Allan Saint-Maximin needs to consistently play at a 'high level' if he is to keep his place in Eddie Howe's regeneration of Newcastle United. That is the view of Warren Barton, who also believes the head coach's positive changes could bring the 'best' out of fellow attacker Miguel Almiron.
Almiron and Saint-Maximin both impressed as the Magpies produced a dominant display in their opening-day victory over Nottingham Forest. Debutant Nick Pope did not face a single shot on target as goals from Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson sealed a comfortable two-goal victory for the hosts.
However, while Newcastle controlled the contest throughout, Howe's side struggled to create the clear-cut openings which their play deserved. It took a long-range thunderbolt from Schar to break the deadlock close to the hour-mark, while Wilson converted the only half-chance created for him.
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It was a pleasing win which also highlighted Newcastle's ongoing need for attacking reinforcements, with Howe understood to be keen to land two further signings ahead of the close of the window. Almiron and Saint-Maximin delivered encouraging hard-working displays, yet both struggled to fashion openings against a Forest backline which sat deep.
In the case of Newcastle's number 10, Barton believes the question mark hovering over the 25-year-old remains his consistency. Saint-Maximin enjoyed his best return in a black-and-white shirt to date last term with five goals and five assists, but the forward has been warned he is no longer a guaranteed starter as United continue to improve under Howe.
Barton told ChronicleLive: "If I was Eddie, I'd say to Saint-Maximin that he hasn't got a divine right to play. You've got to play at a high level. If not, we'll play someone else there.
"You want healthy competition. We know how good Saint-Maximin is and we love him, but for me he's got to be more consistent. He's got to do it over the course of 30-odd games, that'd be my warning to him. You're our main man, our number 10, but you've got to do it week in, week out."
Almiron began the summer as one of several first-team stars tipped to depart, with the Paraguay playmaker entering the final two years of his contract. However, the former Atlanta United star finished pre-season as Newcastle's top scorer, most notably netting a brace in the Eusebio Cup defeat to Benfica.
Almiron struggled to earn a starting spot following Howe's appointment in November, with both Ryan Fraser and Jacob Murphy being given the nod at times ahead of the 28-year-old. Barton feels though that as the Magpies develop into a front-foot side, the club could be about to see the best from their former record signing.
The Fox Sports pundit said: "I've always been a big fan of him. He took time adjusting to the Premier League, and he's been playing in a team that is trying to defend 50 yards away from goal.
"He was looking like he was leaving and his agent was talking about getting him out of there. But when we needed him, Eddie somehow had him ready mentally and physically to play. That comes down to Miggy, his attitude is good and he always plays with a smile on his face.
"He realises if he leaves, it is a step down because this club is going places. He's played in a team that has struggled and has had a taste of what it could be like next season.
"Now he's being allowed to maybe express himself and be a bit more on the front foot and work harder in the final third, rather than defending in our third and having 60 yards to get to goal. You're maybe seeing the best of him. He will have ups and downs, but he has caught my eye."
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