Matt Targett hopes he has made a lasting impression on Ronald Koeman after one of his finest performances in a Saints shirt.

Targett was in the side as a left wing back against Watford, supplied the cross for Shane Long’s opener, and was on great form throughout the match.

The 20-year-old is now hoping he can keep his place against West Brom tomorrow, even though there is a chance Saints could revert to a back four.

He said: “It offers me a lot more license to get forward, get some crosses in, get into the box, get some shots and stuff like that.

“He (Koeman) also wants us to defend as a five too, so it’s a lot more hard-work, but a very enjoyable position.

“At the moment the gaffer’s put me in for the last couple of games and I just have to show to him that I’m ready to play, so for when he does put me in the starting 11, I’m ready.

“It’s good to give a good impression.”

Targett certainly has a tough job on his hands to get into the side as a regular left back, with England international Ryan Bertrand ahead of him.

“Ryan’s a top-class left back, he’s an England international,” said Targett.

“But, I also learn off him which is good.

“We’ve added a lot more players over the summer, so I think it’s more difficult for players like me, Prowsey and the academy boys coming up to come through at the moment.

“But when we get the chance to play or training with the first team, it’s important that we set a good impression for the manager.”

Targett was delighted that Saints managed to end their recent poor form with victory over Watford, and is hoping they can push on with another home game in such quick succession.

“It’s a result that we needed. It was a good solid performance and hopefully we can kick on now and get another three points on Saturday,” reflected Targett.

“They’ll be very hard to break down, they defend well as a team but hopefully we can move the ball quickly and break them down.

“There’s no better feeling than winning games. Everyone’s happy, so we’ll do a debrief on the game. We can see what we’ve done well and what we haven’t done well and work on it on Saturday.”

Playing with three centre halves is an option that Koeman may use more in the future, and it’s one they have been working hard on getting right.

“We’ve been working on that formation for the last couple of weeks and we’ve started to learn it and I’m enjoying it,” he insisted.

“Maybe (we will keep it), it’s up to the gaffer but it’s good to know a different formation.

“It’s new to all of us but hopefully we can keep working at it and it should be alright.”