Not for the first time, a section of Newcastle United supporters have become frustrated with the club’s most talented player. Allan Saint-Maximin was public enemy number one on social media after he gave the ball away in the 99th minute against Everton. A mistake that, ultimately, led to the Toffees snatching a last-gasp winner.
A notable shift in sentiment towards the Magpies maverick has taken place this season. Despite having the most goal contributions for Newcastle, with five goals and three assists, a vocal minority have started to turn on the Frenchman. He has achieved more successful dribbles (111) than any other player in the Premier League this year, lightyears ahead of second-place Dwight McNeil (68).
Callum Wilson’s perennial injury woes meant Saint-Maximin was tasked with the unfamiliar role of leading the line for the first third of the campaign. However, bearing the brunt of responsibility for Newcastle’s attack is something the 25-year-old has grown used to since his arrival. In his first two seasons on Tyneside, the Magpies’ win percentage was 41% when Saint-Maximin played - compared to a measly 18.5% without him. The player himself boldly told his Instagram followers on Saturday that ‘people forget quickly’ in the aftermath of recent backlash and, as these figures show, it is hard to disagree.
His ability to produce a moment of genius kept the club ticking over during those turgid Steve Bruce years. It was players like Saint-Maximin who kept young fans tuned in when little else was happening under Mike Ashley to excite the next generation.
The hostilities currently aimed towards him should come as no surprise as we have seen this script before. Newcastle boast a proud history of mercurial French widemen who, when they played, had critics among the fanbase but, once they left, were unanimously revered.
David Ginola, Laurent Robert and Hatem Ben Arfa were fan favourites for most Toon fans but often became scapegoats when results started to turn. The stats may not back Saint-Maximin up when comparing him with the other three, as he ranks third on the list for goals per game and fourth when it comes to assists per game.
Even then, his figures are still remarkable when you consider the team Saint-Maximin is playing in. His Newcastle side have finished, on average, 12.5 in the Premier League, compared to Ginola (2), Robert (6.5) and Ben Arfa (9.3). To put it bluntly, Saint-Maximin currently has Chris Wood as his strike partner whereas the others had Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer or Demba Ba.
The winger turned 25 barely a week ago and is still a while away from reaching his peak years. Eddie Howe has already showcased his excellence on the training field and can no doubt ooze every ounce of talent from Saint-Maximin. A more well-rounded end product, combined with new arrivals that are on his level - and Newcastle could have a world-beater on their hands.
Saint-Maximin's Instagram post was not only a reminder of his self-confidence but also recognition the vocal minority have upset him and he is out to prove them wrong.
Father Time will be kind to the Magpies talisman in the same way it was to his French predecessors. In a few years, when a Saint-Maximin compilation is posted by the club’s media team, expect his critics to be at the front of the queue talking about how much they loved him at Newcastle.
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