I think we are expecting too much.
Yes we need players , but are we attractive enough to entice the big players.
I feel we need to be realistic in what is actually gonna happen.
We need to target the next generation of 'big players' before they've been snapped up by the bigger clubs. Some will only want to move to Champions League teams but some, players like Tielemens, may well be open to a move to us as they'll be gauranteed playing time.
Instead of buying 1 or 2 of those players, who we might struggle to hold on to for long enough to build a team that can get top 4 before we have to move them on we need to try and get 3 or 4 of them, then add some really good players that aren't getting game time at big clubs to give us more experience.
There's enough quality players out there that could help get us in the top 4 if we target the right ones, imo.
I agree with your comments in general though.