Kell Watts has expressed his delight at playing a full 90 minutes for Newcastle United in their opening pre-season fixture with National League side Gateshead. Eddie Howe named two strong sides to face Mike Williamson's outfit, with Watts the only player to feature for the full game.
"Yeah 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 who I've just started working with just what I've got.
"I'm feeling good. I've been looking after myself during the off-season 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.
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"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 Jamaal Lascelles before moving over to the right following the introduction of Dan Burn. "I don't mind [playing right or left centre-half]," 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 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 cliché but it's all I can do. Put my best foot forward, not overthink things, not over impress 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 - over 100 appearances - I'm much more confident centre-half. Going away to Wigan and getting that medal and promotion, you can't take that away from me and I just want to kick on now and see where that takes me."
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