He has two shots on target this season. In over 500 minutes. Jack Stephens has more (and he has played less).
It seems CB has been a recurring problem since fonte and vvd left. Just don’t have anyone who can read the game like fonte and vvd irreplaceable. It feels quite silly now that fonte wasn’t given the extra year, even at his age I would choose him over hoedt vestegaard and Stephens.
Fonte was on the way down. Excellent while Here, but look at him at West Ham. Let’s not re-write history.
Obefemi had served two balls on a plate and could not even put it on target. He was given those opportunities because Fulham decided stupidly to park the bus, forgetting that with their defense there was no bus to park. People kinda see what they want to see. If Austin had gotten those looks and not scored people would be screaming about how bad he was. But because it was Obafemi everyone is happy for him just to touch the ball even though mostly the balls fell to him.
I have found it hard to post on here of late because I feel so disappointed with the results despite the fact that the performances have improved. I thought that we played well against Watford and, by all accounts, Saints produced some decent football yesterday. I think that the problem is far deeper rooted than simply replacing Hughes. He would be unfortunate to be sacked after these two performances and whilst I feel that the lack of results this season does not count in his favour, I cannot see how anyone new can improve a team that is stuffed with mediocre players. I think it was correct than Reed and Watson both went but other than McCarthy, PEH and Redmond, it is difficult for me to argue that anyone else has really pulled their socks up. The fact that the new recruits have not established themselves is indicative that we have recruited poorly although I feel we will see an improvement in Armstrong now he is playing in his correct position. Hughes was obliged to have a crack at managing after last season but I am afraid he is not the answer. The quicker he goes, the better but I am struggling to think who could be brought in. Losing out on Ranieri was perhaps Reed's ultimate mistake.
As for Hoedt, I have defended him in the past as I have seen some real quality. It's those stupid moments that tend to always lead to goals that gets to the point that it's hard to make a case for him to be in the team. It was a stupid mistake and he needs a break from the first team. What I will say however is that he was on the bye line for ages, tossing about, shielding the ball but no one else really came to his aid to take some responsibility. It's a collective defensive problem that we have.
I think Austin would have scored one of those. That doesn’t detract from the thought that he was hopeless whilst he was on the pitch though.
The issue with Austin is that he rarely seems to get in a position where he gets the ball, at least Obafemi got into position to get a chance. Austin was again completely anonymous whilst in the game as he was against Watford. Against Leicester I would given Obafemi a start
Slightly different take on it but same end result - yep he was faffing about there for ages which also allowed Fulham to push up & when he passed the ball to them was absurdly out of position. Criminal in my mind. Great take for the goal but ****e defending by Hoedt got us there.
I think that Austin has been a big let down. He has not scored enough goals to justify his reputation. I find it odd that we have persisted with him as he never seems likely to score. It is a shame that we never signed him earlier in his career but we had better option back then. Good to see Obafemi make an appearance but I think the youngsters should have been given a go earlier given the lack of prowess the senior players have had over recent months.
One of them must be the penalty v Crystal Palace? edit: yes it was, and the other in the 90th minute at Anfield at 0-3.
They weren’t on a plate, he created his chances for himself with his movement. Watch them back, he makes a dummy run then pulls back to create space for himself. Something which any striker should be looking to do. Austin just waddles about, it was seriously pathetic. An absolute disgrace of a performance IMO.
Apart from the results I have to say this season has generally been more entertaining than the last two. But ffs - those silly mistakes !!!
Can’t disagree except Obafemi has only made two cameo appearances whilst Charlie has been in the game for over 10 years. Let’s not destroy the youngsters confidence before his career has even started
The plus for me from yesterday was Armstrong scoring two good goals, and nearly a third. Apart from that , it was more of the same - more possession, more attempts than the opposition, and still lose the game.
If we had Ings playing with Armstrong we would have scored 6 goals... Austin just isn't good enough unless the ball is put on his foot with sod all movement. His deterioration has wound me up.
Who decides when Hughes should go and who decides what managers make the short list and eventually become the next manager? Is it all on Ross Wilson?
