x

Targett Blossoming At Fulham

Matt Targett is earning rave reviews at Fulham suggesting that he could return to St Mary's in the summer and make the left back spot his own.

Matt Targett won rave reviews a few seasons ago under Ronald Koeman, but then he fell out of favour with the Dutchman and a series of injuries stopped his progress and Sam McQueen stepped into the breach when Ryan Bertrand was injured.

But Targett was always the player the club truly rated as the replacement for Bertrand if and when he leaves and if Targett continues his progress at Fulham. Saints may well be prepared to cash in on Bertrand and gibe Targett the opportunity to make the left back spot his own.

Certainly Targett is a ball playing left back rather than the more wing back style of Bertrand or McQueen , but he has the ability to not only lay balls along the line but put in telling crosses, he uses the ball rather than his own pace.

So far he has made 3 starts for Fulham after his debut as a half time substitute in the London sides 3-1 win at Barnsley and those four games have seen 3 wins and a draw with Targett scoring in that game at Bolton.

His three starts have lead to his being named in the Championship team of the week in each of those games and Fulham have emerged as genuine contenders not only for a play off spot but automatic promotion if they continue this form.

At 22 Targett now needs games to kick him on and that is why Saints sent him out on loan to Fulham, he seems to be taking his chance by the scruff of the neck and hopefully he will return to St Mary's and do the same.

There was never doubting his ability, but the inference was he was too nice, he lacked that killer instinct like James Ward Prowse he seems to be finding that now and that could be good for Saints.

What to read next:

From Frustration to Relief: Leeds United Equalise in Dramatic Final Moments
We should have been playing against ten men for over half this game, but in the end Leeds had to be content with a point after forcing a very late equaliser against Preston North End.
Preston Awaydaze
Our visit to Deepdale is on Saturday, with a 12.30pm kick off, and once again we’re live on Sky Sports. As the name Preston North End suggests, the stadium is a mile or so to the north of the town centre.
Leeds keep home run going against lively Middlesbrough
This time we were made to work hard for our home win, but two late goals proved to be enough to take the points against Middlesbrough.
Leeds ease to comfortable win over Derby
The game played out as most of the fans on both sides would have predicted, apart from the identity of the two goalscorers. It took a while for us to break down a stubborn Derby County defence, but once we had scored the two goals there was only going to be one way this game was going to finish.
Leeds drawn at home to Harrogate in the FA Cup
Tonight’s draw for the third round of the FA Cup threw up several local derbies, and the most enticing of all must be our all-Yorkshire clash with Harrogate Town, with the two clubs being only 15 miles apart.
Disappointing Leeds go down at Blackburn
Our defeat to Blackburn Rovers has caused plenty of moaning on social media, while Daniel Farke has blamed our hectic fixture schedule. But it was a shame the team picked the game with our biggest travelling support of the season to serve up one of their worst away performances.
Blackburn Awaydaze
This season’s trip to Blackburn Rovers is tomorrow with kick-off at 1.30, provided the pitch has dried out enough after last week’s postponement. Once again it looks like we’ll be taking the biggest away following in the Championship this season.
Farke sees room for improvement despite victory
Leeds duly went back to the top of the table with a fairly routine victory over Luton Town, but Daniel Farke thought the win should have been even more emphatic when he spoke to the BBC after the game.
Leeds fighting spirit wins through as we beat Swansea to go top
Leeds were twice behind in this incredible game at Swansea City, and then seemed to have victory snatched away right at the death. But each time we fought back and our sheer determination finally secured the victory that we needed to finish the weekend on top of the Championship.
Swansea Awaydaze
Our visit to Swansea City is on Sunday with a 3pm kick-off, and once again we’re being televised live on Sky Sports, which will be handy for those of us who can’t get to South Wales on a Sunday.