Former Newcastle United defender Matt Targett has opened up on his 'difficult' spell at the club after sealing a return to the Premier League with newly-promoted Hull City.
Return to the top flight
The left-back will be back playing in the top flight this season after signing for Hull City. Targett joins the Tigers after they pipped him to promotion in the play-off final when he was on loan with Middlesbrough.
The 31-year-old will bring some much-needed Premier League experience to his new side, having parted company with the Magpies this summer at the end of his contract.
Reflecting on his time at Newcastle
Targett admits he loved his time on Tyneside, despite falling down the pecking order in the last couple of years of his contract, but says he found life 'tough' towards the end after suffering a number of injuries that restricted his ability to get back into Eddie Howe's plans.
"It was really tough," he said. "When I first joined, we were in a relegation battle, and then we ended up staying up comfortably, and then the season after, the progression just went through the roof."
"We ended up qualifying for the Champions League, and then two really bad injuries that kind of set me back quite a lot, and the team just kept progressing, so for me personally, it was really difficult to get in."
"As a club, as a city, as a whole football team, the fan base, everything, it was incredible to see the support that they showed us, and how well the team did for them."
Career at St James' Park
Targett was one of Howe's first signings in the January transfer window after the manager took over and PIF bought the club. Signed initially on loan from Aston Villa, he played a key role in helping United avoid relegation before making his move permanent for £13million.
But the defender only made another 22 appearances across the next four years for the Magpies, although he did feature in a couple of Champions League games, as injuries and Howe's preference for first Dan Burn and then Lewis Hall at left-back.
And he admits he was shocked to see his old boss quit the club after five years in charge, but believes he will bounce back - and thinks he would be the perfect fit for England.
"Yeah, I was surprised Howe left," Targett added. "Really good, a great coach, very hands-on, likes to take the day sessions, really demanding, speaks really well."
"He was a really good manager. In my view, potentially the next England manager, he's that good. I think he just improves every player that he works with. He's very demanding; he has a certain way of playing, so yeah, I think it's a perfect fit, especially with the current England team. I think he would do amazing."
