It was actually a well reasoned and insightful comment - even for the Benteke haters. Did you even read it in detail, or just clock that it went against the anti Benteke agenda and instantly dismiss it.

I don't recall anyone saying he is the saviour he is just above average which goes to show how poor the others CFs are, Mateta is the best of a bad bunch, why would PV choose him above the others, unless you think PV is Clueless

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

Happy to second your comment Sprites.

Benteke is an asset in offering something others cannot. He's a very likeable character for me so I personally find it hard to hate him. Just needs to be crystal clear on what he can and cannot bring to a game (wordplay intended).

Edouard is looking a bit lightweight since he arrived, that cameo at Spurs still looking to be his best performance. Might also argue he needs time to adjust to the league and team and vice versa. Thought he was a fantastic acquisition at the time.

Mateta - Good movement, tall, seems technically capable, young but yet to be convinced of him as a 'finished article'. Very much see him as an Origi character, may have decent spells but struggle to see him developing to become 'prolific'. What do I know though eh?

Ayew - Not Russia, apologies, meant 'not a striker'.

My diagnosis would be that each of these players has the potential and opportunity to become 1st choice however none of them have grabbed that. Equally, I'd still be reluctant to write anybody off just yet though Benteke has had his time. Perhaps this is what Vieira is holding out for but should the time come, you'd like to think we'd still look for that 1st choice man and perhaps move on those that become deadwood and keep those who still have something to offer squad.

Also, just a final point. It's something that gets said a lot, including probably by me, but I really do have a gripe with this notion of young players having 'potential' as if it is a given. F***ing Michael Owen peaked at 18 and just because you're half decent when young doesn't mean you will automatically get better and better down the years. Random rant of a cerebral challenged lunatic for today!

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

When the midfield is not functioning properly (as in tonight) it would be helpful to have a focal point up front to allow us to link up the midfield and wide players.
Despite the well documented problems with Benteke in terms of lack of mobility and missed chances, he's still probably our best option to provide that focal point.
I'm not suggesting that he should start every week, but I still think there are games where he could perform a role.

He's not. Nowhere near. End of. Let's move on...everyone's getting sick of us.

For much of this season the central striker has had Zaha and Ayew either side of him.
Neither are adept at picking out the striker in the penalty area with passes or crosses.
Zaha often plays with his head down and looks to cut in and look for shooting opportunities.
Ayew undoes his hard work when in good crossing positions by not looking up and finding a teammate.
He invariably hits the first defender or finds the keeper.
For the Stoke goal yesterday Sawyers got past Hughes on the byline, looked up and picked out his teammate to slot in the goal.
Edouard did this for the Mateta goal v Norwich, Olise for Gallagher's goal v Man City but examples are few and far between.
With Olise increasingly getting starts I hope the service to the striker improves.
It's a thankless task expecting Zaha or Ayew, for all their other attributes, to put the ball on a plate for the striker from wide positions.