This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
To say Newcastle’s style of football was tedious would probably be an understatement.
There is rarely an attacking threat and they seem quite willing to sit back and enjoy the play without actually having the ball at their feet.
In 2019/20, Steve Bruce’s men have averaged just 37.9% of the possession as they sit 14th in the Premier League.
They’ve scored the second-fewest goals of anyone in the division and their record £40m arrival of Joelinton has been extremely poor – scoring just once.
However, there is a man who could be key to helping this style work more concisely.
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On the chalkboard
In recent times, Allan Saint-Maximin has been the go-to man. He’s provided St James’ Park with a sense of excitement and every time he gets on the ball you can hear the anticipation in the stands.
The £22.5m-rated winger has been a live-wire on the wing but with Joelinton occupying the forward spaces, his path to the goal is sometimes blocked.
Saint-Maximin may not have scored or assisted a single goal yet this term but he could be the answer to their problems in attack, especially considering the counter-attacking style Bruce operates with.
He is often the focal point in a wide area with the ball being worked quickly to the Frenchman in order to get at the defence.
His pace can cause all sorts of problems but with Joelinton misfiring and Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle not scoring either, a new option could take shape.
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Saint-Maximin has managed a colossal 4.3 dribbles per game this term and against Manchester City, he completed seven of them. The same stat was also managed against Aston Villa and Wolves.
The 22-year-old was used as a central striker on the odd occasion in France, playing eight times in that role for Nice last term.
It’s a position he’s not unfamiliar with and he’d certainly provide a more athletic route to goal. Joelinton has proven sluggish and he often gets the ball gets on halfway and has little support or room to manoeuvre.
If that was Saint-Maximin, however, he may be able to get at the defence fluidly and transition Newcastle into attack in a more positive fashion.
Considering the lack of goals Newcastle have scored, they need greater urgency and the summer arrival could be the man to provide them with the much-needed impetus in a central area.
In other news, check out what Alan Shearer has had to say about numerous Newcastle players…