New Southampton signing to salvage season
Published:
Southampton have pulled off what will be looked back on as the best bit of business during this January window.
Bringing in Charlie Austin from QPR for £4million is a fantastic signing and bringing in a player of his ability for a small price tag will be a big boost to their season.
The Saints have been inconsistent all season, with a 4-0 win over Arsenal followed by back-to-back defeats at the hands of Norwich City and Crystal Palace.
Now, with an extra experienced Premier League goal getter in their ranks, Ronald Koeman’s men will settle into a rhythm and find their form.
Austin’s first season in the top-flight was a prolific one and he managed to find the net 18 times in the league.
This tally is particularly impressive given the relative poor performances of the rest of the QPR side, with the Rs ending up relegated.
His eye for goal was so strong that he managed to receive an England call-up, despite playing for the team that ended up bottom of the pile.
The 26-year-old has carried on his scoring form this season and has netted ten times in only 12 Championship appearances.
Bringing in Austin will give the Saints a focal point to centre their attacks through, with none of their strikers being particularly prolific this season.
Graziano Pelle is the team’s top scorer with six, while Shane Long has managed five though Pelle is the only out-and-out front man in the squad.
Long, along with Jay Rodriguez and Sadio Mane can play through the middle, but are more useful when operated out wide.
Their new signing will allow Koeman to rotate Pelle or operate in a new system with both front men and this will prove fruitful for the Saints in the rest of the campaign.
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