Yes it's an interesting comparison. Austin scoring rate was much better than Beattie's barring 1 season. When we signed Beattie he had only 1 season where he got 15+ league goals. Austin has scored more than 15 goals in 5 of his last 6 season. However this is including League 1 (for one season) and the championship (for 4 seasons).
Having watched them both I am more optimistic about Austin than I ever felt about Beattie. I'm not sure if thats just down to ability, I just think Austin suits our style a bit more than what Beattie did at the time. Beattie was a big poacher type playing for a side as a loan striker who needed a striker to work tirelessly into the channels. It was a bad fit.
Austin feels like a good fit. He's a big lad who will score more "scruffy" goals than Lukaku. He will also help us defending and attacking set plays. Finally he will do a lot of things that Lukaku finds difficult, holding the ball up, bringing others into play and occupying the centre halves.
I think people have to get out of the mindset that we are definitely playing 4-2-3-1. I suspect we will play 4-3-3 more this season, at times with 3 central midfielders who are defense minded. That will allow for 3 attacking players. Austin can play centrally and potentially give Lukaku more of a free reign to run in behind fullbacks and not get bogged down with two oil centre halves bullying him.
When push comes to shove we need a boost. I think Austin is a better around player and goal scorer than Beattie and I think will help Lukaku. We all know we need a number 10. At present those players may not be available. If Stones goes, we may need to wait a year or so to finally fill the position and muster through for another season with Osman.
Some interesting points. The 2 key points are:
A-- Lukaku / Austin could play together but i think he will use them on rotation to ensure theres a maximum chance one of them is on form at any time. Then alternate during games and of course have another option to go 2 up top which is something hes been slated for with having no plan 'B'.
B-- 4-3-3 i can see why you'd suggest 3 defensive minded midfielders especially with Martinez commenting ages ago that he would want wingers to stay up the pitch even when were defending...however the fact he mentions a playmaker + has Cleverley signed and Barkley also there i think he will have 1 defensive mid (McCarthy/Besic) 1 centre mid (Cleverley/Barkley) and one playmaker...
The most exciting thing for me is seeing that if he makes the right 3 signings who fit with the ages of the main core we have 19-26 years old then the squad is only a keeper and a winger away (signed next summer) from having 2 top players in each position.
I keep saying the same thing but next summer we lose 5 players and bringing in people now will give them the benefit of utilizing the experience of some of the players leaving next year before they go and also give them at least some additional competition for places for a year...
