Summer transfer window.

[Neiler]

Sunderland are the exception that proves the rule. Perhaps Forest as well before them. Only in the process of massive change (such as achieving promotion to the Premier League) can you undertake a massive overhaul of the squad by signing, say, 10 players. Otherwise big changes to the squad generally tends to destabilise and you lose places, rather than gain them (C.F. the RS, most recently).

For a club like Sunderland with no parachute payments coming up its such an acceleration in income as well - its like winning the lottery and you can go out and offer mad wages and have relegation release clauses etc. For players its attractive becuase you can get a foundation to be a star in the PL at a smaller club - but also have the opputrtunity to move on again if it doesnt work out.

Honestly the toughest place to be probably in terms of recruitment is to be a big mid table team like Spurs, Villa, Everton and Newcastle maybe Leeds.