It's unfortunate for Obafemi, but I don't think it's that big of a blow for Saints.Obafemi would have been useful to spell our other fragile strikers, and of course that playing time would have been valuable to him in gaining experience. So it still kinda sucks, but as injuries go this isn't too bad. There was the slim possibility he could be a revelation and contribute significantly, and that's out the window now. But that was always a very slim chance anywayy. You realistically could not have expected him to play that big a role this season. If Obafemi was our #1 option, we're probably going down. I actually think Austin might be okay. He's not the perfect fit for our scheme, but he should still benefit from us being overall more competent. Armstrong and Redmond have been playing decently and either one or both together give us more of an attacking threat and also an ability to have a more prolonged attack/period of possession. This will give Austin more chances, and I don't care if Austin is fit or slow or drunk, he's still a master at making a little space for himself and he's still a good finisher. You get the ball into the box enough times, he will find a way to score. Not saying he's going to put in a goal a game, but we're just trying to stave off relegation here. Our attack isn't great at the best of times, we're just trying to find a way not to totally suck.
It is funny how people's perceptions of players vary but I think that the absence of Obafemi is a massive blow. He was looking extremely promising and I just had the inkling he would be the missing ingredient to pull us clear of the relegation zone. I have been impressed with him and I feel his pace would have been an asset. I would have expected him to bag a hatful of goals and partly resolve the striking crisis. From what little I had seen, I think he would have ended up being a regular.
He may well of, but we were never going to be relying on him. So it doesn't feel like a massive blow to me, just a typical piece of unluck that we seem to attract over recent times.
The way in which I look at this is, if Austin is our chief threat for the time being then his attributes, as you describe well, need to be played to by the rest of the team. If he’s a bit part player, he’s never going to be much use as he’s not going to get the service that a sniffer of goals, like him needs. It’s pointless trying to play him as though he is someone else. Charlie knows where the net is and how to get himself space. Ok his speed etc might not be what it was but any team who fails to take care of him in the key goal area will regret it at our benefit!!
Obafemi seems to be the next in a line of youth players that get a chance in the first team only to suffer lengthy injuries, that prevent them from stepping up or falling away. Hesketh, Gallagher and Sims did as well, iirc, although I still have hopes for Hesketh.
He is definitely a prospect. Massive blow? Nah, not really. Hatful of goals? No, I doubt that as he needs to work on his composure and finishing. He is more Shane than Shearer at the moment in front of goal, but he is an exciting prospect. Couple of seasons time he could be right on the money, if he stays fit and gets game time.
