Would you be happy if we signed no more players this summer?

I know I wouldn't, yet that is the stark picture that Graham Carr has painted over the last day or so.

We've heard a lot of soundbytes from Carr since he signed his new eight-year deal the other day. Some have been impressive but some, such as this one, have been underwhelming.

It's great to hear that Carr, Pardew, Ashley, Llambias and Charnley get on so well. It's good to hear that there are tentative signs of long term stability at the club these days, and it's also great to hear that so much research is put into our transfer dealings these days. However with a European campaign on the horizon and a flurry of players leaving the club, the need for reinforcements this summer could not be greater.

However Carr has delivered a warning ahead of a summer of transfer speculation: "If we couldn’t get who we wanted this summer we wouldn’t sign anybody."

"That’s because we want to get things right here. We would not just bring a body in to fill a hole. That has always been the policy. It has to be the right age, right criteria and right attitude."

He added: "Mike has backed this all the way and done it with finance. Alan and his coaching staff have organised the side well."

I guess it makes sense. The opposite of signing the right players is signing the wrong players surely, and who really wants that? I would take this more as a note of caution for clubs who are looking to extract that bit of extra money from a club that is now in Europe.

It's clear that we'll see a long approach when it comes to transfers, which may be frustrating in the short term but also rewarding in the long term. Remember the shock and awe of not replacing Andy Carroll for twelve months, or the disdain at not bolstering the defence after the injury to Steven Taylor? Ultimately they were risks that came off, but I wouldn't want to take them again.

Hopefully after another summer of, cautious, strengthening, and another decent season if we can manage it, we'll have a squad that is strong enough to fight on a few fronts and cope with any injuries that come our way. Despite last season there is still room for huge improvement within the squad and there are several holes that need filled.

It'll be a steady road but hopefully we can get there.