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.
