To bring some optimism to things, my view is we'll sign two very decent players and probably two others, probably a nominal fee and a loan.
Reason I say that is down to common sense - first off, he's said so himself. Second, the run of fixtures we have to start the season means if we didn't bring in good quality, I think even Martinez himself knows his job is on the line.
Third, I just think we're saving the wage costs as long as possible. I think we've identified at least two prime targets and we've probably got them sewn up, but we're waiting. Look at the timing of the McCarthy/Mirallas contracts - right on the eve of the season - and in my view that was to save the wages during the summer.
We're a penny-pinching club that isn't prone to risks or unnecessary expenditure on the pitch; hence why even if we were interested in Shaqiri, we'd have never plumped £12m down on a risk that big given his recent history.
I'm confident we'll spend money and the signings will include some real quality, but my frustration is that we should have been a bit more gung-ho in our approach this season as it's one where we need to do well to retain the core of the side next season. The likes of Lukaku, Barkley and Stones will be big targets for other clubs if we end up marooned in mid-table come May.