Newcastle star man Allan Saint-Maximin has been under intense scrutiny due to a perceived recent dip in form. The French star had barely trained in the weeks leading up to the international break, and was limited to substitute roles in the games against Brighton, Chelsea and Everton.
Fans favourite Saint-Maximin was one of the first name on the Newcastle team sheet, having started 22 games before his injury. With only five goals and three assists to his name, some have expected more from the skilful player.
The 25 year-old took to Instagram to responds to criticism of his recent performances. He posted a picture with a caption of “People forget quickly, but I know what to do to restore their memory.” Now former Manchester City and Leeds defender Danny Mills has had his say on Saint-Maximin’s recent struggles.
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He told Football Insider: “He’s that sort of player who is going to be 9.5/10 or 5/10, 6/10. He’s never going to give you that level of performance where you think he’s a 7/10 player week-in, week-out. It’s not him, that’s not how he plays.
“He picks the ball up, runs with the ball, makes things happen and is exciting. All those types of things. One week you will think ‘Wow, sensational’ but then he might be quiet for two or three games.
“The way that wingers play, he’ll be in and out of games. It’s hard to be on the ball all the time when you’re that type of player.”
The Frenchman’s pace and unpredictability means he is still a major part of Eddie Howe’s thinking, with the United head coach hopeful the two-week break will give him the time he needs to recover from recent injuries.
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