I

I don’t think Benteke will agree to go. I think he wants more chances in the PL. A fit motivated Benteke in form with confidence would still be a very good PL striker? A lot of ifs there though!

We had a return in his first season, perhaps his goals kept us in the premiership. He's been awful since, however plagued with injury. He's proved he's got goals in him, let's see what a fit Benteke can do when delivered quality crosses rather than cutting inside. I'm not defending his form but I do recognise his first season with us and I don't belive we have played to his strengths. I expect a barrage of abuse from this response..

He had his best ever season for assists in Year 2. I'd agree that we are not geared up to his strength in the air. It would help if we had a reliable dead-ball crosser. We only scored 4 goals from corners last season.

Yes, it's a strange phenomenon amongst football supporters - or maybe not so strange. An expensive, highly rated player arrives who's going to solve all our problems, he turns out to be a flop, and the crowd patiently do all they can to help him. I can't remember his name, but perhaps 6 or 7 years ago some such character pitched up and was close to useless. I recall him scoring only one goal, a header at the Holmesdale end, which was greeted by the crowd as if it had won the Cup Final.

I don't know whether I'm allowed to say his colour, but suffice to say that describing him as the "big white hope" could hardly have been more inappropriate. I've an idea he came from Wolves.

There is an element of this because once sam left we then had AWB and Roy take ages to either get the ball to him on the floor or marked by 2 CB’s or not get the ball to him at all.

However, Benteke’s reading of deliveries is p1ss poor and lazy. When has he ever moved to the destination of the pass or ball into the box? Anyone who’s played football understands what their teammates do and are about to do. He hasn’t a scooby. I question how much of a football brain he has actually. Close to zero, but put a ball above everyone just asking for it to be buried and he’s your man. Sunderland away corner and Friday night at Goodison Park in the corner of the box was Friday night dinner thank you very much for him.

All this highlights a lack of coherent strategies by Parish. Bringing in FDB to overhaul the football too quickly with a minimal budget. Doomed to fail. Our recruits from now on must be smarter. Being able to play football being the first prerequisite.

COYP

Up until skin colour it could’ve been Adi Akinbiyi. Scored with his @rse. Only trevor Francis was told at the fans forum in the Stephenson’s lounge what a mistake he was making. I was sat next to the main objector.

COYP