“Hopefully, one day, I can play in derby matches for Newcastle against Sunderland, but to play against them for Argyle, I can’t wait.”
These were the words of NUFC talent Kell Watts – currently on loan at Plymouth – before he took on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last night.
Not only did Plymouth win the game 2-1 to put another dent in the Mackems’ play-off hopes, the Alnwick-born defender was praised for his outstanding display on the left-side of a back three, with many Argyle fans praising him on social media for his man of the match display.
Here’s a few outstanding stats from his display last night and loan spell in League One (via @ScoutNUFC), followed by some reactions to his performance from Plymouth supporters:
- Most headers won (6)
- Most tackles won (3)
- Most clearances (10)
- Most touches
- Most passes
- Most minutes of any outfield player for Plymouth this season (2009)
- Averages more passes per game than any other player
Plymouth fans then had this to say on social media about the 21-year-old’s display:
“Best I’ve seen him play for us. If he can keep those sort of performances up the lad will go far.”
“Good half that, Kell Watts has been superb.”
“Old school scrap in the mud, and I’m with you, Watts was awesome tonight.”
“Decent half, defending has been promising, Kell Watts been best player on the pitch.”
“Great player, who’s also not afraid to get forward and join the attack which is always good.”
“Kell Watts MOTM so far, absolutely unreal.”
“Whole team have been solid, especially Watts.”
“Kell Watts hates Sunderland, never seen him play so well.”
“You know you’ve won a game when you’ve got Kelland Watts doing skill move in the opponents box.”
Freddie Woodman aside – who has been keeping a ludicrous number of clean sheets for promotion chasing Swansea – I don’t think there’s a NUFC youngster who’s having a better spell out on loan than Kell Watts.
With a few of our senior centre-backs either entering the twilight years of their careers or coming to the end of their contracts, let’s hope he can follow in the footsteps of Elliot Anderson when he returns this summer.
Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE
