A number of Newcastle United fans have agreed with Alan Shearer after he suggested that Allan Saint-Maximin has not been at his best for the Magpies over the last few weeks.
The Magpies pulled off a coup by agreeing a new six-year deal with Saint-Maximin a few weeks ago, with the forward having got off to a promising start to the campaign scoring one goal and providing one assist in his opening three games of the season for Steve Bruce’s side.
However, since then the 23-year-old’s form has dropped off somewhat with the forward yet to register another goal or an assist and his average numbers have also suffered with him averaging just 0.8 shots and 0.9 key passes per game (Sofascore). That is a drop off from last season’s average of 1.2 shots and 1.3 key passes per ninety minutes in the Premier League.
Against Chelsea on Saturday, Saint-Maximin had just one attempt on goal and made just one key pass, whilst he lost possession on 13 occasions during the 74 minutes he was on the field (Sofascore). Shearer took fire at the forward after the 2-0 loss and suggested that he “hasn’t broken sweat” since he agreed the new contract.
Newcastle fans react to Shearer’s comments on Saint-Maximin
Many Newcastle fans also feel that Saint-Maximin’s effort and quality has dropped in recent weeks, with one Magpies supporter insisting that the 23-year-old’s inconsistency is why he would not make it a Champions League club. Another fan flatly described the Frenchman’s form as “absolutely terrible”.
To be fair he hasn’t broke a sweat since he signed his new contract. There is a reason he isn’t at a champions league club. Maybe we are finding that out now
— Martin Johnson (@MartinJohnson10) November 21, 2020
Thank god sir Alan said this about ASM I’ve been saying it for ages. The guy hasn’t done anything since he got his new contract. He’s been absolutely terrible. People need to take the blinkers off about him. People compared him to ginola! Don’t mention him In the same breath.
— ??PAUL OXLEY?? (@paulnufc1892) November 22, 2020
Our tactic is awful but shearer is right, ASM motivation change as soon as he signed a new contract. Does not look the same player
— syed abd rahman (@manmaldini) November 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/davidmnufc/status/1330406951281418241?s=19
Can’t disagree on ASM since the contract. It seems to have coincided with a down turn in performance & application.
— MacItSo (@MacItSo) November 21, 2020
Agree but I actually thought he ran a lot in our last game, he helped Wilson in high press, he is like ben arfa, cant defend but how many times does he get the ball? He cant do magic every time.linton was our worst player
— Kenneth Wilson (@Toonern) November 21, 2020
Need to look at longstaff for not breaking a sweat. So many times I just jogs back. See his pathetic attempt to stop werner for 2nd goal? ASM's game is all about enjoyment, getting forward. He must be so bored and frustrated he should be further forward not 11 behind the ball!
— NUFC1892 (@18toon92) November 21, 2020
