Gary Neville has stated that Eddie Howe’s comments about Allan Saint-Maximin are ‘a little harsh’ on the Newcastle United player, as he told MNF on Sky Sports (27/12/21 at 7:50 pm).
It was put to the former right-back, by Sky presenter Dave Jones, that Howe wants Saint-Maximin to ‘attack with the team’, but Neville thinks the style of play Newcastle have been performing under over the years has contributed to the opposite happening.
Previously, it has been Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce that have walked the touchline at St James’ Park.
Both are defensive-minded coaches and have relied on counter-attacks or moments of magic to get Newcastle producing the goods in the final third.
This was touched upon by Neville and he suggested that Howe was a little early in making such claims about Saint-Maximin because he needs to instil a possession-based style of play first, before he can then pass judgment.
“I think it’s harsh on Saint-Maximin,” said Neville. “I think the way in which they have been playing has been counter-attack. It has been like that for three or four years. Forget Steve Bruce. Before Steve Bruce as well.
“Everton, I think, play the exact same way where you are relying on individual moments and players counter-attacking. Even Manchester United to a certain extent – and Crystal Palace have done it.
“There are teams who haven’t got that methodical possession play. They are that deep at times that they are living off scraps and individual moments that these players have to thrive off.
“I think to say, after a few weeks, to say that he needs to be a team player when you have not instilled a team methodology of play, I think is a bit harsh on him.”
Well, it was an individual bit of magic that helped Saint-Maximin open the scoring for Newcastle against Manchester United on Monday night.
That quality the Frenchman has in his game, to carry the ball as far and wide as he wants, is something you can’t take out of his game.
There’s no doubt that he does need to put his head up a bit more and at times look for the more simple route, and that’s a pass to his teammate.
But added with Howe’s coaching and Saint-Maximin’s want to drive with the ball in any situation, the duo might just make a formidable partnership the longer they work together on the training ground.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
