The signing of Charlie Austin this summer was, at the time, seen as a massive coup for West Brom and a sign of intent from the Championship side aiming to end their stay in the English second division.
A proven Premier League striker as well as an entertaining figure off the pitch, Austin’s arrival at the Hawthorns was seen as a big indicator that Slaven Bilic was keen on getting West Brom put of the Championship as quickly as possible, and yet, the former Southampton striker has been oddly quiet.
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As stats from Transfermarkt show, the 30-year-old striker has only managed five goals in 14 Championship appearances for the Baggies, with Austin now finding himself starting on the bench for most games for West Brom since the club’s 2-0 win against Stoke City, but it is from here is where the former QPR star is starting to find his place in the squad.
Since being left on the bench against Hull City, Austin has come on and scored in his past three games for West Brom, two of which were strikes which sealed wins for the Baggies and thus earning Bilic’s side four points to keep pace with Leeds United at the top of the Championship.
Austin might have lost his starting place for now to Hal Robson-Kanu, but the 30-year-old striker’s role as a super-sub could be what Bilic sees from the former Premier League striker heading into the festive period and New Year with West Brom.
Having a striker to call upon from the bench to make an impact in the attack and score the winning goals is a trait few attackers possess, and for Austin, he will seemingly be used for this newfound ability by Bilic, something which is making the former Southampton man a now priceless signing for West Brom.