Charlie Austin says QPR player should be 'fuming' after Julien Stephan decision | OneFootball

Charlie Austin has criticised Julien Stéphan's selection decision in the 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough

Charlie Austin has criticised QPR manager Julien Stephen for his decision to drop Rumarn Burrell for the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The forward scored twice midweek in the Hoops’ 2-1 victory against Cardiff City, finding the back of the net in each half to play a crucial role in the team securing all three points.

But he was on the bench on Saturday for the home clash against Boro, which saw the visitors come away with victory.

The 25-year-old has contributed two goals and one assist in total from five appearances in the Championship for QPR this season, with the striker coming off the bench in the first half of the loss at Loftus Road at the weekend.

Stéphan instead favoured Richard Kone to lead the line, but he was forced off in the 39th minute with an issue.

Will Lankshear had put Kim Hellberg’s side ahead in the 20th minute, and that proved enough to seal all three points for the Teesside outfit.

Charlie Austin criticises QPR selection against Middlesbrough

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Austin has called Stéphan’s decision to drop Burrell for the clash against Middlesbrough, suggesting that the forward had to stay in the team after his match-winning brace midweek.

The former QPR striker cited a similar example from his time at Southampton, indicating that it could cause issues between Burrell and Stéphan, based on his experience as a player.

“As a centre-forward, you can’t score a brace midweek and then not start four days later,” said Austin, via the Charlie Austin Football Channel podcast.

“How are you meant to get into a rhythm, confidence? It just doesn’t make sense.

“If I scored a brace in midweek, and was told I was on the duty at the weekend, I’m going to be fuming, mate.

“I remember it happened to me once in two different competitions.

“It was Europa League, I scored two for against Sparta Prague for Southampton, and on the Sunday I was on the bench in the Prem.

“I was fuming, I was fuming.

“But then I came on and scored the winner against Swansea and we won 1-0, and I was almost like to Claude Puel that’s two fingers to you.

“But then I got in and I played, it was fine.”

Charlie Austin highlights importance of striker confidence

Austin believes that the rhythm and momentum of staying in the starting lineup will keep his confidence up, which is crucial for a forward to ensure they keep scoring.

“But I just can’t get that mentality,” he continued.

“I get that they want to get Rich Kone in to score goals and progress.

“But Burrell is the man in form, he scored a brace on Wednesday.

“Keep that confidence going.

“When you’re a centre-forward, you thrive off confidence, and it’s nothing better than seeing a ball hit the ball hit the back of the net.

“And he did that Wednesday night twice, and he didn’t get the opportunity to start at the weekend.”

Burrell has a strong first season with QPR last year, contributing 10 goals and three assists from 30 appearances in the Championship.

The 25-year-old was originally part of the Middlesbrough academy system, but never properly broke into the first team squad, making just a couple of cup appearances.

And he was not chosen to start against his former side, but did come off the bench in the first half, yet was unable to make a difference to the team as they lost 1-0 at home.

QPR have made a positive start to the new campaign despite the defeat, with Stéphan’s side earning 10 points from a possible 15, winning three and drawing one.

Next up for the London outfit is a trip to face Charlton Athletic on Wednesday night in an 8pm kick-off.

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Rumarn Burrell decision was strange from Julien Stéphan

Burrell was the key man in the 2-1 win over Cardiff, and it was a surprising and strange decision to drop him to the bench on Saturday.

Stéphan should have kept him in the side in order to maintain his goal scoring momentum, but instead he awkwardly ended up on the pitch before half time due to an injury.

While it’s understandable to want to rotate, and to try to get Kone into the team as well, this was not the right time to make this change, and it ultimately backfired.

This wasn’t the sole reason for QPR’s defeat to Boro, but it is something that could have an adverse impact on his relationship with Burrell going forward, if not handled properly.