Steve Bruce must avoid making this Allan Saint-Maximin mistake at Newcastle United

For a period over the past decade, Southampton were very, very good at home – especially against Newcastle United. Over a four Premier League visits, Newcastle conceded 13 goals – and scored once – at the stadium.

I still remember just how good Rob Elliot was in one game in the 2013/14 season – but United still lost 4-0 to a team which was then managed by Mauricio Pochettino.

“He had far too much work to do – we were in trouble from the kick-off to the end,” then-manager Alan Pardew admitted at the time.

Karl Darlow was in goal at the St Mary’s Stadium a couple of years later for a 3-1 defeat, and the 29-year-old will face Southampton tonight.

Darlow has been busy so far this season, though, importantly, he’s been less busy in the last two games. Steve Bruce was hammered by his critics for last month’s 4-1 hammering against Manchester United, and he responded by switching to a more defensive, counter-attacking system.

United's head coach went back to the future – and the ploy worked. Darlow’s had just seven saves to make over the past 180 minutes – and the team’#s taken four points.

However, the player who has arguably been the least effective in those two games is Allan Saint-Maximin, given a free role behind Callum Wilson.

Saint-Maximin, up to now, has been at his best on the left, and the challenge for Bruce now is to get more from him in a central role.

“It's a little bit new to him, but he'll adapt to it – I'm convinced of that,” said Bruce, who has Ryan Fraser pushing for a start.

Saint-Maximin scored Newcastle’s winner, and the club's last goal before the first lockdown, at the St Mary’s Stadium in March.

What Bruce – who has wanted to play with more width since taking over – should resist doing is changing the compact 5-3-1-1 system to suit Saint-Maximin, who would be less suited to a midfield role alongside Jeff Hendrick.

Saint-Maximin has long wanted to play through the middle – now has the chance to show he can do it.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of NUFC coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor