and Cork as talented players, ready for a step up and very reasonably priced, in the last couple of years. Perhaps Schneiderlein is the best example of success in that goal but neither Reed nor Cortese can claim any credit for his arrival.

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GeordieSaint added 08:04 - Jul 11 It won't be Cork to make way. That system works best when there are three athletic, hard working players in the middle. All 3 will play with Davis as back up allowing a more attacking front 3 more freedom.
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ExiledSupporter added 10:46 - Jul 11 GeordieSaint, I think you could very well be right...but your view also leaves a few lingering questions. Are you predicting a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-2-1 formation? In either case will a) our full backs have enough cover b) will our attack have enough width? Personally I prefer the second version, but it does raise questions about how we will use our existing squad. At this time my selection would be: Boruc Clyne, (any one of 4 CBs*), Lovren, Shaw Schneiderlein, Wanyama, Cork Ramires, Lallana Rodrigues Subs: Davis, Ward Prowse, S Davis, Puncheon, Lambert, 1xCB, Guly In the case of Cork I think he is a wonderful player to have within the club because he is so adaptable, in so far as he can make a reasonable job of playing in several positions in unforeseen circumstances. *the issue of which centre back to play is perplexing. With so little firm evidence about Forren (which would help a decision) then on the basis of last seasons evidence I would have Yoshida on the bench because he can play at full back in extremis and select either Fonte or Hooiveld in the centre - can't decide which of these two I would go for on last seasons form.

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REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 11:37 - Jul 11 GeordieSaint - Agreed, the system worked best last season with Davis playing ahead of Cork and Schneiderlin. But I'm not sure that Wanyama will play the advanced role, especially at home. Maybe he will, or maybe that's why Saints are reportedly close to signing Ever Banega. He would play the advanced role with his Xavi like creativity and technique in picking passes and threading through balls. He's also very good at pressing the opposition and winning the ball back much like Davis did in that position under Poche. Banega used to always play the defensive midfield role but last season he was pushed further forward for Valencia so I think Saints would do the same if we sign him. In any case it looks like Ramirez will be pushed out to the right wing this season, if he can oust J-Rod from the team! ExiledSupporter - We won't play 3 defensive midfielders. No team plays with 3. It can only be 2, ie 4-2-3-1. One of the midfielders must play advanced like Davis or Ramirez did last season. They might have Wanyama lined up for this role but I'd be surprised. Also, if Cork was still Poche's 1st choice then he wouldn't have stated that he was after Wanyama, Banega and Damiao. Two midfielders who would walk straight into our 1st team. The only midfielder who'd keep his place is obviously Schneiderlin. I think Poche will only use Cork as a player to bring on and help close a game out. But we'll see. With Southampton spending so much money reenforcing our already strong midfield its obvious that Poche views the midfield battle as the place where games can be won and lost. Especially when his tactics focus on pressing the opposition and working tirelessly to win the ball back. In Wanyama he's picked one of the best players around to do this. As long as we buy a quality striker who can help Lambert with the goal scoring burden then we'll be in great shape for next season (providing Forren is good and they also get cover at right back!).

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