Allan Saint-Maximin is a “test” and “not easy” to manage – but Steve Bruce says he is worth the effort.
The Newcastle coach admits his French winger can be a handful to deal with at times, but is a maverick who “loves football” and knows the European game in incredible detail.
Saint-Maximin has been handed a freer role playing down the middle in recent games and is hoping to grab a winner at Southampton like he did last season.
Bruce has insisted Saint-Maximin wants to play in his new position, despite a couple of quiet games.
He said: “He’s always going to be a difficult one to manage. He’s not like an Almiron or a Callum Wilson – he will test you to the limit. But he’s worth it.
“He’s different. He can win you a match, but there’s times where you want him to do a bit more. All of those things are in there, but he’s young.
“He’s still learning, but you only have to look at last year’s game down at Southampton – he won us the game. We had all the pressure and couldn’t score, but then he popped up with the winner.
“We’ll keep on talking about him because that’s what he is. He’s a larger than life personality, and he’s enjoyable to watch, whether he’s getting kicked or he’s taking on somebody. Whatever it is, there’s never a dull moment.
“He is always going to be a challenge. Let me tell you something about him which is most important. He absolutely loves football.
“Playing with his dog in the garden, or the kids, but ask him any result around Europe or any player and he will tell you. Which is unique.
"He does enjoy training and playing and football. He is always going to be a test because of what he is... because of what he is... testing!”
On his new position, Bruce said: “He played the role well against Burnley. He wants to have the flexibility of being able to go down the middle or both ways.
"He has done ok with it. He has made us more of a threat.
“It is new to him, but he will adapt to it and when he gets the hang of hit he goes both ways. He scored the Burnley goal through the middle, made the second out of the right. It gives me flexibility. He will be fine.”
Newcastle can go fourth on Friday night if they beat Southampton who themselves can go top.
Bruce says James Ward-Prowse if the new David Beckham of free kick taking after his double last weekend.
He said of the Saints' set piece dangerman: “He reminds me, the way he strikes it, the way he takes it the way he kicks it, he's so like a Beckham.
“He's been excellent for years, I've been a big admirer of him for a long time now, He's a really, really top, top midfield player who scores a goal and great attitude.
“He epitomises Southampton, really, and what they're all about. I've got the highest regard for him, he's a really good player, the kid."
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