Steve Bruce has admitted that he wasn’t planning on starting Allan Saint-Maximin at Bournemouth – until he ‘bounced into training’ full of beans the day before the game and changed his mind!
The NUFC boss stated in his Tuesday morning presser that the Frenchman was “extremely tired” after our 0-2 defeat to Man City, hinting he could be rested at Bournemouth as a result.
Little over 24 hours later, however, the 23-year-old not only started but inspired us to victory, bagging a brilliant hat-trick of assists in another stunning display.
Here’s what Bruce had to say about the performance and box-office winger after the game:
“I get asked about Allan every week!
“If you haven’t seen him before then you’re going to enjoy watching him.
“Yesterday I wasn’t planning on starting him but he bounced into training and was full of it!
“I said ‘let’s see if we can get an hour out of him’ and he was terrific.””I thought the quality of our play and our finishing was right up there from the first five minutes.
“It’s worked out a very good night for us and I was pleased to watch it.
“Arguably our best performance of the season.”
Many on social media felt starting ASM was a risk – and it seemed like an unnecessary one after Bruce’s comments on Tuesday – however it paid off based on his stunning display, with him setting up 3 of our 4 goals.
There is a lot of positivity among our fanbase – and rightfully so – after such a convincing performance away from home.
We well and truly put Bournemouth to the sword and put a fierce nail into their relegation coffin, just as they did to us four years ago at St James’ Park in Steve McClaren’s last ever game!
This Newcastle team now has a real chance of getting into that top 10 – something we have only done twice in the Ashley era – and it’s just a shame we couldn’t show any of this attacking flair against Man City on Sunday.
If we add a goal-scoring centre-forward to our ranks then we are talking about a seriously dangerous side for any team in the Premier League.
Happy days for the boys in black-and-white!
C’mon the Toon!!!!
Mitchell McAndrew(Quote)