There is still time to go but if we start our first game without a quality striker who is match fit then I will ask the inevitable question - i.e Why did we sell Gayle when there was no replacement already in place? And we are getting closer to that point. I hate transfer windows. Rumours/gossip - will he won't he? Sooner it's done the better

I really do think Townsend coming this way had a lot to do with the Gayle transfer, at least much more than out potential deal for a new striker.

We've seen deals drag and selling clubs hold out for more money especially on England Internationals so it seems odd how smoothly the Townsend deal went through and I think that's only because they wanted a 20 goal Championship striker in ASAP.

Obviously we always had in mind signing a replacement striker but I think Pardew would have planned for the first few matches to be tight and possibly frustrating affairs with the hope that Wilf, Bolasie and Townsend can get us 5 or so points without a striker and then by deadline day we'll have Benteke or Berahino.

How are they completely different players. Both play as a big centre forward , Kane is one year younger and 1 inch shorter.
Both were well regarded in England junior teams. One has reached his potential the other one hasn't, yet.
Wickham may reach 12-15 goals next season ( hope so, but doubtful ) Kane has smashed that 2 seasons in a row.
I'd love to see Wickham do well , but he's worth about a fifth of what Kane's worth , for a reason.

None of know for sure, I guess, the real story behind the Benteke bid saga. I've resisted posting much, but see it like this

1. He is a proven Premier league player, who would likely be a very good player for us

2. We've offered a very large amount of money

3. SP (who I have not always been complimentary about) appears to be playing a blinder. He is a very shrewd businessman, and is prepared to wait rather than be legged over.

4. We have I feel sure Plans B,C and D, in whatever order. From Sakho, Berahino, Wickham (a tremendous player when fit), Bolasie, Campbell, Ulloa, Lapado, loans etc. Gayle was not the answer, SP has done excellently to get £10m for him. As he did well in getting £4m for Glenn, despite my sentiment and man love for GM.

5. We are no longer rolled over in the transfer market, as we have been in my 50 years of supporting Palace. SP deserves so much credit for this. He's a fan too, but clever and dispassionate enough not to be fixated on a single player/option.

We're in safe hands, imho.

OF

Jackson.. Wan Bissaka.... Sansom.. Nicholas.. Cannon.. Guehi.... Zaha... Thomas.. Byrne... Holton.. Rogers.. that should do it..

Jeez. Can we at least wait until the first game of the season before we start talking about relegation?

As far as I am concerned, Palace under CPFC2010 is all about iterations. I am not going to get all dewy-eyed or rose tinted, but surely we can all see that things are going in the right direction?

Gayle wasn't going to fire us into the top half of the table - I loved the bloke, but he lacked the quality in front of goal. Berahino has the quality infront of goal, but seems a bit highly strung and Benteke is proven to improve a team that is not all that great (i.e. Villa).

Either would be brilliant, but if we don't get them, then we are hardly going to go too far into the season with two strikers.

Rubbish.

Just saying.

I'd like him to score the 12-15 goals that you mention, but with new players coming in and his fondness for the Physio table , I'd be surprised if he gets that many starts.
I think he will look back on his career and realise that last season was his real big chance to really make it as a first choice centre forward, with minimal competition upfront , but unfortunately he was held back by injuries.

So you must never ever compare any players as they are all slightly different.
Both of them are similar in age, pace wise, height. Their main jobs are to score goals and bring others into play , neither are particularly tricky, both direct who like to have a dig when possible. I can't think of another centre forward that Wickham should be looking at and trying to emulate that is currently playing.
But I'm sure it seems pretty obvious to you.