striker

Sometimes players don't fit systems. I don't think either Austin or Gallagher fit what Ralphy is looking for. He much prefers a player like Redmond or Obe up front. Other systems prefer bigger, more physical, "traditional" type strikers. Thats I think why Austin wants out. He knows that he, or Gallagher for that matter, will only ever be the "70 minute sub when they are down or tied and need a goal" guy, not the starter.

Agree with all of this. Some continue to include his 2 time off due to injuries into his goals. Yes he got hurt for 1/2 of 2 different seasons, however when he plays can be a 10-15 PL scorer. You can't ding him for being injured. He had some very good streaks for Puel and MP. As you state, he doesn't fit what Ralph wants to do (like Gabbi). Both will be good players for squads with different approaches. Best to let him go and move on, again much like Gabbi.

RH has stated that outside of the top 15 or 18 players, he wants the squad to be youngsters who he can grow. So if Austin has fallen to 3rd or 4th selection behind Ings, Redmond, Long/Obafemi, then its very consistent to prefer Gallagher over Austin. In the high pressing style I'm not sure either player will every routinely feature. Having said that, the guy has shown he can consistently score in he PL. In a different system he could really help someone: 34 goals in 97 PL matches, 16 goals in 62 all matches he appeared in with the Saints. Also out of those 62, he started 31, so in half of the matches he only got limited time. Taking this into consideration, with the Saints (and in the PL) he averaged just about 1/2 goal every 90 minute match. Obviously this number goes up when you consider his time in lower division. These are still higher than anyone we have

Also this would explain him not being in the side last match

Austin is more mobile than this website gives him credit for. Under a different system, one with less high pressing and more ball control/crossing, he can be very effective. We've seen that here, and we've seen that when he was at QPR.

Hudds and Fulham are going down. Love to get Sessegnon after the season.

7 pts in our last 3 matches, where we played Chelsea, Leicester, and Everton. All top 10 squads. What a turnaround.

Am I the only one who is nervous with him out there. He's very raw and seems a little out of control sometimes. Players learn composure over time. I know may don't like Cedric here, but I like him over Valery right now.

Thought we were solid all around. Still prefer Cedric outside over either Valery or Targett, but outside we played really well. If we play like that over the next 3 matches we will be well outside the drop zone.

Liverpool back up 3-2

Our favorite 2-0 lead with 20 minutes to play. We are so good at this

Nice shot by the Everton defender, should be a strker

Next 4 matches are huge for our season

Well that was a little embarrassing. Blowing a 2 goal lead at home in the last 15 minutes, and losing on penalties.

You mean if it goes to 11

MoEly really isn't that good.

Lets not get carried away. Long is Long, and has a purpose in games that need what he does. Him an Austin are one dimension players now at the PL level (maybe they used to be more). Long did what he does, he ran around mostly aimlessly creating a nuisance. In this game he got dragged down causing a penalty (and interesting to note the Ralph didn't even trust him with the penalty kick), and put a shot into the box the was really going to be more of a cross and got lucky. I like Long, but lets not turn this into him being a striker that we can depend on to actually score regularly. His value at this level, at this time, is as a nuisance who can hopefully force defenders into an occasional mistake.

Skyrocket up to 16th

Unbelievable. I kept waiting for the cheap late goal to do us in

I can't believe we held them. Last season that was a 3-2 loss

Slattery, interesting. Would have picked Sims myself.

and here w go

Shot was going to be more like a cross, but the goalie stuck up his hand and deflected it in the net

I know some of you like Valery, but I'd much rather have Cedric out there. Bertran for Targett too (when he is ready). I think the wings are the weakest position we have right now.

Ha, the goalie knocked it in