How are we making a decent fist of it?
Tell you what, go through the last few seasons and see how many players in their 30s sold for 4m in the championship. I had a quick look and couldn't see any but could easily have missed some.
This discussion has always been about potential for development and resale. I'm sorry if you've jumped into something and not understood it. Can't really help you there.
We are also a far bigger club than Brentford, we can afford an academy and to sign promising players in the 20-25 bracket. Derby, Reading etc all managed it so your argument holds 0 water.
There's a reason why our wage bill is so high, churn of managers and expensive players who don't represent value for money. Gambling on a 22yr old is far less risky than a Jenkinson etc.
Didn't we sign Grabban as a 30 year old?
Had Taylor stayed at Charlton & been under contract, I'd expect him to have gone for at least £3m+.