Luke Dowling hails shrewd West Brom moves

All three players were snapped up as free agents to provide competition for places and bring some added experience to Darren Moore’s squad.

Both Hoolahan, aged 36, and Mears, 35, have agreed deals until January while Sako, 30, has put pen to paper on a contract until the end of the season.

And Dowling believes the signings show Albion are learning from some of their past mistakes.

“I think when you look at those three players, it some of the best business the club has done,” Dowling said.

“It’s important to look at their age, Tyrone was in the MLS last season, Wes was a free agent, Sako has had injury problems.

“It might have been the case a year ago that West Bromwich Albion gave them longer-term contracts.

“The fact we’ve given two out of three of them a deal until January – and said ‘Come and show us what you’ve got’ – it’s the best thing the club could have done.

“Do we want to want to give a 35-year-old right-back a two-year deal?

“What message does that give to the younger players in the 23s?

“The fact the negotiation from Darren got them on the short term was the best business we could have done in terms of those individuals.

“It’s three players on a Bosman free transfer. It goes back to the West Brom way.”

Dowling joined Albion in September as the club’s sporting and technical director after previously enjoying successful spells with Watford and Nottingham Forest.

But while he is happy to look at short term deals, he moved to remind fans they are still happy to sign players on longer contracts.

“Look at Sam Johnstone who has signed a big long-term contract,” he continued.

“There’s also been discussion about contract renewals with certain players.”

Dowling previously worked with Moore during a brief stint at Blackburn when Moore was first team coach under Michael Appleton.

But while a main part of his role is identifying and signing targets for the first-team, he confirmed Moore has a big say in all the players he looks at.

“Darren is heavily involved in the recruitment process,” Dowling continued. “Darren picks the team on a Saturday, so we’d look stupid if we sign a player he doesn’t want.

“There is no point bringing someone in if Darren isn’t going to play him.

“He has his say about the type of player he likes.

“And the scouting network we’re slowly rebuilding at this club will give him our choices and options and ultimately we’ll sign the best player we think for the club.”