I'm in form of my life, says Burnley striker Austin
9:55am Monday 17th September 2012 in Sport
By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter
SHARP shooter Charlie Austin says he feels in the form of his life.
The striker was awarded the second hat-trick of his career – and as a Claret – in Saturday’s 5-2 triumph over Peterborough United.
While Posh remain pointless after five Championship games, Burnley moved out of the bottom three into 15th place.
And they had largely Austin to thank in ending a run of three straight defeats.
The 23-year-old’s treble took his tally for the season to seven in league and cup – averaging a goal a game – and he admitted: “I’m feeling confident – I’m a confident lad anyway.
“But I worked hard over the summer and through pre-season – I still am – and I feel fitter too.
“If I get the chances I back myself to score be it a header or on the floor – anything.
“If the lads create the chances, as a striker you thrive off chances and I like to say anything that comes into the box I’d give myself half a chance to score.
“I’m really pleased (with seven goals this season).
“When you’re in form with goals you get more chances and at the moment I’m putting them away.”
And Austin insisted there should be no debate about his hat-trick, even though defender Michael Bostwick got the final touch to his first.
In the absence of a ‘dubious goals panel’ outside of the Premier League, the decision is left with the clubs, and both were happy to give the goal to Austin.
“The referee gave me the ball and said it was a hat-trick, and that’s what’s going to be in his report,” said the striker, who was twice set up by Chris McCann before earning then converting the penalty.
“That’s two hat-tricks now.
“The first was away to Portsmouth as a second-half sub and now this.
“It’s nice to get one in front of the fans.”
And Austin hopes the Clarets faithful are a bit more optimistic now, after Eddie Howe’s men picked up their first points since the opening day win over Bolton.
“After the Brighton game everyone was doom and gloom and, ‘What’s next for Burnley Football Club?’.
“It was silly to be honest. You’ve just got to look at Reading and where they were (at this stage) last season – they are the best example, and we came back and put a performance in,” said Austin, noting the Royals. late push for the title after a poor start.
“Peterborough hadn’t picked up any points, we needed the three points ourselves to push us up the league.
“Obviously fans want to win every game don’t they, just like the players.
“When it doesn’t go right for us they get frustrated. We need to do what we can to win games.
“Unfortunately in the last few games before Saturday we were below par, but we then showed the quality we’ve got.
“It’s a massive win.”
