Andy Gray felt that Allan Saint-Maximin should have been hooked off at half-time for Newcastle United during their 2-0 EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester United on Sunday at Wembley.
The former Scotland striker thinks Saint-Maximin wasn’t doing enough for his team, but Richard Keys disagreed with his long-time colleague, as they told beIN SPORTS (26/02/23 at 5:35 pm).
In the end, the £17 million winger (Sky Sports) was taken off after 78 minutes by Eddie Howe, with Jacob Murphy coming into the action, but failing to make an impact.
Throughout Saint-Maximin’s time on the pitch, he continued to get on the ball, he jabbed, jabbed, and jabbed at Manchester United’s defence.
But he just couldn’t land that heavyweight punch, with a dazzling run resulting in the Frenchman either getting smothered out or miss-placing his pass.
That’s probably why Andy Gray wanted the player off at the break, instead, it was Sean Longstaff coming off for the more attack-minded Alexander Isak.
“I might even take Saint-Maximin off,” said Gray.
Keys added: “No, no.”
Gray then responded: “He’s not done enough for me, Saint-Maximin. That’s the only thing.”
Keys then added further: “But he can. He can do it. We saw it in a flash. I am not taking Saint-Maximin off.”
NEWCASTLE NEED TO PICK THEMSELVES BACK UP
That was Newcastle’s first Wembley trip this century, but now it’s time to make it a regular visit.
These are going to be some pretty tough days for the fans, players and the club as a whole.
But it needs to be remembered that, ever since PIF brought Eddie Howe to the club, it has been nothing but an upward trajectory and there’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue during these coming years.
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