Early identification is massively key. Negotiations are a latter state development, if targets had been identified early, and I mean well before last season ended, we wouldn't be scratching around and still have no new faces in the back line as it stands. Last season you could see a mile off where the areas were that needed sorting, and whilst we have Kante and MB that is only very minimal to what is required.
This club need to work faster and harder if we are to challenge for anything, not just this season but in the future. They are not operating in a way to last seasons short comings.