Kelland Watts has gotten off to a great start with Plymouth Argyle in League One this season. It’s his third loan move after having very successful spells with both Stevenage and Mansfield Town last season.
Unfortunately, his stint with The Stags was cut short due to the coronavirus lockdown in March and he ended up with just 8 appearances.
However, Watts gained valuable experience as Steve Bruce kept the 20-year-old with the first team to train. That culminated in his Newcastle debut in our final game of last season against Liverpool when he came on for Danny Rose late in the second half.
Now Kelland is testing his mettle at the League One level with Plymouth. He’s getting a ton of first-team experience so far. Watts has played every minute for The Pilgrims in the league as well as starting both of their Carabao Cup matches.
The Alnwick-born defender has spoken to Plymouth Live about how things are going for him in the south-west:
“In the north-east, it’s not doing the best at the minute (with COVID-19) so I’m not really going back home, I’m just staying down in Plymouth.
“I’m concentrating on all the games and just speaking on Facetime to my family and friends.
“It’s a long way from home but I have got to go for my football career.
“The way the Gaffer plays, the patterns of play that we use, the fanbase as well, it was a massive pull.
“It didn’t really faze me. I had been on loan a couple of times last year, living away from home, so it was fine.”
“Unfortunately, with the circumstances, I haven’t actually been able to play in front of a full Home Park.
“Hopefully, that day will come very soon, which I’m looking forward to massively.
“I want to play as much as I can, to learn from the boys – there are some great players in the team – and I’m always learning off great staff.
“I keep battering them with questions because I just want to be better.
“Team-wise, I want us to put a stamp on League One. The way we play is exciting football and we have managed to get a couple of sheets at home as well.
“The goals for the season is to keep as many clean sheets as we can, win games at Home Park and do well away from home as well.”
This is an excellent opportunity for Watts, who signed a three-year contract to 2023 last October, to improve with Plymouth. When Kell returns next summer, he could have a chance to make the Newcastle squad for next season. He’ll be 21 by then and is one of our top young prospects.
23 comments so far
geordie157
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:07 PM
Comment #125 man squad then
1 Dubravka
2 Darlow
3 Gillespie
4 Manquillo
5 Kraft
6 Lascelles
7 Fernandez
8 Schar
9 Clark
10 Dummett
11 Lewis
12 Ritchie
13 Murphy
14 Fraser
15 Hayden
16 Shelvey
17 S.Longstaff
18 Saint-Maximin
19 Joeltinon
20 Almiron
21 Wilson
22 Carroll
23 Gayle
Assuming Gayle included, that leaves 2 spots between Yedlin, Atsu, Saivet, Aarons and Lazaar.
Atsu seems to be heading out today. Yedlin will prob stay for now.
So who’s the 25th does Saivet get a reprive until Jan, Lazaar is a longshot but offers left back cover. Aarons isn’t needed.
Or
Are we saving a place for a Welbeck or Sturridge to give us a bit more striker depth.
Hope it’s the latter but we’d be daft to register 24 players and not sign anyone!
geordie157
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:10 PM
Comment #2On Watts, I really rate this lad. He should develop a lot this season and league one is a decent standard to do so.
Will be interesting to see how Young does at Tranmere too. Good to see we’ve got a few out on loan, with Anderson I imagine staying for now but earning some high praise recently, so fingers crossed.
Hoping Ed/Neil add Sangare at last to the transfer table though…..
geordie157
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Comment #3Just me then…
team for Man Utd
Darlow
Manquillo, Lascelles, Fernandez, Lewis
Hayden, Shelvey
Fraser, ASM, Joelinton
Wilson
Subs
Gillespie, Kraft, Schar, .S.Longstaff, Murphy, Almiron, Carroll
The 3 behind Wilson can all change positions during the game and Almiron can be used as an impact sub.
Attack Bruce attack!!!
geordie157
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:17 PM
Comment #4right gonna pop on Led Zeppelin II or Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon or Pearl Jam Ten, and see how far through it i can get before someone else comments on here…
WLtoon
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #5Why is it when anyone does`nt predict a win for Toon they are called pessimists?
We play Manure tomorrow, they have better players and will be favourites whether we like it or not.
It does`nt seem to make much difference to some fans who we play, they will always have their blinkers on. Its Toon or nothing, do or die.
I went for a win v Burnley, why, bcos i think we are better than them, tomorrow however is a different kettle of fish.
lesh
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Comment #6And that’s it from me.
Wor Bairle
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:23 PM
Comment #7Geordie157
Good team, Lewis needs to apply some discipline, if he bombs forward with abandon and there’s no cover we could be punished.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:25 PM
Comment #8Bus ran over my toes there! 🙂
Lesh
Thanks for asking.
He’s doing a lot of free on line courses and he managed to blag 3 months free from one site cos of his redundancy. Is prepared to pay the fees to continue but they are quite low compared to any Uni courses.
He has certification from all of them, 13 so far.
He’s working up to eight hours a day and treating it like a job and is very optimistic (that word again ? ) about his prospects.
His partner is a very good artist and an unexpected opportunity has come her way so we’re keeping everything crossed! ?
Wor Bairle
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:26 PM
Comment #9WL toon
Sorry I missed your post last night, yes I’d had a couple of socially distanced beers after golf, hope I didn’t offend anyone. 😀
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #10Lesh/WL
I think we do have the players to beat most teams and I don’t think ManUre are that good any more.
And at the risk of courting some scathing reply’s I think Brucie is a better manager than Solscar.
WLtoon
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:31 PM
Comment #11Wor Bairle,,
Good , it`s all good craic m8
Rotonda heights
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:32 PM
Comment #12EGB
I think with a more attack minded positive manager we could really have a crack at Manu. It’s amazing how we now have Almiron, Fraser, Joelinton and Hendrick who could all play the one position. Sadly I think we’ll sit off as per and Hendrick will play.
peter5199
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Comment #13Bunga Bunga, I agree with what you said ref Billy Joel. Play him where he is comfortable and we will have an entirely different player
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:35 PM
Comment #14Games in the EPL now have six officials for each of them with the addition of VAR.
Still can’t decisions right though!
peter5199
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:35 PM
Comment #15Bill, definitely a better centre half.
Am I right in thinking he never got an England cap? Nearly as stupid as Supermac scoring 5 and never playing for England again (whilst at Toon)
WLtoon
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:35 PM
Comment #16EGB,
I agree that we have players to hurt most teams, the problem is, most of the time we don`t, bcos of Bruce and his tactics, or lack of them.
Wor Bairle
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:36 PM
Comment #17EGB
#10 you could well be right, though it’s not a very high bar.
peter5199
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Comment #18WL come on…. Bruce has his tactics… Sit back, allow the other team to attack and hope for the best.
Our last game was a classic. Play really well, 1/2 time talk and come out and do 15 mins defending the 6 yard box.
peter5199
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:39 PM
Comment #19BUnga Bunga… Left hand side of midfield, as we have a decent winger or two out wider
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:39 PM
Comment #20Geordie157
Well the loan window closes today so unless there’s any last minute additions you might well see Saivet added to the squad.
As I mentioned earlier it looks like he’s training with the 1st team.
So who knows he might become a swan! 🙂
peter5199
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:43 PM
Comment #21Rotound person. (just joking) I agree. If we go for it and get beat 5-0 so be it. But I agree with you, if we go for it we will probably win. If we sit back with a 10-0-0 lineup and coach and minibus parked, we will lose because manure will score
peter5199
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:44 PM
Comment #22Bill! If he becomes a swan I may make it to ugly duckling. I do not think either is likely
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 16, 2020 at 12:46 PM
Comment #23Peter5199
‘Bill, definitely a better centre half.
Am I right in thinking he never got an England cap? Nearly as stupid as Supermac scoring 5 and never playing for England again (whilst at Toon)’
Sorry but is that an answer to me? If so I’m confused!