Eddie Howe has had plenty to say about Allan Saint-Maximin ahead of today’s clash with West Ham at St James’ Park.
The boss has revealed that Bruno Guimaraes’ loss could be the Frenchman’s gain, hinting he could come into the side now our suspended midfielder will sit out our next three Premier League fixtures this month.
Howe also praised his attitude in recent weeks, saying “he’s understood” the lack of starts and got himself into great shape since recovering from injury.
As a result, the 45-year-old is predicting a “huge” second half of the season for ASM, believing he has a key role to play an an opportunity to get himself back in his XI on a regular basis following five months without a Premier League start.
Here’s what Howe’s had to say about his attitude, physical condition and his route back into the first team:
“Allan’s been very good. He’s understood, I think, the difficult situation that I’ve found myself in where I’ve kept a very consistent team, because the team’s performed at a very high level.
“Results have been very good. I think he’s understood, but he’s also been very keen to show his talent and his worth from the off, so this is potentially, with Bruno’s suspension, an opportunity for Allan, amongst other players.
“I back his quality. I love him as a footballer and as a person. He’s a huge player for us, and he’s going to be massive between now and the end of the season.
“It’s (second half of season) going to be huge for him, personally – and huge for us that we get him in the best possible place to play.
“Physically, I think he’s in a good place now, probably the best he’s been since his injury.
“It was a difficult injury for him, because he didn’t just injure his hamstring once, he injured it twice. So that really did delay his comeback.
“I do think he’s looked really good from the bench in recent weeks, and hopefully that has helped his confidence levels so that he can play a different role for us.
“There’s competition for places, and that’s what we need in every position, because you know that one bad game or a couple of bad games can leave you out of the team and give someone an opportunity to take your place. Hopefully, that will help us in what will be a congested second half of the season.
“There’ll be no better player at doing what Allan does well in the league, in my opinion. You can never force a player to play like someone else.
“Allan’s unique, but we just need to make sure we see his strengths, and that comes down to the team giving him the ball in the right areas, and then Allan executing what he needs to do.”
