Southampton fans gave mixed reactions on social media to a player’s birthday.
The official club Twitter page posted a message wishing Charlie Austin a happy 30th birthday, but some supporters were not in the mood to join in with the celebrations.
Although a few fans did send the striker their best wishes, others used the opportunity to voice their views on him being at the club.
Some of the hostility could possibly be attributed to his performances last season, as he only scored two league goals in 25 matches.
The forward’s numbers have fallen at St Mary’s when compared to his goal tally at other clubs; at QPR he netted 47 in 89 games, at Burnley he scored 44 in 90 matches and at Swindon he achieved 37 in 63. Whilst at Saints he has managed 20 in 81 appearances.
Austin has been linked with a move away from the club with The Sun claiming he is wanted by Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Fulham, and West Brom, while The Birmingham Mail suggest he may join Sheffield United.
Some fans took to Twitter to congratulate him on the milestone birthday whilst others expressed their views on where they see his future.
Happy 3️⃣0️⃣th birthday, @chazaustin10! ???? #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/Pq1VNkl4Ra
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 5, 2019
“Happy birthday, now please find another club and remove yourself from our wage bill”
— Jon Chalk (@Jon_Chalk1) July 5, 2019
Cheerio ????????
— MH25 ???????????????????????????? (@Matty_Homer) July 5, 2019
Bye bye
— matt deane (@mattdeane3) July 5, 2019
Happy birthday charlie but please go 🙂
— Matt Walcott (@MattWalcott07) July 5, 2019
And as a birthday gift, he is bought by Sheffield
— tøby (@sfctoby) July 5, 2019
Embarrassing fans. He is still. #saintsfc player, and could be next season and I will support anyone whose wearing the shirt. Happy birthday. Have a good one ???? ????⚪️????
— Nick Carr (@carrn1982) July 5, 2019
Happy birthday dude
— Sas D (@Bird44point5) July 5, 2019