CHARLIE AUSTIN?

Found on another website......

It has been clear all season that for what ever reason, Rickie Lambert is just not going to produce the goods, thus far at least. Many are saying to stick with him and that all strikers go through this lean spell, but let’s be honest, this is much more than just a lean spell. Clearly something is awry.

Is Charlie Austin on his way to SMS? Saints are one of four clubs I have seen strongly linked to retaining his services in the last 24 hours with near neighbors Portsmouth being another, along with their Championship counterparts and rivals, QPR and Burnley. Why would he come to another League 1 side with those options?

I would have thought first and foremost no competition. If indeed QPR are in the running for his signature before the 5pm deadline today, then why on earth would he pick another league one side over a promotion to premier league chasing side? But we have seen this many times and truth is many factors can swing player’s minds.

Firstly, is Charlie Austin a premier league player in his own mind or in that of others? I suspect not. Being that QPR look strong to go up right now, he may feel this is not a great move, to play half a season, then be a squad player for the rest of his life at best. In all likelihood he would end up out on loan next season if QPR went up. I can’t see why he would want to do that.

Burnley and Pompey offer little more than perhaps the chance to try a harder league for a few months before he can get the same experience by joining us. Indeed I am certain he will be only too aware of all the problems down at FP and probably would want to steer well clear if he has any sense. Burnley, I know little of them, but will he want to up root his family all that way up north or hand around where he is?

Many things in our favour on this one I think, not least the glory of experiencing promotion, becoming an SMS legend in the doing so, and of course the pounds and pence we can pay him, being really cynical. Roll on 5pm to see where he may go?

5pm's been and gone and, unless there is an announcement from the club later, no-one has come in and no-one has left. A bit disappointing if no-one's come in.

Haven't seen anything about a Charlie Austin loan to anywhere being finalised so perhaps he is staying put.

I would think so.

DCJ, what do you think of Josh McQuoid leaving? You must be gutted, especially in view of your transfer embargo remaining in place while the Skates merrily go on their cheating way, and you have every right to be pissed off.

Disappointing not to have brought anyone in and lack of cover up front is a worry. Appreciate supposedly only a months loan but we have 8 league games between now and 8 January and one injury to a striker (and Connolly seems to struggle playing 2 games in a row) and we will struggle. Austin is a good goal scorer but think he is similar to Barnard.

Good luck to Millwall who have shown some commitment to get McCoid, bad news is was hoping they would sign Puncheon!!

Disappointing for Bournemouth but wouldn't be surprised if Howe doesn't find someone else as he seems to have an eye for talent

I have just seen this:

04 Jan 2011 21:00:19
Southampton have bid for Charlie Austin as they look to boost their striking options the bid is believed to be:
£1.3m upfront
£100,000 when 10 goals scored in his Southampton career
£250,000 when promotion is sealed
20% sell on clause

Interesting but if genuine think are paying over the odds at that price. Would rather give that as bonus to Lallana and Chamberlain to stay!

05 Jan 2011 22:22:33
Ambitious Southampton have simply inquired about Charlie Austin. . Swindon are unwilling to sell to a League 1 rival but after Southampton left a 'Name your price' offer Swindon are considering it

07 Jan 2011 10:37:49
Charlie might not happen as Saints gave Swindon a offer of 1.5mil and DC but swindon want more money and saints don't like to be held ranson so the offer stands and Reading is now the 1st pick.

Well if they did offer £1.5m and DC think a good offer and if not good enough then we look elsewhere. Dont suppose Austin will be overly happy bearing in mind how much they paid for him originally.

11 Jan 2011 23:36:48
Charlie austin to sign for Southampton for £1.3. Other clubs losing interest fast

SaintMike wrote:11 Jan 2011 23:36:48
Charlie austin to sign for Southampton for £1.3. Other clubs losing interest fast

£1.30? Deal of the century. ;-)

Seriously, he'd be a good signing if we do get him.

Austin has a good goalscoring record but I think that is too much.Also he supposedly has a bit of an ego and would certainly not walk straight into the team here, which could be a recipe for disaster considering how we seem to have a superb team spirit at the moment.

Have heard he has a bit of an ego, that said he is a big fish at Swindon with his goals but not the case if he comes here. Plus NA is proving himself a good manager of players and wont stand for any nonsense, sure that is why Puncheon went to Millwall.

I would like to see another striker but with Lambert/Guly/Barnard hitting form if we need Austin or go for someone who can develop.

"17 Jan 2011 19:44:47
Charlie Austin has just said on Twitter that he is not joining Southampton and that he would only move to a club in a higher division.
I've heard Leeds, Wigan and possibly Fulham are lining up bids. £1.5 million should do it, with £13,000 a week enough to entise him away from Swindon."

"Southampton will look elsewhere for a striker after having three bids turned down by Swindon.
The first bid being £1, 200,000, Second was £1, 500,000 and a third and final bid that got turned down was £1, 800,000 yesterday."

Trouble is, Swindon know Saints have a lot of money available to spend so they are going to refuse bids in the hope we'd offer silly money for him. However if, as has been reported, Austin wants a move to a club in a higher league then he won't want to come here.

Think the issue is Austin wants a higher league club now and there are Championship clubs willing to sign him, sure he will end up at Burnley

matty07uk wrote:Think the issue is Austin wants a higher league club now and there are Championship clubs willing to sign him, sure he will end up at Burnley

There are rumours, nothing substantial, that Austin will go to Norwich with Norwich's Chris Martin coming here. It's probably all b.s. though, like nearly all rumours are.

"23 Jan 2011 22:33:08
Charlie Austin to have medical at Southampton on monday morning ahead of a £2m move to The Saints."

"26 Jan 2011 00:09:52
ok, this is what i've heard, very rarely post, only do, when very good info.
Charlie Austins preference, is Southampton. No chance of going to Burnley etc, does not want to move up North.
Only problem holding up deal. is Charlies after match activities? This has worried southampton hence why they are now sounding out Peterboro striker. If they can get deal sorted, Austin is first choice. If not done by Thursday, deal dead. Honest truth, like I said, very concrete source."

Well thanks Saint Mike, we need another player with "after match activities" and as such I would prefer either Martin from Norwich or CMS from Pboro. Look forward to seeing some news tomorrow!!

What sort of 'after-match activities'? Is it the rumour on SWeb that alleges he's a one-man overpopulation machine with 5 kids by 5 women? While I detest that sort of behaviour, as long as it doesn't affect his match performances then it shouldn't be much for the club to worry about.

I would be more concerned that 5 kids with 5 women suggests out clubbing a lot and it is the drink not sex which would concern me.

Could be academic anyhow. Swindon have said Blackpool have made an offer "that's getting fairly close". Would suggest Blackpool wont have to offer much more and deal will be done and cant blame Austin for a chance at premiership this season, might be his only shot.

Nostromo re the 'one-man over population machine' - sounds like Shane Warne to me.