Fans of Newcastle United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Steve Bruce provides an update on the club’s winger Allan Saint-Maximin.
The winger played an influential role in Newcastle’s two Premier League fixtures since the resumption of the league – earning a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 8.27 in Newcastle’s 3-0 win over Sheffield United and an equally impressive 8.16 match rating in the Magpies’ 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. Steve Bruce recently commented on how the unexpected break from the season has benefited the former Nice man and he also aired intentions for the player over the club’s upcoming fixtures.
As per the official Newcastle United Twitter account, Bruce said: “The lockdown has done him [Allan Saint-Maximin] good with those niggling hamstrings he had which was always a concern when you rely on your pace like he does. He was extremely tired yesterday [after the Manchester City fixture]. Four games in 11 days, I’m going to use the squad so we’ll see how he is this afternoon.”
In reaction to his comments, fans of Newcastle flocked to have their say on the matter, with many commenting on just how important the 23-year-old is to the side.
If he's rested, I can't see us winning.
That's how important @asaintmaximin is to #NUFC.
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— ????? ?? ??? ???? #NUFC (@ToonMouthTyne) June 30, 2020
In other words: “he’s not starting tomorrow”
— jonny (@jgray2706) June 30, 2020
No maxi tomorrow then?
— ASM,FT (@Allansaintmaxim) June 30, 2020
Since joining Newcastle from Nice for a fee of £16.2 million last summer, Saint-Maximin has made 20 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
However, despite his apparent lack of direct contributions to goals, the winger has averaged an impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.28 over the course of the season – ranking him as Newcastle’s best performer by quite a considerable distance.
Has Saint-Maximin been Newcastle United's player of the season?
Yes
No
As such, it is not surprising to see many of the Newcastle fans calling for Bruce to rest their star-man – considering the vast amount of fixtures they face over the coming weeks.
He should be rested no point risking injury we’re safe also it should give Lazaro decent game time
— Nath D (@NathD92) June 30, 2020
Rest him
— cameron watt (@cameronwatt1892) June 30, 2020
we are unable to win games without him – but we equally can’t risk him getting injured
— Swag maestro (@henry_shez) June 30, 2020
From Bruce’s comments, one certainly gets the impression that he does not intend to start Saint-Maximin for the club’s upcoming fixture against Bournemouth – something which appears to have split the opinion of these Newcastle fans.