Steve Bruce has challenged NUFC star Allan Saint-Maximin to work on his fitness and final ball.
The Frenchman has been one of our shining lights in recent weeks, getting bums off seats in a dazzling display against Manchester United and being our biggest threat in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.
Bruce has praised the 22-year-old, describing him as a ‘constant threat’ and ‘unpredictable’ talent, but admits he has ‘a lot of fitness work’ to catch up on and room for improvement when it comes to his final product:
“He’s a constant threat. He gets you on the edge of your seat and can do something that many people can’t,”
“He’s a bit unpredictable and we have to find the finished product from him. But when you talk about Chelsea’s youngsters, you have to remember that he’s 22 as well. We’ve got a few young players who can only get better.”
“It’s only the second game for Allan, too, and he’s got a lot of fitness work to catch up on.”
“We’re hoping that he can stay well because he is a threat.”
It was visible in the second half at Stamford Bridge that the former Nice winger than out of steam, with us seeing very few of those explosive runs that caused Chelsea real trouble in the first 45.
As for his final product, his decision making has been pretty good, with him often picking the right pass at the end of a mazy dribble, but in a team that lacks goals, the pressure is one for him to deliver where it matters in the final third.
He was a risky signing and a player many Ligue 1 experts had doubts about, however an in-form Allan Saint-Maximin could be the driving force behind our push for survival if recent displays are anything to go by.
Let’s hope he can stay fit and start weighing in with goals and assists before long.
