Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has slammed Allan Saint-Maximin and claims the forward will be ‘frustrating’ Eddie Howe with his recent below-par performances.
The Magpies’ maverick winger came off the bench against Everton for the final 20 minutes and failed to make an impact as Newcastle conceded in the dying embers of the game. Saint-Maximin was heavily criticised post-match due to losing possession in the build-up to Alex Iwobi’s 99th-minute winner.
A calf strain has ruled the 24-year-old out in recent weeks, with last month’s 1-0 win against Aston Villa the last time he featured in the Magpies’ starting line-up. Howe has eased his star player back into the side from the bench but Saint-Maximin has struggled to replicate his pre-injury form.
Whelan claims the winger needs to have more faith in his teammates if he wants to improve his consistency.
“I always say it’s hard as a substitute to come off the bench,” he told Football Insider.
“Sometimes when you come off the bench and you’re not properly warm, you’ve not got yourself into the game, those touches can be a little bit too heavy.
“Some people adapt to coming off the bench and getting into a game easier than others. I think he’s struggled because he tries to do too much himself at times. He doesn’t need to.
“I think it will frustrate Eddie Howe but you can’t take away his desire. He wants to change the game, he wants to win the game. He tries to do something brilliant on the ball every time he gets it. That’s why he is loved by the fans.”
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