QPR’s Charlie Austin Might Equal Safety For Sunderland
Reports are flowing from Sunderland that new manager Sam Allardyce is anxious to bring in reinforcements at striker. QPR front man Charlie Austin is rumored to be at the top of his list. This shrewd piece of business could be just what Sunderland needs to avoid relegation.
8 goals in 9 games isn’t good enough to win many games. That’s just what Sunderland’s attack has managed thus far. It’s not hard to pinpoint the reason they’ve gone winless and currently occupy the bottom spot of the Premier League table.
That’s why new gaffer Sam Allardyce is on the lookout for new attackers. QPR’s Charlie Austin would be a perfect fit. Allardyce has historically favored large, physical strikers and Austin is just that. His touch, skill and work rate could inject life in the moribund Sunderland attack.
Right now, no Sunderland player has more than 2 goals. With all due respect to Jermaine Defoe, they just don’t have a striker capable of leading the line. Defoe was that guy about three seasons ago, but now he’s much better suited to be a poacher off the bench.
Fabio Borini is another option, but he too lacks the physical characteristics that Allardyce craves. He is much better suited to play as a wide attacker or with a more physical striker up top. His form hasn’t been up to par this year, a Whoscored.com rating of just 6.24. He would significantly benefit from playing alongside an established front man like Austin.
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The addition of Austin could also serve to relieve a ton of pressure on Sunderland’s defense. When you are relying on Younes Kaboul to play every week at centre back you can definitely use a pressure release. Yann M’Vila has been a solid addition to shield the back 4, but again, all help would be welcome.
There’s no doubt that Austin would be a boost for Sunderland, but I do question if QPR would sell. Per the Metro, they may be motivated to make a deal or risk losing Austin on a free transfer this summer. Still, you have to believe that QPR harbor hopes of getting back into the Premier League next year and moving Austin would make that task significantly more difficult. QPR would likely make a deal for the right price.
There is also the question of whether or not Austin would want to go to Sunderland. He had an excellent Premier League season last year, and might be reluctant to commit his future to another club threatened with relegation. He surely believes himself a Premier League player and has the history to prove it. Perhaps he can do better than a bottom Premier League club. He could also be a real shot in the arm for a club striving for European football or some larger prize.
Ultimately, Sam Allardyce must do everything he can to bring in an established striker to Sunderland that fits his system. To be sure, they are going to hammer the ball up field and they will need a physical front man to hold up play. Charlie Austin would definitely fit the bill and could be Sunderland’s salvation. Sadly, for Allardyce and Sunderland, he may consider himself above another relegation battle.