Allan Saint-Maximin (now playing for Fenerbahce, on loan from Al-Ahli)

[OCOCOL]

13 hours ago, The Butcher said:

Attention seeking vague shite that.

like a footballers equivalent of “im

foaming, can’t say why too many snakes on here. Inbox me hun xx” ?

[TRon]

13 hours ago, Smal said:

"Thanks to everyone for the support, whatever happens, I will always give everything when I have the chance to step onto the pitch"

 

doesn't make it sound like he's off to me, like. It reads more like he's had a difficult season and wanted to say something. 

 

 

 

 

That's how I read it as well. Didn't see anything which would lead me to think he's leaving, at least not by choice.

[Barnes23]

Not sure why it's an absolute necessity for us to make a major sale this summer on FFP grounds. 

 

Don't think any of us know the full extent of what will be financially possible and what won't, or the finer details of FFP, but qualifying for the CL will afford us considerable leeway. Especially as we know the intention isn't to overhaul the squad, but bring in quality in a select number of positions. None of the targets I've seen credibly mentioned so far are really out of step in terms of budget or wages. 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by Barnes23

[LV]

I seem to remember there were some rumours at the start of the year that Maxi was upset with the club about something. Something they weren’t letting him do? 
 

Probably all bullshit but I def remember seeing some purported texts he had written 

[Smal]

https://twitter.com/milesstarforth/status/1665971288710561792

 

Starforth:

 

Asked Eddie Howe at Stamford Bridge about Allan Saint-Maximin’s importance at Newcastle next season. Howe spoke about the winger's ability, and stressed that his future role at the club would be ‘dictated by Maxi himself’. But will he still be here? 1/2 #nufc

 

Eddie Howe doesn’t have to sell this transfer window, but, we know, he’s quite prepared to move players out if it’s right for the club – and the player. It all depends on what offers are out there this summer – and what Allan Saint-Maximin wants to do. 2/2 #nufc

[AyeDubbleYoo]

11 minutes ago, Barnes23 said:

Not sure why it's an absolute necessity for us to make a major sale this summer on FFP grounds. 

 

Don't think any of us know the full extent of what will be financially possible and what won't, or the finer details of FFP, but qualifying for the CL will afford us considerable leeway. Especially as we know the intention isn't to overhaul the squad, but bring in quality in a select number of positions. None of the targets I've seen credibly mentioned so far are really out of step in terms of budget or wages. 

 

Tend to agree, I think the FFP chat is mainly to downplay how much we can spend. 

 

We're not spending anything out of the ordinary for a PL club, and now we're about to have an increase in income and profile. 

[AJ9]

2 hours ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

There are big questions over Gordon/Anderson/Isak on the left though, none are perfect options at the moment. 

Yep sure, but neither is Maxi. Joe in there as well mind. 

[AJ9]

2 hours ago, Optimistic Nut said:

 

Signing a better left-back and midfielders would make us better overall though.

 

I don't know a single team in the league who can say they've went 4 years since selling a player for £20m plus, that's crazy.

 

FFP is a thing, we're going to have to at least pretend to stick to it at some point. Unless we're selling someone we've just bought like Bruno, Botman or Isak, I don't see anyone other than Maxi who will bring a fee in. 

Yep. 
 

Especially given how many games we actually got out of of Maxi on account of his fitness. I mean maybe those issues can be ironed out, but your first point is exactly why we should be considering letting him go.

[Sufi]

5 hours ago, reefatoon said:

 love it when Dan Burn is the blame for ASM’s lack of form this season. It’s so lazy.

 

You do realise he had either Dummet, Manquillo or Matt Ritchie playing behind him most of his time here 

 

ASM’s form is not Dan Burns fault.

 

 

 

I havent blamed Burn for his form. I've simply stated the fact that Burn is a unique LB who really needs to be covered and also offers nothing going forward. 

[Lazarus]

Hope he stays tbh.

 

His fitness is obviously an issue but maybe some sort of custom/personalised training can help. Its also kind of weird that he hasnt made the same jump in consistency and performances that 'lesser' players have.

 

 

 

[The College Dropout]

3 hours ago, r0cafella said:

That’s true but missing the point no? I think what people are saying is basically who would you trust to follow a tactical instruction such as tracking back? ASM or Gordon? 

They both try to do it, is my point. It's not like ASM hasn't been putting in a shift.

[Erikse]

8 minutes ago, Lazarus said:

Hope he stays tbh.

 

His fitness is obviously an issue but maybe some sort of custom/personalised training can help. Its also kind of weird that he hasnt made the same jump in consistency and performances that 'lesser' players have.

 

 

 

 

Tactic under Bruce was: send the ball to an isolated Maxi and let him dribble his way through a bunch of players. All he had to focus on is what he does best, because he didn't even have passing options anyways. With Howe we have to move the ball much quicker between players, and I feel like Maxi is the one player which doesn't suit the new style better. His eagerness to dribble when he can pass is what Howe has been trying to work on, he even talked about it. "His decision making in terms of when to dribble and when to pass".

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by Erikse

[The College Dropout]

I don't totally buy that. The whole team dribbles - A LOT. Joe, Willock, Bruno. Murphy, Almiron, Gordon are also all ball carriers.

 

This thread irks me, so I'll try and stay out after this post.

 

Personally, I want our most talented players to succeed at this club, and I'd like ASM to stay and fight for his place. I will never understand the eagerness in some quarters to move on big talents if they're willing to stay, fight and improve.

[Abacus]

Not convinced that selling St Max makes much sense to me right now. I still think he's needed for when Plan A doesn't work for at least another year - he can certainly unsettle defences and push them back 10 yards. 

 

But I'll immediately contradict myself now by saying that he's no longer indispensable like he used to be. The new indispensable players are Bruno and Joelinton - almost certainly Isak in time. I can't see many of the CL contenders in the premier league going in for ASM, and that's where we're aspiring to be.

 

So I guess that being the case IF, and only if, the right offer comes in this summer then you have to sell and reinvest better just like you would any other player in the squad.

 

Edit - currently working on my next statement of the bleeding obvious as we speak.

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by Abacus

[Dr Jinx]

I hope he stays despite being somewhat of a square peg in a round hole currently.

 

If he can add consistency to his game he’s almost unplayable.

 

He showed what he can do properly in less than 10 games this season. Which is why lesser lights have been in favour ahead of him.

[Erikse]

24 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I don't totally buy that. The whole team dribbles - A LOT. Joe, Willock, Bruno. Murphy, Almiron, Gordon are also all ball carriers.

 

This thread irks me, so I'll try and stay out after this post.

 

Personally, I want our most talented players to succeed at this club, and I'd like ASM to stay and fight for his place. I will never understand the eagerness in some quarters to move on big talents if they're willing to stay, fight and improve.

 

It's not about that he should never dribble, Man City players also dribble a lot. But if they dribble when they should've passed, that's something different, and that can make Pep furious. The players that you mention are picking out dribbles at the right moments.

Howe after the Man United game:

“I thought he gave a really good all-round performance on Sunday,” he said.

“He’s a natural dribbler, everyone knows that, but his decision making of when to dribble and when to pass was very good. He got an assist so the end product was there and defensively he was diligent so I am delighted with him.”

 

I read from this that Howe has been working with him on his decision making. But also that the defensive part matters, which I don't think Bruce demanded too much of. He was allowed to stay higher up under Bruce. I'm sure Bruce gave him a lot more freedom in games, because he was our only threat together with Wilson.

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by Erikse

[Unbelievable]

12 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I don't totally buy that. The whole team dribbles - A LOT. Joe, Willock, Bruno. Murphy, Almiron, Gordon are also all ball carriers.

 

This thread irks me, so I'll try and stay out after this post.

 

Personally, I want our most talented players to succeed at this club, and I'd like ASM to stay and fight for his place. I will never understand the eagerness in some quarters to move on big talents if they're willing to stay, fight and improve.

This is where I am. Seems many have already forgotten how bringing Isak and Maxi on turned some games for us not long ago. Those two have an excellent understanding on the pitch and are capable of making things happen individually as well as together, either starting or coming from the bench. Who else do we have that can do that?

[Shearergol]

My only issue with ASM is his fitness. It's extremely frustrating seeing him come in for 2 games, start to look like he's getting form back, then missing the next 5 through injury.

[duo]

I doubt he'll be sold. But I think of all the players he's progressed the least under Howe

[Erikse]

Just need to clarify, even though I don't think he fits perfectly in Howes system, doesn't mean that I want him gone! I'm sure he will be able to have some good run of games next season when called upon, and that Howe can work on him even more. And for sure his injuries has not helped him, because he needs consecutive games to get back into form.. When he finally hits form after a few games, he often gets injured again. Quite sad really..

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by Erikse

[Sufi]

9 minutes ago, Shearergol said:

My only issue with ASM is his fitness. It's extremely frustrating seeing him come in for 2 games, start to look like he's getting form back, then missing the next 5 through injury.

One of my close friends is a physio and he told me a huge chunk of footballers have an imbalance between quad strength and hamstring. Which makes sense because its a really quad heavy sport. I could see that being the case with ASM maybe he could do some work with an expert to have a deep look into how and why he keeps getting hurt. Wouldnt hurt to drop 5-10lbs either 

[RobsonsWonderland]

Would the majority of us be excited if we were buying him today... I reckon so.

 

And when he goes will he be remembered more like Ginola, Robert, Ben Arfa then the likes of Obertan, Duff, N Zogbia? 

 

He was probably a lot of people's top player for a number of years so I can't understand the hatred he picks up... Yes there are better players in the squad now but let's not forget his best years were playing for Bruce! 

 

[JP]

Trust Howe more than i trust ASM.

 

In the sense that the club/team performance must always come first. 

 

If we'd be better off without him in Howe's view, so be it.

 

[Displayname]

19 minutes ago, JP said:

Trust Howe more than i trust ASM.

 

In the sense that the club/team performance must always come first. 

 

If we'd be better off without him in Howe's view, so be it.

 

Nothing suggests thats Howe's view though. Other than a few games after an injury he has been in the starting eleven most of the times. 

[Beth]

World class on his day, but far too injury prone and inconsistent. If we move him on and use the money to get Maddison for an extra outlay of £10M or so I think it would make sense, for all parties concerned.

 

I don't understand the hammer Gordon gets on here, he's 21 and barely featured yet many have written him off as shite. At least give him a pre season and a run of games first.....