Brisbane Roar striker Charlie Austin has had to bide his time to open his A-League Men’s account, but now that he’s off the mark skipper Tom Aldred expects the goals to flow.
The former English Premier League striker scored in the 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers last week and the 33-year-old will be aiming for more of the same at home to Melbourne Victory in Round 4 on Saturday.
“Confidence is key in all footballers but especially strikers. They rely on scoring goals and when they do, they will score more,” Aldred said.
“Charlie has been desperate to get that first goal and to get it in round three is great.
“Charlie is a goalscorer. We all know that. He has scored goals wherever he has been. To get him off the mark, obviously he will get confidence from that.
“His all-round play was good and we are just looking forward to getting him in front of goal as often as we can because when we do we know he will take the chances.”
With Matthew Spiranovic (foot) still a week-by-week proposition, Portuguese centre-back Roderick Miranda appears likely to tussle with the Roar goalscorer.
“I’m sure they’ll come into contact quite a bit,” Victory head coach Tony Popovic told reporters ahead of the Isuzu UTE A-League showdown at Moreton Daily Stadium.
“We don’t necessarily have man markers on the field but I’m sure if he’s in his area than they’ll connect a few times.”
NEDS WEEKEND PREVIEW: YORKE’S REUNION, NANI V AUSTIN’S MARQUEE BATTLE
Either Miranda or Leigh Broxham will wear Victory’s armband, with skipper Josh Brillante suspended for one match after being sent off in the Melbourne derby.
Nathan Konstandopoulos, Broxham and Jay Barnett shape as midfield options.
“We know (Brillante) gives us a lot of stability in there, a lot of running power getting forward; he makes late runs into the box,” Popovic said.
“So we don’t have another replica of Josh Brillante. We’ve got other options with different attributes and we’ll have to adjust accordingly.”
THE PLAYERS POD: CHAPMAN, JAMIESON AND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE A-LEAGUES ALL ACCESS RANT
Meanwhile, the Roar defence will have their hands full with Portuguese legend Nani.
“I am a Man United fan so I watched those games where Nani was doing well and United won the Champions League (in 2007-08). Obviously he is a top player,” Aldred said.
“It is great to have him in the A-League. It is good to pit your wits against the best and it will be good for us and for some of our players going man-for-man with him.”
