Newcastle Toons
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Benching Saint-Maximin against Norwich City would be a big mistake

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United is seen in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Newcastle United and AS Saint - Etienne at St. James Park on August 03, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United is seen in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Newcastle United and AS Saint - Etienne at St. James Park on August 03, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Rumor has it that Allan Saint-Maximin will not start for Newcastle United against Norwich City.

According to a few reports from Tyneside earlier this week, the rumor around town is that Steve Bruce plans to use Allan Saint-Maximin as an impact substitute in the second half of tomorrow’s game against Norwich City. Newcastle United brought the electrifying winger over from OGC Nice because of his ability to influence games from out wide. That being said, keeping him on the bench in a must-win game is not ideal.

When we all know he can have a massive game against quite possibly the worst defense the Premier League has seen in years, why place a limit on his impact and production to 20 minutes? The only area in which Norwich City have an advantage over Newcastle United is the passionate support they will receive in their home opener. Not talent, not tactics, but their fans.

As long as the Toon can stay focused on spreading the ball around well, disrupting counter-attacks in the middle of the park and feeding Joelinton with some proper crosses, then three points should be in the bag. Easier said than done, I know. Steve Bruce needs to deploy his strongest lineup tomorrow and this requires playing Saint-Maximin out wide in place of Javier Manquillo. It’s not like the French winger is not fit to play. He played in multiple preseason friendlies with OGC Nice and he got some minutes under his belt with the Magpies against St. Etienne, too.

He does need some time to settle into the squad and to adapt to English football, but Newcastle United do not have time to keep their top players on the bench while playing mediocre players out of position in must-win games.

Related Story. Newcastle's best possible lineup vs. Norwich City. light

After Norwich City, the Magpies’ schedule becomes much more difficult as they face Tottenham (A), Watford (H) and Liverpool (A). As you can see, three points tomorrow are much-needed, but Newcastle United need to start their key players. With Saint-Maximin in from the start, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron could be poised for big performances. If those two are in top form then Newcastle United will head home with three points.