Interesting interview with Austin on the official site, clearly been affected by off field issues this season and thanks Warburton in this interview for giving him time away from football to get his head right
Quite an emotive interview. Didn't he lose his Grandad?
He says Warburton has had to be a friend as much as a manager; after hearing that interview I'm actually surprised he was still appearing from the bench - he was never missing from the squad for any length of time but clearly needed time away.
Hopefully based on what he is saying there (and he sounds very determined about our targets) he can really kick back into gear and become that 'goal every other game' striker we all know and love.
I was taken by how subdued he sounded, and if that was transferred onto the pitch then that would explain him being 'out of sorts' up front. I gathered he had lost a family member but did not realise it was his grandad(?), and I wonder if there is any other concerns too...? That interview does offer the prospect of him helping to keep us in the Play-offs, so perhaps we can look towards his game getting back towards what we now and love!
His all round game has been a lot better the last few games, he's not going to be the 15-20 goal Austin anymore but he's still such a big influence at the club and if we keep him fit I can see him making a real difference in the run in
It's a shame his missed that penalty because his all round game has definitely improved again in recent weeks. Hopefully it doesn't knock his confidence again too much.
I think his penalties against Sunderland and Stoke do tell a story that he's lacking his old self belief. Remember the play off semi final against Wigan? It was never in doubt that he'd score that penalty.
he really wasnt happy with himself missing that penalty
if we get another pen and dykes still injured i think he will demand to take the next one
his game over the past 3-4 has definatley improved nowhere near what he was like first spell but in my honest opinion with all 3 strikers fit hes still first choice for me
i think we should maybe against sheff utd try him and gray up front as a front 2
i have heard rumours he may be off out on loan to a league 1 club for a month in Jan
Well I'll eat my hat if that's true...he's only been involved in one other defeat all season...I know there's more to form than that but if whenever you play the team draws or wins then it seems unlikely that you get loaned out.
It's a bit like the form Dykes was showing earlier in the season...it may look like he's not offering much but the goals and assists tell a different story
Stoke was disappointing but it was a game we could have easily won on another day
i have heard rumours he may be off out on loan to a league 1 club for a month in Jan
Well I'll eat my hat if that's true...he's only been involved in one other defeat all season...I know there's more to form than that but if whenever you play the team draws or wins then it seems unlikely that you get loaned out.
It's a bit like the form Dykes was showing earlier in the season...it may look like he's not offering much but the goals and assists tell a different story
Stoke was disappointing but it was a game we could have easily won on another day
Yes I feel Dozzell has had games where the opposition's style of play or just his own performance have warranted him being taken off or not starting, but I still feel he is an integral part of the senior squad. Really going to be surprised if he does go out on loan in January.
Last Edit: Dec 12, 2021 17:10:18 GMT by kingfisher