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.