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2016/17 Southampton season review: Charlie Austin

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Charlie Austin of Southampton (L) celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Jose Fonte of Southampton (C) during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Charlie Austin of Southampton (L) celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Jose Fonte of Southampton (C) during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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With Graziano Pelle sold off to China, Charlie Austin housed a lot of the scoring responsibility going into the 2016/17 season.

Sadly for the Englishman, his season was cut short, as he spent a total of five months out with a shoulder injury that he suffered against Hapoel Be’er Sheeva in December.

Austin arrived in the winter transfer window of the season before from Queens Park Rangers for a minimal fee, scoring just once in seven games but was tipped for a solid first full season this time around.

At the start of the campaign Austin struggled to find his feet but when he did he couldn’t stop scoring. The 27-year-old scored seven of his nine goals in a six-game stretch, including braces over Sparta Prague and former club Burnley.

In total, Austin ended with nine goals in 19 games prior to his untimely injury, before making two more appearances at the end of the season after making a return to fitness.

He added two more goals after the stellar run, scoring in the loss to Hull City, before putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Everton in order for the Saints to overcome former boss Ronald Koeman’s side.

Next season will be key for Austin as he’ll turn 28 over the summer meaning he should be enjoying the best football of his life. He’s contracted until 2020 but will want to remain injury to challenge for the spot of starting striker behind January import Manolo Gabbiadini.

Next: Season review: Sofiane Boufal

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Charlie Austin of Southampton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Southampton at Riverside Stadium on May 13, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Charlie Austin of Southampton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Southampton at Riverside Stadium on May 13, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /

Missed goals

In Austin’s absence the Saints struggled massively up front, to the extent that despite missing five months the English striker still finished as the side’s top scorer with nine.

His value to the side was proved when Southampton went on baron runs without scoring, as they even ended the season without scoring at St. Mary’s in over seven hours of football.

Only Gabbiadini’s efforts when he arrived the club rival Austin’s figures, as the former QPR man actually scored seven goals off of just 13 starts over the course of the year.

What’s more he was averaging just 2.5 shots per game, only highlighting his impressive conversion rate on the front foot. He was thoroughly missed when he was sidelined through injury.

My verdict

Austin’s influence can’t be overlooked in my opinion. The injury was out of his control and I feel if he stayed he’d of hit 15 Premier League goals.

He was vital when he was fit and I pray he stays injury-free next year, although with Gabbiadini you’d hope it wouldn’t be as much of an issue if did suffer another. Nonetheless from the three or four months we saw he has to be given an eight.

Charlie Austin: 8/10