Article on Matt Targett

http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/40347/

Excellent Ugly Inside piece about the merciless abuse being piled on Matt Targett by some sections of saints "fans".

Vin

 

I was shocked at Tony Pulis' comments. But he is a brilliant manager and I have 100% respect for him.

The article above is very well written and brings up a lot of good points.

I admit I am one of the people to have slated Targett, but it is because he has been disappointing. However, as a fan I never have been and never will be abusive.
My opinion is that he is currently the weak link in the team.

He has a lot to learn. A hell of a lot!

It was a stupid and rash tackle! Shows through that it is inexperience.

He has cost us three or four goals already this season. A spell out on loan would do him good, get some experience under his belt at a lower level.

But he has been very disappointing, I don't think many people can deny that.

 

I have criticised him this season because he has been poor. But there's a big difference between criticism and abuse. Anyone who abuses a player from the club they support should just not bother going to games.

 

Yes, he's had poor moments but for both the Newcastle and Everton games he was almost completely unprotected by the midfield. Since that's been tightened up he's looked a great deal more capable. And picking just him up for last ditch tackles in the box means ignoring José's amazing ability to avoid red cards last season - plenty of reckless last minute challenges (that were fouls) there that the ref seemed not to notice.

As the article points out, he's the left back we have in the squad available to play. I've never understood why some people think that shouting abuse will improve a player. I seem to say at every game now that I hate football fans.

Vin

 

I don't even think he's been that bad. He did well yesterday up against West Brom's best player.

(well I think he did, I was asleep)

 

Abusing a player is unnecessary, but rightly criticising a player who has played as poorly as Targett so far is not unwarranted. He was poor again yesterday, doesn't seem to have the intelligence or awareness to be a decent Premier League player.....yet.

 

I'm reminded of a review of a play that went something like:

"The play was spoiled by the unfortunate position of my seat. Sadly, it faced the stage"

Vin

 

McManaman was the only player on the pitch the whole game that looked like he might make something happen. And he didn't, other than his dive, so Targett couldn't have been that bad.

 

Indeed. He certainly didn't make it look effortless, but in the end he stopped McManaman. It's his lack of contribution in the attack that sticks out at the moment. If he won't run with the ball or make overlapping runs, we might just as well put Yoshida there.

 

Why do people keep saying he needs to be loaned out? He is our back up lb and is fine playing that role.

 

McManaman is a decent player, but he's not exactly Eden Hazard. The fact that he looked like West Brom's biggest threat is somewhat a reflection of Targett being the weak link on defense right now. I thought McManaman dove (and props to Pulis for his comments after the game). At the same time, Targett did not get the ball and his lunge definitely prevented McManaman from playing the ball. So I feel there was a good argument it was a foul whether McManaman dove or not, and Koeman was right we got a little lucky.

Still, I thought he did okay yesterday. In the end, he did manage to contain McManaman enough to prevent a goal. Which I think is about his level right now. He has his hands full just doing his defensive duties, so you can't expect much on the offensive side of things. And that is the right approach for him as well. I felt in the first few games we conceded 2-3 goals that were at least partially result of Targett getting caught out of position, so I have no problem with him not taking risks and just making sure he does the basics.

The only reason I might loan him out is because I think if he were to go to a very good Championship side where he was a key player it could help his game. But it would have to be the right team. And I don't think that is really an option right now, as we need him as backup. And as a backup, I'm reasonably okay with his play and the games he is getting while Bertrand is out will help him.

If he is getting abuse from some supporters that is incredibly stupid. It's never productive to abuse your own player, and I don't get why people think it's fun to shout insults at someone who is trying their best to win a game and send you home happy. Unless you only derive happiness from abusing others, which is sad. But in Targett's case it's even more stupid than usual as he hasn't been that bad and did okay yesterday. What do they expect? He's still young and learning so will make mistakes. He's not exactly shining out there, but he's managing to keep his head above water and at 19, that's pretty good.

It does seem to me that Targett just doesn't have the speed/instincts to be a threat as an attacking wingback type. But that's okay. There's nothing wrong with a defense-first fullback. He just needs to pick his spots and get forward a few times a game. If he does enough on offense to keep the other team honest while being a plus defensive player, that's fine with me. And I think he will get there, given time and support from the team and fans.

 

I think the way Targett put Redmond in his pocket against Norwich showed he is a very capable LB. The problem is that there isn't really much call for a traditional LB anymore. He needs to improve the attacking side of his game. But he has so much time to improve that this will surely come. As I keep saying when Targett is discussed, it is his lack of pace that makes him look worse. Inferior full backs look better with pace. Targett will have to learn to get his positioning spot on - because he will never be fast.

 

Targett got Man of the Match in a few papers....

 

Targett is scared when the ball is passed to him, so he launches it up field.

He is scared to run with it.

He has a lot less pace compared to some wingers.

He does not look comfortable, and the fact that Koeman (x2) have been screaming at him from the touchline several times this season over very basic tactics says a lot.

He needs to improve, but my god, if he is back up he needs to do it quick.

 

If Targett is scared, shouting abuse won't help (N.b. Koeman is allowed to). He was okay last season...he is now the main/only LB in a team still finding it's way...far too soon to write off a teenager. Bertrand will be back soon, so the problem will be solved. As for loaning him out....he is our only spare LB and demotion always does wonders for confidence, doesn't it He's on a tough learning curve...give him a break.

 

There is alot in here I don't agree with but Pulis is a brilliant manager? how much
Have you consumed?

 

Why do some seem to think a back up player needs to be as good as a first team player? We aren't a big enough team to have players of equal level for every position. Targett is decent enough to be back up.

 

FFS!...I don't believe Saints fans sometimes...Not every academy player is going to be as fully formed as a footballer as Luke Shaw was, he was a freak.
Adam Lallana, Morgan, etc were not complete players at 19 and they benefitted from playing in a lower league than Matty. He has the potential to become a top LB, but is obviously still developing, slating him will not help his development in any way, so why do it?. He is an England U21 international, so coaches who can spot talent far better than the average joe fan can, rate him, so for the benefit of the club and the player, let's back him and let him develop without pressure.

 

Good point, SaintsAlive....unlike Shaw, Lallana etc, any youngster coming into our team has to compete in a top half EPL club. Has to land on his feet (according to some Saints fans) and be a fully formed Premier player.

 

The article was very poorly written so I stopped reading.
Agree that Mat should not suffer abuse, however he is not yet good enough start regularly in the premier league. It is the clubs fault we do not have enough cover at LB. At RB we have Cedric and Martina ahead of McCarthy. This is how LB should be.
Its a lot to ask of a young player, imagine if he got injured?!
I agree that if we had a reliable solid stand in a short spell on loan would do him good.