they'll still end up in mid/bottom half of the table next season with that awful manager in charge. Then he will blame it all on the African Cup of Nations and how is squad was left thin bare.

I am undecided on his signings. I think defensively Brown and O'Shea will bring a lot. I think he will have trouble replacing Bents goals, which he doesn't seem to have addressed, yet. In midfield he has signed average, unspectacular players. I would like to see, if Gibson signs, if he can be decent or not.
They still need a new Centre Forward, and some creativity in midfield.