Brisbane Roar’s star midfielder Jay O’Shea hopes the arrival of prolific striker Charlie Austin can add at least 10-15 goals to his side this season, filling a void they’ve struggled with in recent campaigns.
Brisbane’s top scorer in the 2021-22 campaign was Argentinian Juan Lescano (six goals). Lacking a consistent goalscorer has hurt the Roar, says O’Shea, but Austin’s arrival – along with the return of Brisbane’s 2020-21 leading scorer Riku Danzaki – has O’Shea feeling confident his side can improve after finishing 11th last season.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Queensland Champions Cup, which will see Brisbane, Townsville and the Gold Coast play host to a three-game tournament between the Roar and English Premier League outfits Aston Villa and Leeds United, O’Shea outlined the importance of Austin’s arrival as he looks toward an exciting season ahead.
“He’s going to be massive for us,” O’Shea said. “A goalscoring number nine is probably what we’ve been missing the last few years. If he can get 10 or 15 goals, it would be huge for us.”
O’Shea added: “I think we’ve made some really good signings early on, there was a lot of youth in our team last year, probably a bit too much, we didn’t have enough experienced players.
“To get the likes of Riku back who has done really well for us, and Charlie Austin who is a proven Premier League striker, it looks like we’re going in the right direction. It was a poor year for us last year, so things can only get better for us.”
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The Roar will face Leeds on the Gold Coast on July 14, before the latter takes on fellow Premier League side Villa on July 17. Villa and Brisbane will then meet in Townsville on July 20.
Brisbane boss Warren Moon revealed it’s unlikely for Austin to feature against Leeds on Thursday night – but Danzaki is “match fit and game fit” after returning to Brisbane on loan from J1 League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
Should the Roar gain clearance for Danzaki to feature on Thursday night, it’s likely the match ready Japanese forward will feature in some capacity.
Alongside O’Shea, Roar captain Tom Aldred is entering his fourth season at the club. He sees the additional firepower brought to the Roar by Austin and Danzaki as a mood-lifter at the club under pressure to lift its standards after a forgettable 2021-22 campaign.
“Definitely a new mood,” Aldred said. “Optimistic with the signings, with Charlie coming in and Riku coming back, and the main bulk of our squad being fit and available for selection. That’s one thing we didn’t have last year, we had a very young group and with those young players that did play, they’re going to gain from that experience (of) last year.
“We’re positive and we’re excited to make good use of the pre-season with these games, and the (Australia) Cup games, and looking forward to kick on into the new season.”
Austin’s multi-year deal with the Roar preceded Portuguese star Luis Nani’s arrival at Melbourne Victory on Tuesday, July 12; the pair of marquees fit the profile of talent targeted by the APL this off-season.
The marquee duo arrive three months out from the start of the 2022-23 campaign, accommodated by a lengthy pre-season to get fully fit to hit the ground running from the off.
Aldred sees the “huge” signings as a massive boost for the ALM.
“With Charlie, he signed for us which is important. That’s the main thing,” Aldred said.
“Talking about Nani, obviously that’s a big signing but with Charlie he scores goals, we know that. His record speaks for itself. Whenever he’s been, whatever league he’s been in he’s scored plenty of goals. That’s one thing we didn’t do last year, so for us we’re excited and getting fit and firing, it’s good for us.
“Now with people like that coming to the A-League, it’s huge. I come from Manchester, I’m a Manchester United fan so a lot of mates back home are messaging about that one.
“It’s good for the league, it’s positive and it shows football in Australia and the A-Leagues is heading in the right direction.”
Despite providing slim hope of Austin’s debut coming against Leeds on Thursday night, Roar boss Moon gave the Englishman a greater chance of featuring in his side’s clash with Villa in Townsville on July 20. Nani, meanwhile, has put his hand up for Victory selection against English giants Manchester United at the MCG on Friday, July 15.
Together the two marquees and travelling English clubs have provided a spotlight for the ALM to shine. O’Shea hopes to see more of the same after the touring sides depart, and attention turns toward the Australia Cup Round of 32, and the 2022-23 domestic campaign.
“It’s brilliant – and hopefully they can keep getting (those) big names in,” O’Shea said. “The marquee players are massive for our game, to build it – that’s what we need to build it now. It took a big hit with COVID, so the more big-name marquee players we can get to the A-League the better, and hopefully we can get the crowds back in and get the game back to where it was at some stage.”
Featured image credit: Brisbane Roar
Queensland Champions Cup fixtures
Brisbane Roar v Leeds United
Thursday, July 14 2022
CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast
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Aston Villa v Leeds
Sunday, July 17 2022
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
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Brisbane Roar v Aston Villa
Wednesday, July 20 2022
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
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