While I understand the emotional debate around Benteke as a high profile signing on high wages who has largely disappointed, the issue is wider than just him.
The club has a decision to make on others who have featured in the first team more than Benteke.
PVA and McCarthy are interesting clubs apparently and I would imagine we could sell for a collective sum of in excess of £7 million in January - lower than their value because of the few months left on their contracts.
Now the club could take a decision that we have to retain them as to sell them would weaken the squad too much.
But it does mean they could walk for free in the summer if we don’t extend.
In the normal course of events I wouldn’t be disappointed if we sold Townsend in January to release some value, but obviously this would be crazy if we didn’t have a ready made replacement as we’re short of wingers as it is.
But it does mean again we could lose him for free in the summer.
If we were to buy Sarr (unlikely) or Bright Samuel and get say Bolassie on loan it would allow us to consider selling Townsend in January.
I feel it’s a dangerous game to have seven players of the 25 man squad with contracts ending in the summer and think it would be sensible to start the rebuilding process in January.

Here's a little clue. Describing those that don't think the manager should be sacked as idiots isn't exactly complimentary to either.

With regard to my precious Roy, results and performances over the last few months mean his job is close to being on the line and if they continue to slide then a change will be necessary. As has been said many times, any manager is only six or seven games from the sack. However, given our prior record with managers and their integrity we have been bloody fortunate to have him for the last three years and he's deserving of a bit more respect than he's been afforded on here for much of the last eighteen months.

My comments about the substitutes were relatively polite and my view hasn't changed.

Exclent analogy. Probably best get a working car before you scrap the other.

If they offer Bentenke a new contract then it has to reflect his performances for the team, with a much reduced salary and possibly generous goal/assist bonuses. It is not just about money but also what it says to the rest of the squad if he remains a top earner despite very little contribution for three years. I think many of us would rather see him gone now though.