Since the arrival of 27-year-old striker Charlie Austin for around £4 million in mid-January earlier on this year, the Southampton faithful have been looking for and expecting a quick start. His debut couldn’t have been better; a dominant header to seal a 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the closing stages of the match.
However, since then Austin has been incredibly unlucky with injuries and dropped out of the starting line-up towards the end of the last campaign. Now that Claude Puel has taken to the squad with a two-striker system, the team is absolutely calling out for him.
Last night in Saints’ first Europa League group game, he certainly had a point to prove. Two goals in just under half an hour including a superb header practically secured the three points early on.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s home game against Swansea City, it’s very clear amongst the fans that he has got to start. Having only started three out of four Premier League games so far, Austin will be very much looking to open his account for the domestic season.
For me, I’d like to see a front two of Jay Rodriguez and Charlie Austin starting on Sunday. With Rodriguez scoring on Thursday evening as well as a few weeks ago against Sunderland, his confidence is likely to be very high, along with Austin’s, whose should be through the roof now.
Since Graziano Pellè’s departure, Saints fans have been demanding a top class, in-form striker to lead the side. I cannot think of anyone better than Austin in the current squad to step up and take main stage. But this is only if he is used effectively and in a poacher’s role, rather than the odd wide attacking position of which he took up when we saw him struggle against Sunderland.
For now, we can only anticipate and look forward to what could be the kick-start of Charlie Austin’s temporarily stagnated Southampton career.
