COMMENT: Charlie sets the case for defence at Burnley (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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COMMENT: Charlie sets the case for defence at Burnley
2:00pm Thursday 4th October 2012 in Sport
HE used to build walls. These days Charlie Austin is building a reputation as one of football’s most feared strikers.
A return of 14 goals this season – an incredible 10 in his last five games – has made him one of the hottest prospects in the Champion-ship.
With January fast approaching, Burn-ley had better watch out.
It is to be hoped the board have already made eff-orts to keep the Hungerford-born hot shot in the form of contract extension offer, at least.
It is one thing to hold out for the highest bid for one striker. To let another slip through their fingers in the following window without a fight would be unforgivable.
But I’m sure the new chairmen would be on the ball with this, even if ultimately their attempts prove to be unsuccessful.
For it isn’t just about what the board can or can’t offer in their attempts to avoid a New Year sale.
His team-mates must do their bit too.
To an extent they already have.
Austin has benefited from some excellent service in averaging two goals in his last five outings, and in the games that have yielded goals before that.
But for a man who had just scored a second hat-trick of the season, and career third, Austin could not have looked more miserable in the aftermath of Tuesday night’s game.
For having worked so hard to give his side the lead THREE times, the Clarets caved in to concede cheaply.
From building walls, he has been made to bang his head against one.
He was quick to recognise that it was a team effort – they attack as a unit and defend as one.
But he can’t do all the hard work on his own.
He can’t keep having such a volume of goals not counting for as many points as they should, or he could be tempted by those January suitors, of which there are bound to be several.
The queue must be growing by the game – certainly by the goal – and at the moment the two things tally.
Loyalty is not widespread in football, but Austin is bound to feel a sense of that towards manager Eddie Howe.
Although he was unable to offer him his first professional contract due to Bournemouth’s transfer embargo at the time, he was the one that made Austin see the dream could become reality by taking him on trial. Swindon snapped him up.
But as soon as Howe had the means to make him his striker after leaving the south coast, he signed him for Burnley.
The work he has done with him on the training ground, the players he has brought in and used to compliment him – allied to Austin’s raw natural talent – have contributed to the striker he is today.
But until there are fewer contributions in the goals against column, Austin’s future could hang in the balance.
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Comments (18)
3:13pm Thu 4 Oct 12
exiled claret says...
3:50pm Thu 4 Oct 12
fylde exile says...
3:50pm Thu 4 Oct 12
fylde exile says...
4:31pm Thu 4 Oct 12
no ney never says...
No one wants rid of Charlie or Eddie, we believe in what Eddie is trying to achieve. We know he is capable (given a half decent budget). What we are lacking at the moment are the signs on the pitch which reinforce that belief.
Howe the lads
5:36pm Thu 4 Oct 12
MikeMada says...
With Eddie, I see the commitment to attack and a strong DESIRE (note my word) to sort out the defence. That hasn't happened yet and I feel sure that it will. Eddie is still learning, we have an unsettled back four, not to mention niggling injuries too. And, according to reports, the boys really showed how they felt after the game in no uncertain terms - which is inspiring for the future.
And, although delighted at Charlie's great return, there are strong signs that the forwards and midfield are not successful at hanging onto the ball well enough when we get in front. So they have work to do and adapt their play when needed.
It will come, the season's still early and we're easily in touch.
The true supporters look to support their team, not incessantly knock it, so, 'exiled claret' it's clear you aren't much of a supporter!
I'm with Eddie and UTC!
6:22pm Thu 4 Oct 12
burnleyglentoran says...
7:16pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Harwoodstblue says...
7:16pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Harwoodstblue says...
1:41am Fri 5 Oct 12
dredlox76 says...
10:06am Fri 5 Oct 12
midas says...
10:15am Fri 5 Oct 12
dredlox76 says...
5:02pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Rovers1975 says...
6:43pm Fri 5 Oct 12
dredlox76 says...
9:43pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Rovers1975 says...
5:25am Sat 6 Oct 12
no ney never says...
Angry and envious we too don't have owners who know nothing about football.
Angry and envious that we don't have debts hidden away in an indian bank
Angry and envious that no company wants to have their name associated with ours.
Angry and envious we haven't almost destroyed the functioning of our club.
Angry and envious we don't have a manager.
Angry and envious we didn't complain about big sam's hoofball and get him the sack.
Angry and envious we don't have this country's top goal scorer so far this season.
Angry and envious we too don't look like a bunch of sad inbred muppets and have an accent that sounds like a retard from cornwall.
So you just keep turning that key as each twist appears to unlock so many reasons why we Clarets are full of envy and anger.
Howe the lads
10:48am Sat 6 Oct 12
Rovers1975 says...
COYB
1:00pm Sat 6 Oct 12
dredlox76 says...
1:10pm Sat 6 Oct 12
dredlox76 says...
Concentrate on your own team and stop posting **** on here.