Chris Waugh has been speaking on the latest edition of The Athletic’s Pod On The Tyne about all things relating to Newcastle United.
One of the topics that he spent a bit of time on was the form of Allan Saint-Maximin, who was set to be dropped for the match against Crystal Palace before picking up an injury.
One problem that the 23-year-old seems to have had in recent weeks is the new role in the team that he is playing.
Last season Saint-Maximin in the Premier League played mainly on the left and popped up with three goals and two assists from that position.
However, this season he has played in the centre, and to some, that has impacted his performances, and it seems as if, according to Waugh, he asked to play in that position.
He said: “He hasn’t been influencing matches as everyone knows that he can.
“There’s been a lot of talk; is that to do with his position? Possibly it was. He was being played in this 5-3-1-1 formation, and he was essentially played as a number ten.
“He did actually ask to play and was keen to play in that position as well, and he really wasn’t materially affecting matches, and I think there was just sort of the mood within the club that maybe it was time to take him out of the team.”
Do you think Saint-Maximin needs to go back to the wing?
Yes, this is where we get the best from him
No, he should stay where he is
TIF Thoughts on Saint-Maximin and his positioning…
The Frenchman has mentioned in the past that he prefers to play as a number ten, but it is fair to say that in that role, he has failed to be as effective as he was on the left last season.
The Toon’s game against Aston Villa has been postponed, so he has a bit more time to recover from his injury, and then we would like to see Saint-Maximin back on the left for Newcastle’s match against West Bromwich Albion, where he can hopefully cause some problems for the Baggies.