Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin has insisted he needs to do more, as the Magpies struggle to pick up points in the Premier League.
The Frenchman enjoyed a positive start to 2021/22 on a personal note.
In the first six Premier League games he scored two goals and made three assists.
Since the game against Tottenham Hotspur though, Saint-Maximin has been unable to make much of an impact for the Magpies.
It is a real struggle right now for Newcastle.
And some very tough games are coming up, meaning the threat of relegation next year could be very real.
The owners are still searching for a new manager, and supporters are beginning to clamour for a decision.
Speaking about Newcastle’s season so far and his own contributions, Saint-Maximin said: “It’s not sufficient. It’s not enough because I say it again, I know very well that with my qualities, I have to do more.
“I know if I can be more decisive, with everything going on at Newcastle, I know when things are different, that I will be even more so. Again, it’s a mentality, a state of mind and I have to keep that state of mind there.”
Saint-Maximin improvement needed
Saint-Maximin should be commended for his honesty here.
He has been a little off the pace lately. Alarmingly, he didn’t complete one dribble against Crystal Palace. But he can be forgiven for that given what he did in the earlier games.
He can also be forgiven, as he is playing with some players that are simply far below his level of quality.
Hopefully a new man at the helm is imminent, and he can light a new fire beneath Saint-Maximin.
Newcastle are heading for trouble as things stand, and need their 24-year-old talisman more than ever right now.
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