[tidy]

Now the dust has settled on this subject. Could this have been a major gamble by JP that has blown up in his face?

We all expected Berahino to carry on playing and scoring. This hasn't happened.

Also, Garlick still stating that Saido is NOT in Albion's plans for selling.

January could be interesting as Garlick also said that TP needs to sell before he can buy.

I've taken the press releases we've given recently about selling before buying as an obvious nudge to clubs that we're now willing to move Bez on, take our money and run. But stating Saido is not for sale at the same time is just trying to keep his transfer value inflated imo.

Agreed.

My point was, though, that JP dug his heels in and didn't want to sell as he saw Saido (rightly) as a top player and will score goals for us up to at least Jan.

This just hasn't happened. We would be in the exact same position as we are now, i.e. one main striker with Lambert as back-up (I'm not gonna count Vic as it's pointless).
We can't risk this for the second half of  the season so I think, based on what we've seen of Saido this year, we need to move him on and get one of our many targets (?) in.

6 points above the drop with over half a season to go is not a very safe place to be, especially as 2 teams below us have hit some good form.