Royal Rother On a slightly different tack - signing new players will mean the opportunities for our promising players are reduced. What will people be most happy with? More established pros and no chance for Pearce, Henry, Karacan, Robson-Kanu etc. or let's see how good they might be in the 1st half of the season, (possibly sacrificing a few places / points) and, if not good enough then use the January window to strengthen?
Personally speaking I would be perfectly happy if we gave the youngsters a chance to prove themselves rather than spending on new players - I'm sure many wouldn't though, because they just want those millions to be spent as that's the only thing that will demonstrate real ambition to them.
I think again it comes down to a balancing act and getting the right mix of youth, experience and quality.
Take Henry for example. Little will hopefully come back into the reckoning next season and should probably start as our right winger. However, it would seem obvious that he's not going to be fit enough to play week in week out, or at least that is what we should be expecting given his record (something we got horribly wrong last season). Little plus AN Other right winger (who might only play there on a part time basis and be used on the other wing, upfront or in the middle perhaps) as his experienced cover. Over the course of the season Henry, effectively being our third choice right midfielder should, if he shows he's good enough get 10-15 games as a sub or as a starter if he fulfils the potential. That is more than enough chance to suss out his real potential at Reading. He has to be used more in the cup games though.
Likewise you can say the same for the likes of Robson-Kanu, Karacan and Pearce. Having any of them as the only back up to our supposed 1st choice players would just not be enough strength in depth as far as I'm concerned.
Obviously finances and player availabilty effect who we can get in as 1st or 2nd choice in their positions, but I don't think any of them have shown enough to be one injury away from being our 1st choice next season.
I've obvioulsy discounted Kebe from the right wing scenario because he doesnt count as a professional footballer!
In all fairness, to answer your question RR, I'd rather see the youth given a fair chance to prove their worth and we finish, for arguements sake, 8th and outside of the play offs, than we never see them get a chance and finish 3rd.