Now that we've seen Pardew insist on playing a 4-4-2 with Bolasie partnering Wickham, unless Gayle burst into the team in these last few games, Pardew really ought to be looking at a proper striker so that Bolasie can go back to his best position.

The benefits of having Bolasie there as the striker are that we can easily switch to a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 as the game unfolds, Pardew also can field Puncheon as a much needed creative influence BUT we all agree that Bolasie isn't really cut out for a central role.

I think we need a kind of off the shoulder kind of striker a la Vardy. Here are my candidates for a Wickham strike partner:

Callum Wilson - Bournemouth, Loic Remy - Chelsea, Alexandre Lacazette - Lyon, Andre Gray - Burnley, Danny Ings - Liverpool, Jermaine Defoe - Sunderland

Each one can take care of themselves IF played as a lone striker better than Gayle in my opinion, but are each are suited to playing with a big man like Wickham and a few (Remy, Lacazette, Ings) could slip back into a wing position if really needed to defend.

Somewhat true, Puncheon and Zaha have better discipline defensively but with Bolasie in his natural position we should be dominant down that wing. Souare and Bolasie is potentially one of the best attacking combo's in the league. Regardless it's good to have options and there will be times when someone is injured.

Aren't there rumours Pulis gets cash if there's a transfer fee involving Berahino? Therefore, he's unlikely to let his contract expire

Edit: I've remembered this wrong. Pulls merely wants to spend the cash on players he'll get a cut of. Still, it's motive to sell SB.

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Edited by Qwijibo (01 May 2016 2.24pm)

Berahino is a perfect fit too, although ridiculously overpriced and not really the kind of character we need.

Loic Remy obviously doesn't want to come here. We've tried and tried and tried. He's not that young anyway. 29.

When you’re knocked on your back and your life’s a flop...

You wouldn't say that if you'd worked with some of the people I have