A lot of Newcastle United fans have flocked to a post from their club, which has relayed comments made by Steve Bruce on Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Toon boss, speaking after his side were beaten 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion, claimed that the Frenchman ‘never really recovered‘ from an early incident that left him with a knock on his ankle and that ‘in hindsight‘ he should have taken Saint-Maximin off earlier.
He went on to confirm that the Toon would ‘see how he is‘, suggesting he didn’t know how bad Saint-Maximin’s injury is.
This post has drawn the attention of many Newcastle fans, who are not happy.
Do you think Bruce should have taken off Saint-Maximin earlier?
Yes, it was clear he wasn't right
No, he made the right choice
Keeps making the same mistakes over and over and over. He will never change.
— FedUpWithBrick (@Axcrazy1) September 20, 2020
He never looked right at all so why was he playing?
— Evan Kiropoulos (@evan_kiropoulos) September 20, 2020
If you don’t have the ability to recognise when to take an injured player off after 20 years of management, then you probably never will.#NUFC
— Mouth of the Tyne (@ToonMouthTyne) September 20, 2020
Doesn’t he say, ‘In hindsight I should’ve done this, that, the other’ quite a lot? Shows how absolutely clueless he is
— Stagnating NUFC (@StagnatingNUFC) September 20, 2020
Saint-Maximin went down injured earlier in the week during the Toon’s clash with Blackburn Rovers, but Bruce said the 23-year-old was fine and stuck him in from the start against the Seagulls.
It was a nightmare performance from Saint-Maximin as he gave away a penalty very early in the game when he fouled Tariq Lamptey (0:05), and then Jeff Hendrick was moved to the left to provide more cover for Jamal Lewis because the Frenchman wasn’t helping.
Bruce then brought Saint-Maximin off in the 33rd minute for Ryan Fraser, appearing to be down to an injury.
This post continued to draw the attention of angry Toon fans.
Bruce out!!!
— Alan B NUFC (@BROWEA) September 20, 2020
Bruce just leave please aye I’ll pack your bags
— Josh Spence (@JoshSpency24) September 20, 2020
Definition of insanity
— Phyll Perrins (@ThePhyll13) September 20, 2020
He hasnt got a clue
— Jack (@TitanWarrior22) September 20, 2020
Hopefully, for the sake of Newcastle, Saint-Maximin is fine, but it does seem odd that Bruce did not take him off sooner if he was struggling with an injury.
The whole afternoon was one to forget for Newcastle, as they were dominated by Graham Potter’s side, who scored three but they could have scored more, in truth.
It will be interesting to see how bad Saint-Maximin’s injury is but hopefully, for the sake of the Toon supporters, he will not be out long.