ASM has used lockdown to step up

FRENCH WINGER ‘UP A LEVEL’, SAYS DOMI

FORMER Newcastle United defender Didier Domi believes Allan Saint-Maximin has ‘gone up a level’ in recent weeks and feels it is all down to the management of Steve Bruce.

Saint-Maximin showed glimpses of his brilliance in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against West Ham and his absence against Manchester City tomorrow will be keenly felt as he looks to shake off an injury.

However, the 23-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm since the restart and won three successive man-of-thematch awards in the build-up to Sunday’s clash against David Moyes’ men.

His three assists against Bournemouth last Wednesday show he is beginning to add the end product to his undoubted talent and the likes of PSG have been linked with a move for the former Nice star at the end of the season.

After taking time to find his feet at Newcastle, Domi believes he is now consistently showing his talent on the pitch.

He said: “I think he just had to absorb how demanding the Premier League is.

“The three months off has been a regeneration for him mentally and he knows what he has to do.

“The first thing is Steve Bruce has been really good for him because I have seen too many players who are good at dribbling who did not have the coaches who allowed them that freedom.

“His reading of the situation – knowing when to dribble and where to dribble – to become more efficient in the 18-yard area.

“It is all just part of the process for players like him, like Adama

Traore, like Wilfried

Zaha.

“They need time to think about the reading of the game, the decision-making progress and to analyse the situation and now he has been very, very consistent.”