Austin: I'll drive us on (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Austin: I'll drive us on

10:14am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in Sport By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

CHARLIE Austin hopes his best start to the season will inspire Burnley to a higher position in the Championship.

The 23-year-old is the country’s top scorer, with 11 goals from 10 league and cup games.

But while Austin is topping the charts, the inconsistent Clarets have yet to establish themselves in the top half of the table.

Burnley were close to moving up to 11th with the help of Austin’s seventh goal in four games, against Millwall on Saturday, until controversial refereeing decisions led to them being denied a third home league win and instead they had to settle for a point after the Lions’ late equaliser.

Austin is out to hit back tonight though, and take their frustrations out on Sheffield Wednesday (kick-off 7.45pm).

“All the lads were disappointed on Saturday. Millwall were set up to kick-off at 3-1 down and the next minute the flag was up and Junior Stanislas’ goal was given offside,” said the striker.

“I've never witnessed it let alone be involved in it. “Three or four players were celebrating with Junior, others went to get drinks and celebrate with the bench.

“Six or seven Millwall players were stood round the centre circle waiting to kick off.

“I don't think we will get an explanation.”

But Austin has urged the Clarets to move on quickly and give the fans something to celebrate in their last home game before the second international break of the season.

“It would have been a massive boost for us to get three points but we're still not in a bad position. A win tonight would be massive,” he said.

“We need to win. We should have won on Saturday so we need to show the home fans that we can be good at home.

“Against Brighton it wasn't the greatest show from us.

“Last year we didn't win as many games at home but this year we're doing quite well.

“As soon as we get the Burnley fans behind us they drive you forward. And we've got enough quality in the side to get the points.”

He added: “It's a massive game tonight.

“The lads will be fired up to get the three points.

“We set ourselves targets and although we would have preferred the three points on Saturday, we'll take a point because it was a tough game.

“The league's tight at the moment. A few wins here and there and we'll be right up there.

“We want to get on the front foot straight away.”

Austin continued his goal spree with a terrific 18-yard header to help Burnley recover from an early deficit and take a 2-1 lead over Millwall.

The former Swindon Town hotshot counts it among the best he has scored in a career that has yielded 65 to date in just over three years.

But he believes there is plenty more to come this season.

“I just go about my stuff, but my confidence is high at the moment and I feel like I'm going to score,” he said.

“It's the best start I've had (since turning professional).

“I was a bit stop-start at Swindon. I'm in a good run of form now and hopefully that will continue.”

But while the striker is stealing all the headlines he was quick to acknowledge a team effort.

“I can only get in those (scoring) positions when the lads put balls in the box and I'm getting very good service,” he said.

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