Not a prolific season for Matt Targett at least not at St Mary's but you had the feeling that he was being groomed for the future, but is that with Southampton Football Club or elsewhere.

Matt Targett played only twice for Saints this season, although in fairness he spent the first part of it recovering from injury, his first appearance was against Huddersfield at St mary's in a 1-1 draw and then he played in the debacle at Spurs on Boxing Day.

But he did not disgrace himself in either game and it was a surprise that he was let go on loan to Fulham in January and he is still there as we speak about to play in the play off final at Wembley against Aston Villa.

He seems to have thrived at Craven Cottage so the big question is whether his future lies there or St Mary's ? Fulham's result at Wembley may help determine that.

Certainly he is Premier League class, however in the way that Saints have played in the past few seasons the other big question is whether he suits the style of play, Targett is similar to Luke Shaw he is more a traditional style left back than an overlapping wing back type of player.

Targett uses the ball well rather than take on defenders and put in crosses, I questioned whether Luke Shaw had the engine to play in United's style of play four years ago and that is the same question for Targett.

So it seemed strange that he went to Fulham when we were in a relegation battle and could have used him, but we seemed to balance up how many times he would actually play against getting him experience ready for next season, the few games that Sam McQueen was called upon during the second half of the season suggests we made the right call, now he will return to St Mary's with games under his belt, but if Bertrand does go do Saints think he is now ready to step into the gap, that is what we will soon find out.

If Bertrand departs and we make a signing to replace him then I do not think that Targett will want to hang around, he is ready for first team football now, he needs it, this is a big summer for him.

Photo: Action Images

underweststand added 14:45 - May 24 I go along with Nick's comments. Matt Targett is a better defender than he is a wing back whereas Luke Shaw was the opposite . His forays forward looked like he was leading the Charge of the Light Brigade, but he was rather ordinary as a defender, and I recall reading (some years ago) that at U16 level . Targett was the better choice of the two. This is a difficult one, If Bertrand goes, we'd need Targett, but I'm not so happy to see him as no. 1 choice and in fact I'm more confident about Sam Mc Queen in that spot- althought he club may well let him go ...(rumours on move to Bristol City.) If Bertand doesn't move, we will need to get in someone else as Targett would surely stay at Fulham - especially if they win the play-off and win promotion.

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ItchenNorth added 09:04 - May 26 Get him back. Time to take the positive Fulham experience and now push hard for our first team. It's a make or break summer / season ahead for Targett with Saints.
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