The sooner we sign a big name the better. If, say, we are talking to Bent and he's not too sure about Villa (compared to say Spurs who have European football to offer him), surely it would be better to say, well, we'll already signed SWP and Dica (or whoever), surely this shows our intent? Rather than saying, well we've signed Bardsley!
Once we get one, I think 2 or 3 more will follow.