I agree with the general thrust of your comments Willo. The bigger picture suggests that the overhaul of the squad is tied into the Academy, which has come to fruition a couple of seasons too late, because we are treading a very fine line with our ageing squad this season. However it is what it is, and should we survive I for one expect to see a very different starting 11 next season. With contract renewals coming up, I think it is fair to say that some players who have been excellent servants for the club cannot compete at this fierce top level anymore. Dann, Ward, Kelly, Jimmy Mac, Townsend, Benteke, all need to be released and replaced.
Obvious Hodgson needs to go too, and a manager who is up to date with modern football and who is good at coaching youngsters needs to be brought in.
A big but necessary task. If Parish has some contingency plans in place it'll be a breeze...

Edited by southnorwoodhill (01 Dec 2020 10.30am)

We really need to be addressing the issue of players out of contact in the summer during the January window.
To leave it to the summer would not make sense and would run the risk of a number of players leaving for free in the summer.
For those we have no intention of keeping it surely would be prudent to try and sell them and release some value in January.
That assumes we have adequate cover in their positions.
There are rumours we are in talks with Benteke and Jairo, but I’ve heard nothing about PVA, Townsend, Sakho, Dann, Cahill, Meyer and Guiata.
Doesn’t mean talks aren’t happening, but that’s a lot of players who need their futures resolved.
All these players have a value though which could potentially be lost if it’s all left until the summer when they could potentially walk for free.
I think Riedewald has time remaining on his contract but believe the others finish in the summer.
Some would think for example it would be throwing good money after bad to offer Benteke yet another contract.
But he still has a value in the market which would be lost if his contract runs down.
Should we try and find a buyer in January then?
This approach needs to be considered for the others too, and sooner rather than later.
We’re only a few weeks from January.

My point related to a broader discussion about players out of contract rather than the narrower one about Benteke in isolation.
This needs to start being addressed now rather than in the summer.

It has been reported that talks have begun with the out of contract players.

So do we seek to sell them in January if they are surplus to requirements or if they won’t re-sign where we wish to retain them?
Celtic supposedly want Mcarthy and there is apparently interest in PVA for example.
It’s foolhardy to leave these decisions until summer.