Not sure how so much confusion can prevail: would Townsend improve us - YES, clearly. Even if he was just a sub, he is a sub who offers a game changing skill set, he can change a games pace and offers penetration. Not sure these are qualities that Sinclair has, but this doesn't diminish Sinclairs value to our squad.
Secondly, sadly if we want top half, we need to employ top half standard players (Townsend is after all a young capped Endland player), much as it sticks in my throat, we need to pay these one dimensional sportsmen the going rate too.
I should also add we shouldn't care about Spurs fans dilousioned views, they've had a screw loose for years and years.