French analyst praises Maja after initial critics

After taken a punch at Nigeria international Josh Maja, French analyst Laurent Brun has backed down on his criticism of the Girondins de Bordeaux striker, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Despite being involved in one of the goals in Bordeaux’s 3-0 win over Rodez in Ligue 2 in August before providing another for 20-year-old French midfielder Logan Delaurier-Chaubet to slam home the winner on the hour-mark in their 1-0 league win over Niort the weekend after, Maja received heavy criticisms from the French analyst for failing to open his goals account this season.

“Bordeaux collectively mastered the game, it was enough, we don’t rush… I find that Bordeaux play in a very diligent, very efficient way, and the mid-attack transitions were existing, and it is perhaps also thanks to Fransérgio, who had a decent match. It’s good, we must not ignite,” Brun said.

“I put a damper on Josh Maja even if he participated in the second goal,” Brun noted.

“I find that Bordeaux played with ten men. I’m sorry, I have nothing against Josh Maja, but I found him totally absent in this match.

“We will have to ask ourselves the right questions because a centre-forward has to weigh in something, and I find he did not weigh on this encounter.”

However, following the recent descent display from the one-capped Eagles player’s, where he has now scored four goals so far this season, the pundit has heaped praises on the former Sunderland star, labelling him Bordeaux finest player.

“He was already better in the last match, even if he had already delivered assists since the start of the season,” Brun said on ARL, as per Girondins4ever.

“Afterwards, we know that he has talent and quality in his register, that is to say, in the last 15 or 20 meters. He is very skillful with his shots and his set pieces.

“Before, he didn’t do enough in the games, and he wasn’t available enough for his teammates.

 “Now, maybe the trend is reversing, and so much the better. (Against Paris FC) he had a very good match, and it must be said.

“I have no problem with that; I have no problem with Josh Maja, quite the contrary. But maybe after this hat trick, he will find a cruising rhythm, and that’s very good.”

With four goals in eight matches, Maja is Bordeaux’s leading goalscorer in the Ligue 2 this term as they continue their push to return to the topflight league.