Connect with us

Featured

Matt Targett understands his first team absence and gives Eddie Howe a positive message

Published

1 month ago

on

Newcastle left back Matt Targett eyes up a return to the starting 11.

An unfortunate heel bone injury saw him miss out the whole of January and February which saw him ultimately lose his place in the starting 11 to Dan Burn.

This season, Newcastle have boasted the best defence in the league which hasn’t helped Targett’s case to get back in and secure his place on the team sheet.

Having not started a Premier League game in 2023 and his last appearance in the starting lineup coming against Bournemouth in September, he has insisted that he is not at the point where he must knock on Eddie Howe’s door to start, saying: “The manager makes the decision that’s best for the team.”

“Whenever he’s called on me, I’ve always been ready to do my best for the team and if he decides to pick me on Sunday (against Spurs) I will do my best to help the team get a win.”

Targett showed an understanding of the situation he finds himself in when speaking to The Chronicle, he said: “The last few months have been difficult, but I understand what’s been going on. Obviously, the injury didn’t help.”

“That was a big setback. Then the team have been doing unbelievably so you know it’s hard to change a winning team. At the moment we’ve got the best defensive record in the league so I know it’s hard for me to get back in but I’ve been as professional as I can so I will just hard work to show the manager I’m ready.”

Newcastle face Tottenham in a game that could be the decider in the top 4 race for Champions League football. Targett knows how important Sunday’s match is going to be but feels it may still end up going all the way to the very end.

“It’s going right to the wire. It’s a kick in the teeth today (at Villa) but I’m sure we will bounce back next Sunday. It’s a massive, massive game.”

Targett returned to his old club at the weekend and got a much-needed cameo to help boost his fitness as he keeps fighting for his starting 11 return.

Talking about the Villa Park atmosphere on his return to the ground, he said: “Yeah, we knew it was going to be a tough game. When Villa Park is up like that it it’s a hard team to play against.”

“I know as a player, not many opponents like coming to Villa Park. They make it very difficult for opposition teams.

“I’m happy to see them doing so well but hopefully it’s us that finishes in the top four.”

 

Do you think Matt Targett could make his way back into the starting lineup? – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Share
Related Topics:
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Best of North East

The fantastic ‘pad’ for seriously ill children and their families, opening in memory of Bradley Lowery

Published

5 hours ago

on

May 30, 2023

By

This is the incredible ‘pad’ where sick children can go for a well-deserved break with their families – and it is all in the name of Bradley Lowery.

‘Super Brad’s Pad’ is taking shape and could soon become a haven for people to ‘make memories’.

It will have five bedrooms, play rooms, a hot tub, enclosed garden and lots of other top-notch facilities.

It is all being made possible by the Bradley Lowery Foundation and the fantastic members of the public who are supporting it with donations.
But more help is needed to make sure fundraising targets are hit and here’s your chance to give support.
Bradley’s mum Gemma Lowery, who started the Foundation, said: “Families can spend days, weeks, months in hospital with a seriously ill child and being able to have a short getaway makes the world of difference to all of the families. 

“We want children to have the opportunities Bradley had when he wasn’t in hospital, we want parents to relax and enjoy each others company, away from the day to day life of being in hospital.”

Super Brad’s Pad will cater for up to 10 people per visit, so that ‘grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins can also enjoy being a part of the experience’ said the Foundation.

The aim is for the home to host around 100 families per year.

Fundraising was paused, and the holiday build was put on hold, during the pandemic.

But it is back in full swing and Gemma said the build was ‘coming along nicely’.

She added: “Every donation no matter how big or small means everything to us.”

Bradley touched the hearts of people all over the world. In 2017, he won a Child of Courage trophy at the Best of Wearside Awards.

Bradley lost his fight to neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer, in July of 2017.

Gemma founded the Bradley Lowery Foundation and started the charity which became a beacon of hope.

Since it was founded, it has raised more than £3million for dozens of poorly children.

It has also established a dedicated support line for the families of children with cancer, donated huge sums of money to researching childhood cancers and campaigned for new drugs to be introduced in the UK.

Gemma said: “Fundraising is hard for all charities at the moment. We appreciate every penny that is donated, especially because we still have £200,000 to finish the holiday home we are building in Scarborough.”

To found out more about the Foundation, visit https://bradleyloweryfoundation.com

Share
Continue Reading

Featured

Karl Darlow set for permanent move away from Newcastle United

Published

21 hours ago

on

May 29, 2023

By

After a successful loan spell to Hull City, Karl Darlow is poised for a permanent move away from St. James’.

Hull City manager Liam Rosenior has made it clear he wants to keep a hold of Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Signing for the club in 2014 from Nottingham Forest, he went onto make 100 appearances for the magpies with his debut coming in 2015 under Steve McLaren. His best stint for the club was during the 2020/21 season making 25 appearances. He then saw himself fall out of favour when Martin Dubravka signed for the club and now with Nick Pope cementing the position as his own, Darlow saw himself drop down the pecking order.

Signing for Hull City on loan in January, he has since made 11 appearances keeping 5 clean sheets in the process, with three coming in the last four matches against good opposition in Millwall, Blackburn, and Watford.

“He’s been magnificent since he’s come in,” Rosenior said after Darlow’s clean sheet against Watford on Saturday. “I think he’s massively enjoying working here, I think he’s enjoying the club, he’s settled in with the players really really well.

“What I really like about Karl was as soon as he signed he had his young family come and join him and settle down in the area, and I think that’s helped him. Hopefully we’ll have discussions in the summer about his long-term future.”

Rosenior revealed earlier in the week his intention to keep Darlow at the club, and Hull are believed to be in discussions with Newcastle over making the goalkeeper’s stay at the MKM Stadium permanent – as his loan agreement is believed to have as an option.

Contracted at St. James’ until 2025, it seems as though a permanent move to Hull City would be the best thing for Darlow with his position at Newcastle United seemingly gone.

 

Where do you think Karl Darlow will be next season – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Share
Continue Reading

Featured

Our Premier League Team of the Season 2022/2023

Published

1 day ago

on

May 29, 2023

By

With the season drawing to a close, we have put together our Premier League Team of the Season.

In what has been a season that is set to go right down to the very end, it has been yet another spectacular campaign of football with players breaking out on to the scene and some very memorable moments.

Lets have a look at who we have decided is in the starting 11 for the Team of the Season.

The starting 11 was chosen in terms of not only who we think has been the best in those positions, but also who has either exceeded expectations but also who has done exactly what was expected of them in their position.

Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman mean Newcastle United make up 60% of the defence in this team, but for good reason. This season, the magpies are currently bosting the best defence in the league conceding the least amount of goals, 24 to be precise.

William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko make up the remaining two spots in the defence, the Arsenal duo have had a great campaign with the gunners still sat top of the league and looking to get their first league title in nearly 20 years.

A midfield three of Casemiro, Keving De Bruyne, and Martin Odegaard, three players so vital to their clubs and all having a wonderful season, it’s hard to put anyone else in there over them.

Up top, we have a front three of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Erling Haaland as all three players have had goals, influence, and star power in their clubs to push them to the very top this season.

The substitutes include top of the league goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, which seems harsh to leave him out of the starting squad but up against Nick Pope, either could go in and it would be a good decision, but Ramsdale just makes it onto our bench.

Ben Mee has had a cracking season with Brentford seeing them looking set to enjoy a top half finish with him at the heart of defence. Luke Shaw gets on the bench after a solid season under Ten Hag at United.

Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Martinelli, and Harry Kane are the remaining players on the bench, all have had a fantastic season but unfortunately only make the bench for this squad.

Roberto De Zerbi is the manager of the season for us, having joined Brighton in September following Graham Potter’s departure, many thought this spelt the end of Brighton’s good fortunes in the Premier League, but not only did De Zerbi do better than expected of him, he has taken a very good Brighton and Hove Albion team and improved them navigating them to a top half finish.

Manchester City only see two players in this team, although they have had a great season, the rotation of the team sees a great team instead of individual players, which is a testament to how Pep Guardiola wants his teams to be.

 

Premier League 22/23 Team of the Season:

Nick Pope (GK), Kieran Trippier, William Saliba, Sven Botman, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Casemiro, Kevin De Bruyne, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Erling Haaland.

Subs:

Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Ben Mee, Luke Shaw, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexis Mac Allister, Gabriel Martinelli, Harry Kane

Manager: Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton)

 

Who would you put in your Premier League Team of the Season – Let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

 

Share
Continue Reading

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Trending