I think there's something to be said for getting your business done early, although it's possibly a bit of a basic metric. I've read the writings of a few directors of football who say it can be the sign of an organised, well run club who have planned ahead. Players get more time to integrate and you aren't forced into last minute panic buys.
(Broken record alert) - when Ashworth was here, our business never went into the final few days, with nearly everything done atleast a week in advance unless something special came along. That changed as soon as he left with panic buys like Sessegnon and Anichebe.
It's no guarantee, Stoke did it a few years ago and were battling relegation within a few months, but it does suggest more planning having been put in place.