Matt Targett has had the unenviable task of deputising for Ryan Bertrand this season and as our League position now testifies, he has done a good job.

Matt Targett should get special mention for his services this season, he is a different type of left back than Ryan Bertrand, in that he uses the ball rather than runs with it, last season when he came in the pace of Clyne got us out of trouble at the back, but this season we had no pace and some supporters chose to blame Targgett for the defence getting exposed on occasion.

But this was not just Targett's fault, there were those around him just as culpable and to be blunt he is still young and prior to this season had started just 3 Premier League games, one of which he was stretchered off with concussion after 25 minutes.

Targett found himself playing in a make shift defence with only Jose Fonte being considered first choice and that would be a problem for any player of his age, the issue was not Targett, but the fact that until the last couple of weeks we were lacking two key components, the arrival of Van Dijk will go a long way to sorting out some of the issues and Ryan Bertrand will sort out the rest.

But Targett will be back, he is a Premier quality player, but he was thrown in at the deep end and in the main did very well, he has plenty of qualities, a lack of true Bertrand speed pace was probably the only thing he was lacking, but to his credit he never hid, never shirked a tackle and always tried to do the right thing rather than just hoof it at every opportunity.

He is learning his trade and hopefully the club will work a little on getting his a little faster, he is one for the future at Saints, to be blunt Ryan Bertrand is quality, he was the best left back in the Premier League last year and the big clubs will come knocking, when he goes we have Targett ready to step in. When he does so he will hopefully have more experience and the defence will be better prepared for it, it will perhaps have the pace and the eperience around him that he has not enjoyed this season and then i think we will truly see his quality.

So Matt Targett should be applauded, we are getting a reputation as a club that produces and gives the chance to youngsters, but we do not want to get the reputation of supporters who crucify those youngsters when they do play if they do not play well.

Matt Targett is one of us, we should want him to succeed, during the opening games of this season though there were some who seemed to want to scream abuse at himrather than encouragement.

Photo: Action Images

SalisburySaint added 11:10 - Sep 28 spot on Nick Matt is nowhere near as good as Bertrand at the moment, especially going forward where his final ball is poor, but defensively he has done well, especially against Redmond of Norwich and looked good last week against Man u until he got injured I'm sure in time he will prove a reliable full back for Saints and if he can get his crossing right could be an excellent replacement for Bertrand

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Jesus_02 added 11:22 - Sep 28 His problem is that we lost our RB too, that amount of inexperience in the defence is bound to be costly. Fingers crossed next time he gets an opportunity it is amongst a more settled back line. Let’s remember this is the defence that made Lovren look good, it’s a great place to develop.
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IWOZTHERE added 11:42 - Sep 28 Not his greatest fan but the abuse has been out of order, and counter-productive.
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saintsnutcase added 14:07 - Sep 28 Agree with you Nick. It is far harder for our kids to get into the starting line up than it was 3 years ago so we have become too demanding. Targett will be good enough given time.
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BUCK added 19:43 - Sep 28 It was like that with guly
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BUCK added 19:45 - Sep 28 What makes you lot think Bertrand will leave sooner rather than later. Far too much negativity
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ItchenNorth added 13:40 - Sep 29 I'm not sure I've ever heard supporters really giving Targett abuse at St Marys. Sure, players will get the odd moan from individuals (moronic or justified) if an error results in a goal, but I suspect it was more internet comment regards Targett performances (and who knows how many of these fans actually attend all the games for it to effect a players performance in the way it is suggested !). I think he did a reasonable job considering the changes in back four. If he has to step in again; we have a player with solid ability and now experience at this level.

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