Newcastle United’s on-loan defender Matt Targett has given a wide-ranging interview to talkSPORT on his start to life on Tyneside.
What has life been like since joining Newcastle?
It’s been brilliant. I’ve really enjoyed my short time here at the moment. The players, the fans…everyone has welcomed me to the club. I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
What was the main reason for going to Newcastle from Aston Villa? Was it because Digne signed?
Look, it was a difficult decision because last season especially, I was pretty much the only left-back. I knew the club wanted to sign a left-back, and I was quite surprised when they signed someone like Lucas Digne. He was out there at the time, and the club had to do what they had to do. It was quite hard to take, to sign someone of that calibre. That’s where the club wants to go, and I completely respect that. But at the same time, I’m 26 and I don’t want to be sitting on the bench. I want to look back and my career and have played as many Premier League games as possible. That’s one of the main reasons, yeah.
You were one of five new faces in a lively transfer window for Newcastle. Who has impressed you out of the current squad the most in training?
I think Saint-Maximin is so tricky, it’s hard to get the ball off him. Also Kieran Trippier, the leadership skills and quality he has. They are all top players and I would say those two have impressed me the most.
Does Saint-Maximin still get in trouble for wearing jewellery all the time?
Yeah, he gets fined a lot actually! You can’t really say anything to him because he is our key player.
I was at the game at the weekend. You got hit with massive injuries, the big one to Kieran Trippier. One thing I noticed [from the weekend] about Saint-Maximin was he was limping at times, and all of a sudden you think he is going to have to come off. Then he burst into life and made a run for goal.
Yeah, that’s what Maxi is like at times. Sometimes he acts like he’s hurt, and the next minute he’s gone from zero to 100. With Trippier, it’s going to be a big loss. He said it himself, he was playing well for the team, he was helping a lot. That’s going to be a big loss, but he’s nice and positive with the injury and he can’t wait to be back as soon as possible.
How have you settled into the area?
It’s been great. I’ve just moved into my apartment which is nice, I’m out of the hotel. I was pulling my hair out, I was in the hotel for a week and a half. Room service ain’t as good as normal food! It’s nice to be out of the hotel. It’s a football-mad city, quite like Birmingham to be fair…
Which is better?
You can’t do that to me!
Is Gabby [Agbonlahor] welcome up there?
Erm…I think Gabby has got under a few skins up here to be fair. I can invite you but I’m not sure a lot of people will be happy to see you!
Tell us a little bit about Eddie Howe and what he is like as a manager. He’s talked a lot about getting the fundamentals right, hasn’t he?
He’s been brilliant since I’ve come in. The team meetings, he’s stripped everything back and he just wants hard work and for us to fight for everything. It’s been brilliant to be fair. The change around and the positive results, we’re in a good place at the moment which is nice. We hope it can continue as long as possible.
Is it true there’s a trainer of the month competition?
Yeah, there was actually. I think it was my third or fourth day and Joelinton won trainer of the month. I was like hang on, what’s going on here?! I think he won £250 or something like that, so I was like alright, I need to start performing in training. Make a few tackles that are unnecessary!
It seems to be a good vibe there at the moment. Dan Burn was man-of-the match on his Premier League debut. What is it like behind the scenes?
It’s a good place to be in at the moment. The lads are great, the changing room is great, and like you said Dan was brilliant on the weekend. Ollie Watkins can be a real handful on his day, and he dealt with him very well. Credit to him. The changing room is in a very good place at the moment, and long may it continue.
A couple of away games now Matty. You’ve got West Ham which is always a difficult game, they’re going for the top four. Brentford away, so London clubs. You’ve just got to keep it going, clean sheets are very solid when you’re down at the bottom. If you can keep that going, I’m sure Newcastle will be in the Premier League next season.
Yeah, for sure. We know West Ham in the last couple of seasons have been flying, at their place it will be very difficult. But we are in a good moment at the moment, we won’t fear anyone and will continue to work hard. We will try and keep a clean sheet, and we know we’ve got the attacking talent to cause a lot of problems for other teams. That will be an interesting game, and I’m looking forward to it.
You couldn’t play against Aston Villa. How much was your knowledge and expertise leaned on for that game?
I would like to say I’m the tactical genius, it was all me that helped Newcastle win! But to be fair, the manager asked a few questions and I answered some. I didn’t want to give too much away, he knows what he’s doing!
