But we didn't sign them at the time thinking "they'll go for **** loads", we signed them because we wanted good players and they were available to buy. The fact that we sold them for a decent profit is a bonus, but it shouldn't dictate how fans perceive the player. I'm not saying we wouldn't get money for the likes of A-Bob and Maguire, just that it's not important right now. If there was a bidding war over them then it'd be different, we as fans would want the best value for the club, but that's the only time money should really come into it. The focus should be on how good the player will get, not how much money the club will get when they sell him.
I know I go on about it, but I honestly don't give a **** how old a player is. Imagine this scenario:
There are two strikers in the league below us, a 30 year old who managed 28 goals and a 23 year old who managed 15. Which one do you go for, based on those stats? The one that scored the most goals, obviously.