Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown has claimed that keeping Allan Saint-Maximin fit could prove the difference in whether Newcastle United stay in the Premier League or not this season.
Saint-Maximin rescued Steve Bruce’s side on Friday night to ensure they doubled their points tally for the season in a 1-1 draw against Leeds United.
The Frenchman’s performance drew rave reviews from pundits and fans.
Following his man of the match display, the 24-year-old called on his teammates to have the ‘mentality to win‘.
Saint-Maximin importance growing
Former England international and Premier League winnerKeown spoke in glowing terms about Saint-Maximin’s performance on last night’s Match of the Day.
Speaking about Saint-Maximin’s Leeds display and importance to Newcastle, Keown said: “It was one attempt after another, it was all around this young man (Saint-Maximin). He’s a real box of tricks, explosive, and they (Newcastle) are going to have to keep him fit if they are going to get out of trouble.
“He was really impressive and maybe if they had Callum Wilson they would have got the three points.”
The former Nice man has definitely stepped up in the absence of Callum Wilson and is on course to have his best season as a Newcastle player.
Talisman’s fitness key
With two goals and two assists from five Premier League games, if Saint-Maximin maintains his current form he’ll be winning individual awards and have a chance of featuring in the league’s team of the season.
But in his last two Premier League campaigns for the Magpies, the mercurial forward has not made any more than 26 top-flight appearances (Transfermarkt).
Newcastle’s best chance of survival is having both their key men Saint-Maximin and Wilson fit and firing, but with the former Bournemouth man’s injury issues resurfacing, the importance of keeping the Frenchman takes a greater precedence.
It does seem at times that Saint-Maximin is single-handedly dragging this club over the line.
Newcastle’s chances of survival will suffer a hammer blow if their main man suffers an injury.
Keeping the club’s number 10 fit is crucial.
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