GEORGE BURLEY is not so much tinkering with Saints as virtually starting again.

The new boss is certainly stamping his mark on the batch of players he has inherited.

When he took over he reckoned there were 32 professionals at the club, and that that was too many.

Since he joined, Saints have lost no fewer than ten players, bringing in three.

And in the next day or so there are expected to be a more departures and a few more arrivals.

Add to that all the players who are out of contract in the summer and the potential changes then, and the squad of just over a month ago might be unrecognisable compared to the squad of August 2006.

But then, many would say that a revolution is what has been needed at Saints.

It may make uncomfortable viewing at times, but that has been the approach on the field and off it, from the backroom staff to the players.

The aim is unity of purpose, everybody pulling in the same direction, a group with one common goal who are agreed on the best way to get there. Those who do not want to be a part of it will not be welcome.

But it's a long process.

It's not one that is guaranteed to work, but it is one that both Paul Sturrock and Harry Redknapp felt was necessary.

The only difference was that they weren't given the chance and the club has sunk without trace as a result.

But what has happened has happened and the task for Burley is his rebuilding plan.

All three of the players he has brought in were on show against Leicester.

Jim Brennan, who once cost Nottingham Forest £1.5m, looked steady, and is clearly a proper left back.

Danny Higginbotham, probably Saints' player of the season up until this point, has done a good job there.

But, goodness, did he look more comfortable moved into the centre of defence at the weekend.

Higginbotham and Claus Lundekvam look like a combination that could work and, of course, Higginbotham looks tailor-made to join the long line of big men - Ken Monkou, Dean Richards, Paul Williams, Michael Svensson - who have done well as the dominant force in defence while Lundekvam sweeps up behind.

Darren Potter, on loan from Liverpool for the rest of the season, had a decent debut.

He has a bit about him. His distribution is good, his awareness spot on and he looks like he could play a steadying role in the Saints midfield - but can get forward as well.

Initial impressions: very good.

Then there is young Bartosz Bialkowski, the 18-year-old Polish keeper.

Simon Hunt, Burley's scout, deserves a pat on the back for this one. Likewise, his goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster.

This boy looks a bit special.

For an 18-year-old keeper to be in a first team and look so confident is remarkable.

His shot-stopping is excellent, his handling looks capable, his distribution is exceptional and he seems as if he will grow into becoming a commanding force for the back four.

One thing that Bialkowski does, which typifies a change in style for Saints, is the ability to get the ball out quickly.

The number of times he throws the ball to a teammate almost immediately after receiving it is impressive.

Burley has Saints looking to get the ball in play and to feet as quickly as possible. Look at the urgency with free-kicks, the little pass inside to set the ball moving again.

It's all about playing at a higher tempo, your team dictating the pattern of play - and it's impressive.

There are clearly still more players to come to build a squad who can play this style, and they are needed.

But there are promising signs for the future. Burley is certainly inspiring confidence that, given time, he will do a very good job.

In the short-term, it is a case of stabilising, shoring up the league position and now looking forward to an FA Cup fifth round tie.

The game at Leicester, who have lost their last six league games, was awful. Truly, truly dreadful.

It was a tale of two chances. Elvis Hammond broke through and Bialkowski produced a superb dive at his feet to palm away his shot.

In injury time Leicester failed to deal with a high ball and sub Kenwyne Jones rifled goalwards.

Rab Douglas got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.

That was about the size of it really.

But, despite the poor quality of the game, both teams looking short of confidence on the ball, the early signs are there that Burley is doing the right kind of things with his team.