Charlie Austin had endured a difficult start to the 2017/18 season, but should not be sold before he is given a proper run out.
Things aren’t too sunny on the south coast at the moment, and as a result the Daily Mail suggested late last week that the Saints would listen to offers for all three of their first team strikers as part of a January shake-up.
Long’s potential impact off the bench and Manolo Gabbiadini’s superior ability have kept them out of transfer rumours but this isn’t the first time Austin has had his name batted around this season. This doesn’t come as a shock considering the 28-year-old hasn’t started at all in the league this season.
In fact, Austin’s 35-minute run-out in the loss to Liverpool was the longest he’s played in a PL game this campaign, having amassed only 28 minutes across the Manchester United, Stoke, Newcastle and West Brom games collectively.
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Austin’s lackluster performance against a dominant Liverpool has only alienated more supporters, with cries that the English forward’s head isn’t in the right place and that he looks disinterested.
This comes just a year after Austin was irreplaceable for Southampton, scoring nine in 19 before suffering an injury in the Europa League which set him back until April.
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Austin has fed on scraps and has very often been brought on when the Saints are already losing and chasing the game. Morale is low among the Southampton players at the moment and when the Saints go behind, the never really look like scoring. It isn’t really Chaz’s fault.
Before the fans can decide that he want him sold in January, Austin has to start a game. The Wolves match was a write-off because Pellegrino was trying out a new formation and everyone had an off day.
With Oumar Niasse retrospectively suspended for deceiving a match official, the Saints may now have the edge. The forward has scored five of Everton’s 12 league goals this campaign and will be sorely missed this Sunday.
Giving Austin a rare but deserved start could be a game-changer. Everton will more than likely prepare for either Gabbiadini or Long, and Austin a differs skill-set which could pay dividends.
The 28-year-old is a natural goalscorer and needs game-time and confidence before he can start finding the back of net again. Before selling him is even considered, he needs a chance to show why the Saints bought him in the first place