Former Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer has blasted Allan Saint-Maximin’s performance levels this season. Eddie Howe brought the Frenchman on for the final 20 minutes against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
That was the fifth league game in a row where Saint-Maximin has been asked to make an impact from the bench. A hamstring injury suffered in the 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers - a game he scored a last-minute equaliser in - has frustrated the 25-year-old’s 2022-23 campaign.
That fixture on August 28 remains the last time Saint-Maximin started a Premier League game. Howe has preferred to play Joelinton in a wide-left role since the domestic season resumed in December.
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Having options on the bench is a positive dilemma to have but, for Saint-Maximin, the issue runs much deeper.
The winger was undroppable during the pre-takeover days but now faces an uphill task to regain his place in the starting line-up. Speaking as a pundit for Sky Sports after the game, ex-Magpie Dyer criticised Saint-Maximin for his below-par performances.
“These top teams have a special player that can make the difference,” he said. “They can go by two players. “He’s (Saint-Maximin) out of favour. You can say he’s nowhere near the player he was from last season.
“Maybe that’s a confidence thing. They need to get him firing to make the difference in that final third against teams like that or, we’re in January, and there’s still a few days to go (to sign a difference maker).”
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