As of next year the Mill hopes to see more clubs take a leaf out of Portsmouth's book. Michael Appleton has signed 10 players the day before the season starts, a staggering influx at Fratton Park that has left the Mill stunned, delighted and perturbed in equal measure. Pompey's desperate late scramble is an inspiration – a remarkable act of bravura that will have Champ Man players across the country bowing down to their screens in awe of Appleton. Praise him, praise him with great praise.

The additions are sure to lift the miasma on the south coast – one signing is enough to get fans excited, but 10? Well, lord knows how that must feel. It is not out of choice that Portsmouth have acted in such ahis wages.

Stuart Taylor, the goalkeeper who has made 68 league appearances in 15 years, has been linked with a move to Reading on a one-year contract. Adam Federici is presumably quaking in his boots.

Southampton have suddenly got a bout of the yips on the eve of the Premier League season. Nigel Adkins must have come into training yesterday, taken one look at his assembled bunch of players, and thought "Christ, we've got to play Manchester City on Sunday." The Saints have made a £6m bid for Blackpool's winger Matt Phillips, an improved offer for the Vitesse defender Alexander Büttner and a surprise swoop for Bologna's Gastón Ramírez.

Finally, Steve Bruce has made free agent Nigel Reo-Coker a target for Hull City.