Middlesbrough told Newcastle United's Matt Targett will bring key trait Boro have been "crying out for" | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has been discussing Boro's imminent signing of Newcastle United defender, Matt Targett.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Middlesbrough are set to sign Newcastle United defender Matt Target on a season-long loan deal.

How the opening few weeks of the 2025/26 season has changed the mood for the better on Teesside.

After a feeling of apathy had crept in following Boro's 10th-placed finish in the Championship last season, the Rob Edwards era has birthed a renewed appetite and optimism from Boro fans for their football club.

The Teessiders have enjoyed a perfect start to the new season, with a win on the road at Norwich City on Saturday making it three wins from three in the league so far.

And with the transfer window closing on 1 September, Boro and Edwards are looking set to bolster their already strong squad even further.

"Exactly what he brings" - Middlesbrough handed Matt Targett transfer verdict

The Northern Echo have confirmed that Newcastle United defender Matt Targett is set to join Boro on a season-long loan deal, and could even go straight into the team for Middlesbrough's clash with Sheffield United at the weekend.

We asked our Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam Day: 'Middlesbrough are reportedly set to sign Matt Targett on loan from Newcastle - thoughts? He's played just five times in the Premier League over the last two seasons. Does the left-back's lack of action in recent times concern you, or do you think his pedigree should make him a bit of a standout player at Championship level?'

Liam said: "I think it's a good signing, personally.

"He's got Premier League experience, Championship promotion experience. I think it's a good signing.

"Sammy Silvera has been decent enough, but you've got a mentor now in Matt Targett who can teach him more of the defensive side of the game, whilst Silvera can keep on improving in the attacking side.

"Targett can also help us to see out games when we need to. Games like Norwich for example, when we just need to hold on, you can bring him on and he'll be solid.

"He's got the experience, and fans have been crying out for leadership, and that's exactly what he brings.

"So I'm quite content with the signing, personally. I'm not that concerned by his lack of games. He's been training with Newcastle, so he might need a few games to get match fit.

"But I think everything should be sound really."

Matt Targett will add some key elements to Middlesbrough's side

As Liam referenced, current starting left wing-back Sammy Silvera has done an admirable job operating on the left flank of Middlesbrough's defence.

The Australian is a winger by trade, and appeared destined for the exit door this summer after returning to Teesside following to very underwhelming loan stints with Portsmouth and Blackpool last season respectively.

However, his performances in the early exchanges of the current campaign has seen him reignite his Riverside career, and at the very least, the 24-year-old now looks to provide Edwards with a more than capable backup in that position who can continue to push for starting opportunities.

That's because at 29 and with over 160 appearances at Premier League level on his CV, Targett won't be swapping Tyneside for Teesside to simply sit on the bench and make up the numbers for Middlesbrough.

And whilst Silvera has more than held his own at left wing-back, Edwards will know that Targett being left-footed as opposed to Silvera being right-footed, could provide him with a real tactical bonus weapon on the left flank.

It will naturally give Boro more width, as Silvera does like to cut in on his stronger right foot, whilst also unlocking new crossing opportunities and passing windows thanks to Targett's preferred foot.

The former Aston Villa, Southampton and Fulham man is well versed in defence too, and again whilst Silvera has not let himself down by any means in that department, the former England youth international should provide more assurance and confidence in that regard.

However, Edwards will need horses for courses in every position, and coupling up the perhaps more defensively sound Targett with the more direct and attacking threat of Silvera will ensure the Boro boss has numerous ways of finding joy down that left side, as well as some critically important strength in depth.