Austin Hits Hat Trick In Closed Doors Friendly
Thursday, 9th Nov 2017 21:25

Charlie Austin did his chances of a place back in the starting line up no harm as he netted a hat trick in a friendly at Staplewood.

Saints put out a strong team to face Championship side Fulham in a friendly against Fulham at Staplewood this afternoon with Charlie Austin leading the way in a 5-1 win.

Oriol Romeu started the goal rout in the first minute to set the tone and then a couple from Charlie Austin in the space of a couple of minutes gave Saints a commanding lead with barely 25 minutes on the clock.

Pierre Emile Hojbjerg made it four just before the break and Austin completed the scoring in the second half with Ibrahima Cisse getting the consolation for Fulham.

Saints lined up

Taylor; Pied, Stephens, Gardos (Bakary 69’), Targett; Romeu (Obafemi 69’), McQueen; Ward-Prowse, HÃ¸jbjerg, Redmond; Austin.

Strangely no place for Alex McCarthy who you would have thought would have played if Maurcio Pellegrino was planning on dropping Fraser Forster.

Although this was only a friendly, several players seemed to see it as a good chance to impress the manager, not least Charlie Austin and Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, the latter not only assisting Romeu for the first goal but scoring himself.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

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underweststand added 22:01 - Nov 9

What do we say? ...only a friendly played at half pace against a poor Championship side.
OK ...but Hojbjerg and Austin really deserve a run in the first team and would have given Pellegrino something to think about. The fact remains that for the most part, MP seems to have chosen his " ideal " start side, and only changes a few names on the bench each game to try and convince everyone that they're good enough for a sub. appearance.

IF Chas and Emile..and even JWP are to get a starting place and make an impression, then a game at Anfield is the ideal opportunity.
However, in truth , he may treat this for exactly what it was ..a friendly kickabout against lower League opposition. I'd like to think he'd give them a chance, but my head says, he'll play a virtually unchanged side - except perhaps resting Yoshida again (who will have played 2 internationals), and maybe give Hoedt another runout.

I think even Claude Puel might consider some major changes - given our recent results.

mattlegod added 09:50 - Nov 10 Pair him up front with Gabiadini or play him just behind.. PLEASE!!!!!!!
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kenis added 10:33 - Nov 10

When koeman was in a poor run he switched to 3-5-2 (or 5-3-2 depending how you look at it) and itâ€™s time for us to do the same with Gabbiadini and Austin up front ahead of our upcoming run of fixtures. The modfield three need to work hard and be the water carriers so Iâ€™d start with Lemina, Romeu and Davis and expect the full backs, Lemina and Davis to create the chances rather than play one of Boufal/Tadic/Redmond behind the top two. But Iâ€™d be looking for one of those three to be coming on and sacrificing Romeu if we are coping/holding up at the back when Soares and Bertrand are caught forward. Itâ€™s tempting to play long at Anfield as there should be space when Liverpool are pressed forward but unless we follow some of big sams survival rules (like play first pass forward) canâ€™t see him having much service.