As the season continues to progress and the Saints, once again, find themselves struggling to find the back of the net, questions are starting to creep up about Mark Hughes’ attack.
So far, only three players have managed to score for Southampton this season and only one of them is a striker (Ings). This is unsustainable and if it continues the Saints will find themselves in the English Championship next season. If Hughes decides to continue using two strikers up top it may be time to move away from Charlie Austin and using either Long or Gabbiadini alongside Ings going forward.
In last weekend’s match against Bournemouth, the Englishman struggled throughout his 78 minute shift. He struggled to create space, his pass rate was a dismal 46.7%, and he failed to register a shot while on the pitch. In comparison, both Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini registered a shot apiece in their brief 12 minute sub appearances. (Stats according to WhoScored.com)
The match on Saturday has summed up Austin’s season pretty well. He has not looked sharp in any of his league appearances and lacks that edge he has had in prior seasons. Austin does not appear to be in great shape and his work rate also seems to be down from seasons past. He does not move well off the ball and it is hurting the Saints in the final third of the field.
Long and Gabbiadini each offer a more creative pairing option with Danny Ings then the former-QPR man does. The Irishman has scoring issues of his own, but his incredibly high attacking work rate creates havoc for defenses and opens up the field for his teammates.
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The Italian makes fantastic runs off the ball, that, when his teammates can pick him out he has a fantastic chance at scoring and he always seems to find himself in great attacking position to score goals. For example, Gabbiadini had a fantastic chance to take all three points Saturday by finding himself in a position to head home a goal in the 92nd min.
Charlie Austin offers none of the things the other two do and does not compliment Ings as well either. Austin is a slow, physical striker who relays on his teammates to get him the ball in the box to be able to score. Southampton is lacking in creativity and players who can create their own shots and goals and having Charlie Austin out on the pitch is not helping their cause.
Having failed to have scored in four straight matches the pressure will be on to get all three points against Newcastle and the team selection could prove crucial.