I’ll show Watt I can do, says Kell
KELL Watts wants to show what he is capable of and prove he is worthy of consideration for a squad place at Newcastle United.
The academy graduate played the full 90 minutes in the Magpies’ opening pre-season friendly on Saturday, a 5-1 win over neighbours and National League side Gateshead.
Eddie Howe rotated his side significantly, almost fielding an entirely different XI in each half against Mike Williamson’s outfit.
This means Watts was able to get some time playing with the majority of the club’s squad and stake a claim for a larger role in the future.
“It was brilliant,” he told nufc. co.uk. “Obviously, I got told before the game I’d be playing 90 minutes and I was happy to get more minutes on the pitch and to show the lads how much I’ve improved from my loan spell last year, to show the manager and staff what I’ve got.
“I’m feeling good. I’ve been looking after myself during the offseason ready to hit the ground running, as all the lads have been to be fair. It was good, I thought we controlled the ball really well.
“Second half it was a new team out and we hit them on the break from a compact shape which we’ve worked on in training, being compact, sliding across the pitch and the distances.
“Then when we did win it, we’ve got the pace, ability to open up Gateshead and get some goals in.
“We’ve got loads of ability going forward but one of the big things I’ve learned with Burny [Dan Burn] and Jamaal [Lascelles] is that when that’s going on you need to be organised.
“At times that’ll go in the back of the net but other times when it doesn’t go quite right, we’re ready to make sure we’re on the front foot and win it.
“That was one thing, especially second half I thought I got more rhythm doing it and with Burny there, always making sure we were set behind the ball.”
Watts operated in his natural position at left centre-half alongside Lascelles before moving over to the right following the introduction of Burn.
“I don’t mind [playing on the left or the right in central defence],” he said. “Pulling on this strip I’ll play anywhere but it was good first-half with Jamaal on the left where I could step in a little bit more and show my range of passing.
“Second half with Burny, obviously I just kept things simple on my right, still setting him when I could. We’ve got good players looking after the ball in midfield, Matty [Longstaff] in holding midfield just lending him the ball, playing with him since I’ve been a kid I know what he can do on it.”
Watts has had four loan spells away from the club in three years with Stevenage, Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and most recently a title-winning season with Wigan Athletic.
The Newcastle defender was a mainstay in the Latics side that romped to the League One title and he believes it’s played a huge part in shaping his development.
He said: “I enjoyed my time at Wigan winning the league. It’s the best thing you can do in football, winning leagues and winning trophies, that’s what I want to do. Coming back here it’s been the same as every year. Working as hard as I can and taking each day as it comes.
“I know it’s a bit cliche but it’s all I can do. Put my best foot forward, not overthink things, just play my game. I’ve developed as a player from my first loan when I was 18 to now. Playing a lot of games and getting that winning mentality with Wigan, it was a great group of lads and staff as well.
“Being back here and just enjoying it. Enjoying the place and working with the new staff, learning every day so I can’t complain.
“Thinking back to my first loan spell from this last one, I’m a much more confident centre-half.”