Allan Saint-Maximin believes increased attention from Premier League defenders has contributed to his dip in form at Newcastle United. The Magpies' talisman has already registered his best goal return in black-and-white this season, but has struggled with his own consistency in recent weeks.
Saint-Maximin recently took to social media to address his critics, insisting 'people forget quickly'. The forward has regularly been one of Newcastle's most impressive performers since his arrival from Nice in the summer of 2019.
Injury and illness saw Saint-Maximin drop out of the starting eleven for five matches from February, and the 25-year-old has not registered a goal or assist since January. Recent reports suggested Newcastle would be open to a sale this summer, a rumour which Eddie Howe has since emphatically denied.
When asked about his 'bad luck' and his recent lack of goals and assists, Saint-Maximin told NUFC TV: "Teams start to know me, so they always put two or three players or even more on me. If they do that, it's because they know the way I play and it's good for my team.
"Even if I didn't get man of the match, I don't care if this can be good for my partners. There is more space for Bruno [Guimaraes], more space for Miggy [Almiron], Jonjo [Shelvey] so I'm happy for that.
"If I can be important... to put some players on me to try to do the best things I can for the team and if the win comes, that's the most important thing for me."
Saint-Maximin made his fourth consecutive start on Wednesday night in the narrow home victory over Crystal Palace. Miguel Almiron scored the only goal of the game and ended his lengthy drought, and Saint-Maximin was one of the first on the scene to join in the celebrations.
Newcastle's number 10 added: "The celebration was more for Miggy because I was so happy for him. I know he was unlucky in many games, and maybe people don't know that because they just look at it if he scores or not, or if he makes an assist or not.
"But the work he gives for the team, and the great shots he's had many times, many times he's been unlucky. So to see him score this incredible and important goal was really good. I'm really happy for him."
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
