Nothing lasts forever and things have moved on considerably. At the time I was mystified as to why we sold Murray & Gayle, but kept Campbell. I still think that was a massive mistake.

Sure Trekkers cost a lot, but Sako was a freebie and he is getting the odd goal here and there. Let’s be positive and hope we get a half decent striker in this transfer window...

Murray has 7 goals this season ( two penaties ) Sako has 5 goals with no penalties and in a quarter of the game time , looks like he’s been replaced with a free transfer .....

I don't really understand the criticism of Wickham, other than that he's had injury problems. If you look at his record he actually has 9 goals and 3 assists in 23 starts. Some his goals were worldies and before he was injured he was starting to look like a player with real potential. He did suffer the same as Bentenke for his perceived lack of interest at times, but I think that may just be the expression he carries and his style of play. I really hope he makes it back.

Remy never got a chance because of injuries and last season Bentenke had a very good goal scoring record.

I think the reaction to the OP was perhaps a bit OTT, but they did write post that was likely to stir some emotions. Personally, I was thankful for what Murray did for us but I've never wished we had him back. Despite being at Brighton I'm glad he's finally playing regularly in the PL, but I don't think he's the player he was and I wouldn't be surprised to see him benched once Brighton bring in another striker (they've scored even less goals than us).

Edit: I just checked and of Murray's 6 league goals this season two were penalties (he also missed one). So that's actually only four goals in open play. Not exactly prolific (albeit better than Bentenke's one goal!)

Edited by taylors lovechild (10 Jan 2018 8.07am)

Probably not the right forum, but any news on Wickham??
Im very concerned at the length of time out especially with a knee injury.

Benteke's goals kept us up last season, so opinion strong about calling him a flop.
And further it's history, a lot of dwelling in the past does no-one any good.

My remembrance of the facts are quite different from yours.
He was injured in playoff final and returned just after xmas. Pulis was our manager . Murray played 15 times and scored 1 penalty, Jerome was generally preferred.

Pulis brought in Fraizer Campbell and was looking at other strikers before he left.

Warnock came in and virtually first thing he did was send GM out on loan.

Pardew arrived brought him back from Reading and gave him a new contract. He played 20 times and scored 7 goals. He also brought in Shola Ameobi as cover

Following season as you say Connor Wickham arrived. GM played 2 games in league and scored no goals, he was unhappy at being a bench player and when Bournemouth showed an interest he asked to go. Should we have kept a player who wanted to leave?

At Bournemouth he played 22 games and scored 4 goals. Initially he was a starting player but over season he dropped to bench and was 3rd choice by end of season.

He joined BHA on loan which became permanent in 40 games in championship he scored 23 goals. This year he was only in first team due to injuries and as you say he has scored 6 goals, more than Benteke.

In retrospect should he have stayed? Probably yes, he would have been a bench player but he was at Bournemouth and probably still is at BHA