Let's play Devils advocate for a moment.
Solanke is likely to be sold, as Bill has alluded.
There are several players who we have either signed, or secured to long contracts who haven't contributed to being a massive improvement on what we already had.
Outtara
Billing
Traore
Neto
Radu
Fredericks
Randolph
Faivre
Adams
Scott
Unal
That's a whole pile of average, none of which who have massively improved what we already had.
The 'if we can keep this squad together' narrative is simply not true.
Which clubs above us are hankering to sign any of our current players?
Solanke...yes, has hit his highest high and should be sold.
Zabarnyi, yes a massive 'hit' by Richard Hughes.
Kerkez, yes likely to be a big 'hit' in the future.
Semenyo, yes, a very good find.
Kluivert, yes a tricky winger with a decent pedigree, and one for the future.
Outside of that, there are more players who are getting on a bit and need replacing.
Smith, done so well, and a great leader, but getting on.
Christie, 29 and has been amazing, but isn't getting younger.
Cook, similar.
Billing, hasn't influenced a game in eons.
Unal has looked enthusiastic but disappointing.
Faivre hasn't done a thing
Outtara maybe will get a chance between the sticks next week.
Traore has gone to Napoli?
Rothwell has gone to Coventry.
Lowe is out of favour
Brooks is at Southampton.
Dembele someone stupidly paid money for.
We need to cut the wheat from the chaff and add to the squad, not keep the ones we currently have, who don't perform
Andoni has been an inspiration, but half of the squad we have are shyte, likely to bemoved on or aging.
The PL is ruthless, and we are overloaded with average.
That's why what Andoni has achieved at this level, and with this squad is exceptional.
But hey, all like Wazs eulogy to Richard Hughes, after a win.
The squad is bloated with rubbish on big wages.
.....Waits for SDD to make a post.
...
'We're in the top ten and you make a post like this'
'I'm happy with where we are'
Etc etc.
It's a bigger picture, than overachiving because of the manager, and not the players.
Unless we upgrade the squad we have we will drop like a stone when Andoni leaves.