"I looked at trying to bring players in in January, which I did, and I looked in July and we managed to bring in Kendall [Waston] but we've also got targets in January of next year as well," Robinson said at training this week.
"If we can try and bring in someone now that I think will be able to help the group, I don't want to bring a player in that will just sit on the bench or just be part of the squad. They have to be able to affect the team because we've got a very, very good group of players here. If they are, then we'll seriously look at it. If it's not then I'll just be a little bit patient and be sure that I add a couple in January."
Waston looks like being a great signing, but with the defence shored up pretty nicely the past few games, for me, the more pressing need was always on the attacking end.
I've already written and spoken about my desire to see a winger and an experienced striker that can actually finish brought in. Of course, most clubs would love the latter.
As much as I hated Alan Gordon when he was with San Jose, I would have loved him in Vancouver. Just the kind of player we could do with, and he showed his worth to LA already with a crucial goal last night. At least that goal helped the Whitecaps with the Galaxy taking all three points in Colorado against the Rapids.
We did have him as a Whitecaps every so briefly when he was selected in the 2010 Expansion Draft but Tommy Soehn, or whoever, felt in their bizarre wisdom to trade him right back to the club he came from along with another player and all for an international spot. That worked well! Anyway, I digress.
There have been names linked with the Whitecaps and the latest one at the weekend was 30-year-old Dutch winger Julian Jenner.
Jenner ticks the height box we've been looking for at 6 foot 2 and can play as a winger or a striker, but is primarily a winger. We would then just need someone who can put away the work he would create on a consistent basis.
The Dutchman has played mostly in Holland with top sides NAC Breda, AZ Alkmaar and Vitesse, and most recently was with Hungarian side Ferencvaros for two seasons.
He creates, he can score and apparently has the nickname of "The Scissor Kid" because of his stepover skills.
Jenner is currently available on a free but was quoted in the Dutch press as saying he had offers from a number of clubs and would make his mind up this week. Those clubs included English Championship sides Wolves and Blackpool and the Whitecaps.
But not so quick. Robinson admitted that Jenner was a player that the Caps had taken a look at but, by Tuesday, they had not made him a contract offer.
"He's one of a number of players that we've looked at," Robinson said. "To say that we've offered him a contract is totally untrue. We haven't. We have looked at him but he's one of a number of players that we've looked at.
"It's difficult at the moment because of the cap scenario. We're able to do things or we're not able to do things and it's just an ongoing process. Unless players are free transfers, which obviously Julian is, but other players are, and we can't really do anything with players that are contracted to other clubs. So we'll move on.
"Is something going to happen in the near future? Maybe. There's no guarantee because obviously we're in a cap orientated league. We'll just continue monitoring that. If we get someone in great, if we don't then we just regroup as a group and we see what we can do between now and the end of the season."
There will undoubtedly be a number of players like Jenner who are keeping their options open right now and seeing who wants to pick them up. The Caps have until September 15th before the MLS roster freeze, but with some key games coming up, including a vital three game home stand from next Saturday, sooner rather than later would be preferred.
So might any additions come from a trade within the league?
Sporting KC's Claudio Bieler was one name thrown out there in maybe a trade with Nigel Reo-Coker, and whilst he may be worth a look for the remainder of the season, he doesn't seem to be a player that fits in with what Robinson sees as the club's long term plan.
Robinson is certainly exploring all the options and there are players in MLS that he would love to bring to Vancouver, but only if it's the right deal for the Caps.
"It is hard," Robinson admitted. "The amount of conversations you have about trades is phenomenal. You probably talk about 10, 12 different players a week, and maybe one gets done every month. Managers and GMs feel each other out and say what are you looking to do and they ask you who you're trying to move rather than just say who they want to move It's a chess game, it really is.
"Will we look to openly do it within the league? Yes, maybe. There are certain players that I do like but if have to give up one of my core pieces and I don't think it's worthwhile then I won't do it, because it's not just about the short term but the medium and long term as well.
"There will be growing pains. I know that. I'm willing to accept them. I have to accept them. But the important thing is the group and making sure that the intensity, the spirit and the camaraderie stays amongst them and it certainly is."
There is one final option available to the Whitecaps for player additions and that it to promote from within. The Homegrown option.
Sam Adekugbe was added to the MLS roster as a homegrown signing on August 28th last year. With the talented Marco Bustos and Kianz Froese waiting in the wings for their chance, this seems like a likely scenario this year as well.
Robinson wouldn't confirm either way when I asked him about the possibility on Tuesday, but did tell us this, with a smile.
"Maybe. Maybe, yes. It would be good. Another two youngsters into the fray would be very nice."
It would indeed.
They have the potential to both be difference makers for the Whitecaps down the road and we expect them to be announced as signings soon. I also wouldn't be surprised if they both see some MLS minutes before the end of the season too.
Hopefully they'll be joined by a couple of current difference makers before the roster freezes. Things are tight right now in the West and with it increasingly looking like Vancouver will be in a shootout with Portland for the final playoff place, they definitely need that little bit extra to get them over the red line.