Experience over youth

It's a funny old game. Although the deals were separate, we have effectively sold Konchesky for £2m plus Chris Powell which I suppose is reasonable business, and you can understand Curbs' thinking. He knew he was short at left-back and why bother scouring the globe for a suitable replacement when there was a veritable Valley legend virtually begging to come home to end his career. Curbs has spoken of the need to inject some youthful exuberance into the squad, but he clearly isn't ageist and values the experience and enthusiasm that we probably also lacked during the run-in last season. If Kelly Youga shows suitable promise, he may be ready to play second fiddle to the Herminator by the time Chrissie Powell hangs up his boots and probably moves into a coaching role. It's a smart short-term move for sure. Even if he isn't playing and even if he isn't even in the 16-man squad, you don't have to know Powell personally to know his enthusiasm is genuine and he can only be an asset in the dressing room and beyond.

Indeed, after weeks of moaning, fans have four new signings to think about in a week, all of them very different yet all very rational and logical. Perhaps with the memory of the excessive money spent on the likes of Jeffers still fresh in his mind, Curbs has been doing some wheeler-dealing Harry Redknapp-style, and brought in two loan signings, Ambrose (on the cheap it seems) and of course Powell. The trail seems to have gone a little cold on Smertin, but the fact that Sorondo is loaned from outside England is a clever move and permits (I think) another loan signing from within the country. I think Smertin would be a terrific loan signing and add some more experience and depth to the midfield.

I know very little about Spector despite being based in the US, but I trust the judgment of Fergie who discovered and blooded him, and of Curbs who must have watched him. I'm willing to hazard a guess that he's a bit more level-headed than the last loan signing we had from a top-three club (Carlton 'Goal') and if WBA's experience with Kieran Richardson is anything to go by, he could make a great contribution. His addition to the squad, along with that of Sorondo, probably leaves Perry and Fortune a little bit concerned about their places, but whilst Perry doesn't have age on his side, Fortune will need first-team football at this juncture in his career and it'll be interesting to know if any clubs have shown any interest. Something in the region of £500k would be about right in my view.

Suddenly there is a sense of optimism in the air - as Curbs rightly pointed out, the fact that the signings of Spector, Powell and Sorondo were essentially cash-less, plus the unexpected sale of Konch, leaves him with plenty in the bank, a fact that he alludes to himself on the website. It seems likely Euell will depart for £1.5m or so, which leaves the bank a/c only about £1m lighter but the squad somewhat stronger. We still look a little light on the left-side of midfield, in central midfield (unless Smertin joins) and in attack (please don't tell me JJ and Lisbie will have more than bit parts) and hopefully these are the areas we are set to strengthen.