Matt Targett

[TRO]

39 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

I'm fine with it. I haven't seen him play much in the Premier League, though he was very good for Fulham in the Championship, so if this is the guy they want them I'm glad we've got him. At this stage I have to trust the process. 

If they're operating as they should they will be targetting very specific attributes. Until they prove they can't do that then I'm all for whatever they fancy.

I don't think our full backs need rapid pace given how we play, btw. It would be a nice thing to have, but it's more important they are comfortable in possession, tactically astute and able to whip one in when needed. 

such an endearing Trait, especially when you're married....being the dutiful soldier.

Edited June 29, 2019 by TRO

[TRO]

31 minutes ago, Stockport_Villain said:

The one thing I’ve quickly learnt is that Smith and Co know what they are doing. We now coach and improve players so I’m very comfortable with this. Look forward to seeing him in the pre-season friendlies.

I think previous managers inc SB just seemed to accept that his players hadn't got the quality if they couldn't do it.

Dean seems to know what he wants and won't accept a poor touch, moving forward.....However, he is now in a stronger position to be selective.

Edited June 29, 2019 by TRO

[KMitch]

From r/avfc

 

[HongKongVillan]

4 minutes ago, KMitch said:

From r/avfc

 

Good crosser, sounds a bit thick - a Beckham in left back. Lets do this!

[PieFacE]

Everything i'm reading about Targett is making me quite pleased with this signing. Defending is overrated anyway.

[maqroll]

1 hour ago, terrytini said:

Another good signing which seems to fit to a plan....an actual plan !!!

Has this been announced?

[MaVilla]

1 minute ago, maqroll said:

Has this been announced?

No.

Still technically a rumour.

[Uncle Albert]

He sounds like neil taylor to me, from the twAtter feedback!  You have to trust deanos and co judgment though. Lets see..

Edited June 29, 2019 by Uncle Albert

[Thats2]

More from his spell at Fulham:

 

Targett takes Fulham’s adventure to higher level:

The football traditionalist in me still gets a little queasy when we talk about modern full backs as supplementing the attack. Maybe that’s because I see their first duty as a defensive one – tracking wingers, stopping crosses and ensuring that the defence they are part of has the best chance to keep a clean sheet. But the game has moved on even since the days when Roy Hodgson’s well-drilled defensive unit frustrated some of England’s and Europe’s best chances at home and away from Craven Cottage – and the modern full back has to be just as effective approaching the opposition’s box as they are in their own territory.

Which brings me to the difference that Matt Targett has made to the Fulham side. It is no coincidence that his first few weeks at the Cottage have coincided with the Whites’ most successful sequence of the season – and his partnership with Ryan Sessegnon down the left looks as though has years of understanding behind rather than less than a month. Targett, an impressive youth team player for Southampton and England, has clearly benefited from coming through the Saints academy – you can see that from his excellent technical level, but you also has the energy and desire to win that you expect from a young player. In short, he’s got plenty of Premier League quality.

His arrival freed Sessegnon, who had previously spent much of the season stationed at left back, to frighten Championship defenders from the left wing. But Targett has been just as effective in the final third since he moved to London as his teenage colleague – making many an overlapping run and whipping in plenty of dangerous balls from the left. Even though he is often found high up the pitch, it was still something of a surprise to see him be the first to react when Lucas Piazon sent Sessegnon’s deep cross back across goal at Bolton on Saturday. Targett climbs exceptionally well in the air – he won two aerial duels against taller opponents – and buried his own header beautifully to score his first senior goal.

It wasn’t just the goal that marked Targett out as Fulham’s most consistent performer on what turned into a frustrating day at the Macron Stadium. He showed real character to get up and back into the swing of things after being crudely taken out on the touchline by Mark Little midway through the first half. Nothing stopped him bombing up and down the flank and his boundless energy, allied with Sessegnon’s youthful enthusiasm, are two of the reasons why the Whites are carrying such a threat down that revamped left flank.

Targett’s distribution is also worthy of a mention. Like so many modern full backs, he passes the ball efficiently and accurately – which is one of the reasons he has fitted so seamlessly into Slavisa Jokanovic’s possession-based system. He had 109 touches on Saturday and almost 85% of his passes reached their intended target, which is a completion rate that a top midfielder would be proud of. Thirty of those passes went forwards, which is mark of he wanted the Whites to play the game in Bolton’s half. He played two key passes – which led to good chances for his team-mates – sending in four crosses as well as eleven balls into the Wanderers’ final third.

Perhaps the best thing about Targett’s loan spell so far has been just how exciting he has been to watch, Off the field, he’s an articulate analyst of his own performances and the young man looks as though he’s loving every minute of his time at Fulham. Long may that continue.

 

https://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/02/targett-takes-fulhams-adventure-to-higher-level/

[alreadyexists]

34 minutes ago, KMitch said:

From r/avfc

 

We’re used to players looking and sounding thick:

[useless]

He's very good on the ball, and has very good passing stats.

Edited June 29, 2019 by useless

[VillaChris]

8 hours ago, Farlz said:

I think this is good though the thing most Saints fans are saying is that he's quite slow and are pleased with the £14m, which worries me a bit.

Did he play much last year, always still seemed Bertrand was their LB apart from a spell he had out injured?

Would've thought Targett would've had more chances after his good loan spell at Fulham.

[Demitri_C]

Better than Joe Bryan 

[The Moustache of Teale]

So from what I’ve gathered from here, Twitter and Southampton and Fulham forums today is that he’s a thick, articulate, pacy Championship level full back with Premier League experience, who runs in slow motion, is good going forwards but only when playing in a flat back four, not as a wing back, can’t defend but is good in the air, poor positionally but reads the game well, and an excellent crosser who offers no width.

It’s reassuring to know what we’re getting for our £11 million / £14 million / £16 million /£17 million outlay.

[Carlos_the_third]

Most seem to think he’s better going forwards than backwards - could form an exciting partnership with El Ghazi then, and also will hopefully be protected by AEG who as far as wingers go is pretty diligent defensively! Excited to see how this goes - even if he isn’t the worlds best defender and isn’t super quick, that doesn’t rule him out from being very effective with the right team setup (Leighton Baines struck me as having similar weaknesses but was still absolutely great for Everton for a number of years). Also plenty of potential to grow with consistent starts, which he will presumably be getting with us - happy with this signing at the quoted £11 mill (assuming the £6 mill add ins aren’t for things like ‘be named Matt’).

[brommy]

5 hours ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I’m happy with the signing. Just a bit wary.

I think that goes for every signing. There are no guarantees. Even a so-called 'no brainer' signing like El Ghazi could end up with him platau-ing and struggling in PL or a long-term injury.

I'm glad Smith and the Villa team have the responsibility and not others.

[sidcow]

35 minutes ago, The Moustache of Teale said:

So from what I’ve gathered from here, Twitter and Southampton and Fulham forums today is that he’s a thick, articulate, pacy Championship level full back with Premier League experience, who runs in slow motion, is good going forwards but only when playing in a flat back four, not as a wing back, can’t defend but is good in the air, poor positionally but reads the game well, and an excellent crosser who offers no width.

It’s reassuring to know what we’re getting for our £11 million / £14 million / £16 million /£17 million outlay.

And probably isn't actually signing anyway. 

[Johnnyp]

4 minutes ago, sidcow said:

And probably isn't actually signing anyway. 

Targett  ? Ah this is definetely getting done. It's not agent dave tweeting about it. John Percy is pretty solid, works for a reputable paper and doesn't put silly stuff out. He said it's basically done. Nixon the same - he's credible, even though he works for a rag.

[terrytini]

2 hours ago, maqroll said:

Has this been announced?

No, but I’ve never known Sam Wallace to announce anything that’s then not happened.

[Johnnyp]

https://mobile.twitter.com/Mattytargett/following