The Newcastle United Blog

News, Views and Comment On Newcastle United Football Club By Ed Harrison, A Proud Geordie And Lifelong Fan

The Newcastle United Blog header image 2








← Players and Kinnear Deserve Plaudits For Gritty Performance Bassong Pushing For Left Back Starting Position →

Stephen Taylor Delighted With Performance

October 6th, 2008 by Ed Harrison · 70 Comments

Steven Taylor has every right to be delighted with his goal on Sunday, because it turned the game completely for Newcastle.



Steven Taylor - great goal yesterday

The England Under-21 captain had a slow start but then came into to his own, especially in the second half, when you could see grit and determination written all over the face of the 22 year-old.

You may criticize this lad, but it’s never that he doesn’t give his all for the Newcastle club, and it’s just great to see, as he sets a great example for the other players.

And 47% of our readers thought he was Newcastle’s best player yesterday - if you haven’t voted yet, please do.

Taylor told the Chronicle today:

“We can build on this now.” “It was vital to get that goal back just before half-time. It got the lads’ heads back up, which we needed.”“There is nothing worse than conceding two goals in the manner that we did.” “But we kept going and kept the ball.”

“It was a much better performance in the second half.” “It frustrated their fans and that was one of the most important things.” “We came back well and, in the end, we were unfortunate not to win the game.”

“It was a great ball by Geremi to the back stick, and I just managed to get my head on it and it crashed off the crossbar.” “I was delighted with that because I knew we were back in the game.” “The lads deserved it because they worked so hard.”

And then it was Taylor, of course, who set up the Damien Duff goal, and Steven was so cool on the bye line as he weighed up his options, after breaking the Everton offside trap. He picked out Damien Duff, and Duff hit it first time and crisply into the net, with his right foot – a great finish from the talented Irishman.

Taylor then talked about Newcastle’s second half display:

“The second half was just fantastic.” “We started well – I got down the wing and got the ball in.”

“Maybe I was lucky to be onside, but TV replays showed it was well onside afterwards.”“I just cut in and picked out Damien Duff, who finished it superbly.”

Taylor is now off with the England Under-21 side for their two-leg qualification games with Wales in the European Under-21 Championship play-offs.

Great performance from the young lad yesterday.

Comments very welcome.

Tags: Damien Duff · Geremi · Steven Taylor










70 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Thump // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:16

    So he should be. I think he played a great game.

  • 2 Joseph // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:20

    He seemed better suited at rb than he has at centre for quite a while. Perhaps he should look at a longer term switch over there.

  • 3 Ganiyu // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:20

    Man of the match.keep it up.

  • 4 chrissyboy // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:30

    ive allways said taylor is a great player,just he has a nack of letting himself down with stupid errors from time to time,i agree his determination gave the other lads belief against the toffees and if we keep plugging away we might just be better off than most think..only time will tell,,,KEEP UP THE GRAFT LADS..

  • 5 hitman // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:31

    taylor was a right back.best ive seen him play in awhile

  • 6 little willie // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:34

    He done well with the goal and assist but things like that are a bonus for a defender, he should be judged on what he did defensively and he put in an average performance at right back.

    Everton highlighted him as the weak link which is why the majority of their attacks (and both of their goals) came down his side.

  • 7 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:35

    Yesterday was the best I have seen Taylor play in 2 years, however he was still fairly poor defensively (both Everton’s goals came down the right), that is why he should not be a CB, but he is a good RB.

    Beye, Bassong and Coloccini have to play when fit, so we have 2 options:

    Beye-Bassong-Coloccini-Enrique

    or

    Taylor-Coloccini-Beye-Bassong

  • 8 hitman // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:36

    tom i blame colo for the second goal.

  • 9 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:38

    Partly, but where was Taylor to even try to stop the cross.

  • 10 Ganiyu // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:39

    Hope he would repeat what he did against everton

  • 11 ToonRich // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:43

    Tom,

    Taylor-Coloccini-Beye-Bassong…

    this sounds like a back 4 that could be worth trying together.

  • 12 Ganiyu // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:45

    Opponent Crosses cost ur most of our goals.the blame goes to the rb and the dm.

  • 13 Jack // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:48

    Tom, both goals were from a throw in, if I remember. Poor marking but not necessarily by Taylor. I’d assume his body would be marking a target from the throw, and Baines took them both.

    Butt at fault for the first, then Colo for second.

  • 14 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:54

    Onlyone problem, with that defense Tom,

    Beye is the type of defender who likes to dive into his challenges. It works well as a full back becaue he sends the ball out for a throw in…
    However if he makes those challenges in middle, the ball could rebound anywhere. We need a centre back that can make strong challenges and stay on his feet. I also dont think Beye is good enough in the air to defend in the middle. And if you had to pick a right back, Beye is by far the better player…
    Also the second goal was more Colos fault and Taylor cant be blamed for Butt hacking down someone in the area.
    Basically he is being attacked for no reason again…
    You cannot blame every goal we concede on Taylor.
    Players that play in the centre, be it defenders, midfielders and strikers need to develop a partnership and learn each others games.

    We need to let Colo and Taylor have time or Bassong and Colo and be consistant.
    Same with the full back and wing pairings, the need to form and understanding.
    Until we can be consistant with those positions we’ll never have fluidity in our side.

  • 15 Born Again Geordie // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:55

    I agree taylor did look good going forward but was not so hot at the defensive part of his game. But on the whole a massive improvement from his previous games this season !

  • 16 Born Again Geordie // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:56

    JJ

    Well said I agree - stability is the key. Pity we always seem to be blighted by injury !!!

  • 17 irish_al // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:58

    i agree, good post JJ

  • 18 Jude // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:59

    Played as right bacck for ma skul team lads…and trust me if a cross comes in from ur side, u are the one at fault..

    yeah those central midfielders have to deal wit it…but if the right back does enuf to stop such crosses…there is no goal

    Taylor’s fault…not collocini..colocinni was brilliant yesterday…..he needs more confidence and mastery of the english language.

    We give Taylor the praise for the goal…but the goal was made by geremi…and we say he cannot cross the ball…he won the ball…he run with the ball…he picked taylor at the far post…there was still a lot of work to do for Taylor but my greatest praise goes to geremi……didn’t he also make the second goal (i stand to be corrected)

  • 19 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:01

    Beye has played centre back a lot and done well.

    Id play:

    Beye-Bassong-Coloccini-Enrique

    JJ - I said Colo was shocking first half yesterday and I dont blame Taylor for every goal, but his defensive positioning is still awful and it drags our other players out of position.

  • 20 Born Again Geordie // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:02

    Jude - Taylor made the second goal mate

  • 21 Jude // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:07

    Thanx Born again Geordie…like i said..i stood to be corrected on who made the second goal…

    Tom_toon i totally agree with your defensive line up..i think it’s the best we have…as long as Enrique is fit

  • 22 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:08

    Far far as partnerships have looked:

    Bassong and N’Zogbia have looked promising…
    Beye and Jonas have looked good in preseason…
    Up front I honestly feel that Martins and Viduka have shown the most promise.
    Two partnerships that need to develop are Taylor and Coloccini and Guthrie and Barton when he returns…

  • 23 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:16

    I thought Enrique and N’Zogbia looked promising.

  • 24 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:17

    Im really excited to have Jonas back this weekend along with Beye. I think that should solidfy one side of the field.
    Im not sure about enrique because seems very injury prone. But Bassong and Nzogia look good on the left.
    Upfront Duff and Owen are probably our best starting fit partnership - I dont think Ameobi will ever be good enough.

  • 25 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:21

    Team for Man City:

    Given
    Beye-Coloccini-Bassong-Enrique
    Jonas-Guthrie-Butt-N’Zogbia
    Duff
    Owen

    Subs: Harper, Cacapa, Taylor, Geremi, Doninger, Xisco, Ameobi.

    Maybe replace Doninger with Lualua if fit.

  • 26 DanToon // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:22

    When is Joey Barton back, does anyone know??

  • 27 Ageordiedoonsooth // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:25

    Tom_Toon F*UCK OFF you really have it on for Taylor. Mark my words this kid will play for England. He is very similar to a young Tony Adams who was booed and the crowds used to make donkey noises at him when he was the same age as Taylor. He became one of the best centrebacks England have had & skippered his country.

  • 28 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:30

    Why should I care about how he is gonna be in about 2 years time, i care about now! And caring about now means he is not in our best back 4!

  • 29 Jude // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:33

    Barton is back after the man city game

    And i think Ameobi will come good…why are newcastle fans so negative…two times yesterday he cld have contributed to us winning

    Imagine if another time he does succeed to score and his confidence improves…he cld turn out to be the star we alwys hope he wld grow up into…

    sometimes newcastle fans i think are to blame….has anyone wondered why alwys he seems to be picked…why even KK was prepared to still have him around….why Kinnear thinks he cld be the next Fashanu…why he gets picked ahead of Xisco…he obviously is doin something in training that he doesnt bring to the pitch……………………..
    Do you know why…us? too much negativity…waiting for him to miss so we can boo……we all have to hope he improves..let’s try that for a change

  • 30 greg // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:33

    Off topic slightly, but quite interesting little article on Tottenham’s plight:

    http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenhams-key-men-dodge-the-blame-953097.html

    Doesn’t mention Newcastle, but it’s the same situation. Although theirs is worse as they’ve spent loads of money, not lost their manager, aren’t up for sale - so they’ve got no excuses.

    Woodgate, Modric… thinking twice now, are you?

  • 31 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:37

    Tom I’d go with your line up for Man City…
    Although Id love Barton to be in place of Butt…
    I can see Butt getting two yellows in this game because he is too slow for the skill of Elano, and Robinho. But hopefully he nailed a couple hard early challenges and scares them.

    Purely because of the make up of the Man City side, I’d play Coloccini in midfield instead of Butt:

    —————————-Given————————-

    Beye—Taylor (mrking Joe)—Bassong—Enrique

    ———————-Coloccini————————–

    —————Geremi———–Guthrie—————

    Jonas———————————————–Duff

    —————————Owen————————–

    Subs: Harper, Enrique, Casapa, N’Zogbia (to come on in second half for Duff), Ameobi, Xisco, Butt.

  • 32 Taiwantoon // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:40

    @Jude,

    We are not always negative. Shola could and should have contributed to us winning. I like the lad, but this is definately his last few chances. Take it or he will have to be replaced by someone who can consitently contribute to the team.

  • 33 Jude // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:42

    3-4 players back and the team looks totally different…one that can definitely challenge for a top-four place

    I hope for a manager like kinear with a good injury record like BSA..and expectant but patient fans…the Newcastle the giant will finally wake up….

    It doesn’t matter what management structure there is….with those 3 we will make it

  • 34 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:43

    Jude - I played a lot of cricket…

    In the nets I am invincible, nobody can get me out, and I have faced Andre Nel, and Shaun Pollock. But when I am on the pitch in a match, my nerves get the better of me. I cannot perform…
    Do you think I deserve a place in the South African cricket side because I am good in the nets… ?? (same argument)

  • 35 pak-toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:47

    JJ - is andre nel really the kind of twat that he seems on TV? I cant stand the sight of him for some reason

  • 36 Brave New Toon - Taylor is a legend // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:49

    JJ
    good call.. i was just about to say i’d play colo as def m, he passes the ball well.. and stays on his feet.
    altough i’m not as convinced as everybody else about bassong.. i’d like to see him at centre half again, and he’d cetainly get in my side before cacapa.
    Given
    Beye taylor bassong enrique
    Colo
    Guthrie n zogbia
    Duff Jonas
    Owen

  • 37 Terry // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:50

    What about Taylor as a replacement for the aging Butt, as a Def Mid any mistakes he does make would not be a definate goal scoring chance for the other team.

    Not sure about his range of passing though.

    Just a though, not sure how good he would be but would like to hear comments/ thoughts…

  • 38 Alex // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:50

    i cant wait to see Barton & Guthrie play together with Jonas & Nzogbia down the wings . This season will get back on track once everyone is fit , kinnear seems to have the same sort of morale lifting influence as Keegan and the second half yesterday proved that he can get his players to pass the ball on the ground and not just play the long ball . Bassong also looks like a quality signing

  • 39 Mikey24 // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:50

    Well I managed to get to this game but had to sit in the Everton supporters stand with my cousin and his little girl! I had to control every dam ounce of myself not to stand up and shout like a madman when we scored!

    Overall I thought our display was bloody good! Collocini (despite what people have been saying on here) had a very good game against a big strong striker like Yakubu. Marked him out of the game in the 2nd half. Taylor looked good down the left, Zoggy looked very very dangerous everytime he got the ball. Especially when he decided to play a more central role midway through the 2nd half. For me though the unsung hero was Guthrie. He worked his little socks off and on a number of occasions he played some lovely football and retained the ball brilliantly! Can see him/Barton making a very strong relationship if theyre allowed to play together.

    And good old Bambi came on and showed that he has a bit of spirit in him, we looked a lot better with him/Owen playing upfront, some nice touches and coulda scored. Shame cos he could be a big part of our season if he got a bit of confidence and finishing skill!

  • 40 Jude // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:50

    JJ u saw the newcastle team yesterday….

    Did they look a shade like what they did in the four matches before…even two goals down, and esp with Taylor’s goal they still played wiith so much belief…you know the ddiffference confidence……

    If a player is scared so much so that he doesn’t want to fail he won’t eva give his best….it’s just playing on a day u kknow scouts from big teams are watching you….you definnitely have to get over that fright..

    For so long we keep on callin him shite…maybe we deserve it..cuz we don’t speak anything positive about him…but if he starts believing he’s shite cuz of what we say, he won’t be able to try stuff he does on the training ground with 50K of us watching…

    JJ before u bring up this argument..put urself in his position….will u be able to play?

  • 41 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:53

    Pak-Toon

    Andre Nel’s aggression is very much tongue in cheek.
    He is not a bad bloke but just typical of a certain type of South African.
    We are very intergrated in our culture and certain races/ or people of cultural background may come across as stupid or strange at first but turn out to be something totally different.
    I think hes a good fun guy but unfortunately not the sharpest tool in the box. : )

  • 42 Ally // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:55

    JJ which SA cricketer are you mate

  • 43 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 17:58

    No, I wouldnt be able to play… whether on the cricket field or football field confidence is a huge factor. I think with age it gets easier and it makes sense why certain people are late bloomers…
    But self confidence is as much a skill as ability and Ameobi just doesnt have it.
    Look at someone like Dirk Kuyt, the lad has been slated yet, he hasnt let it get to him… he just puts in more and more effort to prove his doubters wrong.
    I would have him in my side anyday because even though hes not scoring, his workrate is just phenominal …. its inspirational…
    Ameobi just never looks up for it….

    Either his confidence is too low and so he plays badly, or his confidence is too high so he doenst put in the effort…

  • 44 Shot Bru! // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:00

    JJ you mean he’s a Dutchman lol

  • 45 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:01

    Lol, Ally Im not a SA cricketer mate, Ive just batted in the nets with some of the guys at club level…
    I made provicial level as a leg spin bowler as a youngster but broke my wrist play fighting with a friend and have never been able to get it back.

  • 46 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:02

    Well not all Afrikaans people are like him but yes, Shot Bru I believe Andre is a typical Boksburg Dutchman… ; )

  • 47 Ally // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:03

    lolright mate, bet it was a great experience batting against shaun pollock, did u get anything to hit lol?

  • 48 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:03

    But I must give it to them… nobody knows how to party like a dutchman from Boksburg : )

  • 49 Jude // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:04

    Spot on…Mickey24…sori u had to keep ur emotions in for a whole match…in 2 weeks u get to shout ur intestines out at fort St. James

    …With Owen, Bambi, Nzog, Guthri, Jonas, Beye and co all in attendance…..yipee!!!!

  • 50 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:04

    Ally

    No mate, I got plenty to block… The guy is like facing a bowling machine on a perfect length..

  • 51 Ally // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:06

    lol class JJ, i could imagine!

  • 52 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:08

    And although he is slow internationally … trust me,,, 130km/h is not slow in my standards…
    I think if I had to face Brett Lee in the nets I’d need 6 pairs of underpants and an ambulance on stand-by. Even if he didnt hit me I’d probably have a heart attack…

  • 53 Shot Bru! // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:11

    I”ll probably get hammered for this but Ameobi isn’t that bad a squad member. I think he has evetually got over his hip injury which he got when Souness was in charge, he would do a job coming on as a sub to shake things up a bit for the last half hour, bit like he did yesterday.

  • 54 pak-toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:12

    i would compare pollock to kuyt. the work ethic is there. the skill is there. but nothing to show for it anymore. no results. pollock was great 3-4 years ago but he just hasn’t been the same since wickets started getting tame and pace was the key to getting batsmen out

  • 55 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:16

    Pak-Toon

    I agree and so does he - thats why he retired ; )

    Shot Bru

    Ameobi can perfom a substitute role but he is never going to be the 20 goal a season striker everyone was building him up to be…

  • 56 pak-toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:18

    lol jj i lost interest in cricket since pakistan cricket began spiraling downwards lol

    somehow ive never had that problem with the toon - there’s always hope :D

  • 57 Shot Bru! // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:23

    JJ, i agree, but he does offer something different as a sub, on his day he holds the ball up well, is difficult to knock off the ball, maybe JK is working on toughening him up, making him a bit nastier.

  • 58 Rasko a.k.a Hadji // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:33

    Team for Man City

    ………………………..Given……………………………….
    Beye……….Coloccini…….Taylor………….Enrique

    …………………………. Butt……………………………….

    Jonas………………….Guthrie……………….N’Zogbia

    …………………..Owen………….Duff……………………

  • 59 Rasko a.k.a Hadji // Oct 6, 2008 at 18:36

    Oooops sorry…..Bassong instead Enrique

  • 60 neeraj // Oct 6, 2008 at 19:12

    how was the first goal taylor’s fault….
    he was marking pinear, he cant mark every player who comes from that flank….
    geremi allowed the ball to play through and butt did the rest …

    and the second goal was from a cross, if he would be able to block all crosses, then he is the best defender in the world….

    he had a grt game both offensively and defensivel, he had good interception on pineear and ran with yakubu when ball was lose….

    give the guy break, he has scored the most important goal and assisted another important goal….

    he was grt yesterday….

    and expecting more from taylor

  • 61 Punk Skunk // Oct 6, 2008 at 19:20

    The 1st goal was the fault of the refs ass. for not raisin’ a flag for offside, before they got the pen!..
    …Same team as tom toon with the exception of Given…Get Harper in there!..

  • 62 Craigg // Oct 6, 2008 at 19:54

    Well said Neeraj

    For some reason every problem is chucked at Taylors door when Coloccini and Cacapa our experienced, quality, south american centre halves are for an unknown reason safe from any criticism they deserve.

    Coloccini and Cacapa should be bossing the young lads about and leading by exaple.

    Taylor, Bassong, Enrique and Edgar should be excused silly mistakes as they are all young talented lads with big futures who like all people in any job will learn in time and achieve perfection.

    Whereas Coloccini and Cacapa should be round about perfection now.
    (Cacapa should have reached it a while back)
    And should make a very rare few errors over the course of the season, Ala Ferdinand and Vidic, Terry and Carvalho ETC.

    Just give the young boys time and we will have some superstars on our hands.

  • 63 FARTY // Oct 6, 2008 at 20:16

    ONE GOOD GAME DOESNT MAKE UP FOR SOME OF THE CRAP GAMES TAYLOR HAS PLAYED THIS SEASON.STILL MAKES TO MANY ERRORS.

  • 64 Dan13 // Oct 6, 2008 at 20:55

    An interesting question here I seen on another website which suprisingly a lot of people favoured Kinnear now.

    Kinnear for keeps or Keegan?
    I’m personally opting for Kinnear now lol,
    I think this King Kev ‘watch this space’ rubbish is just that.
    By all means Kev is a great man and manager, just I believe we need that bit fiestyness and agression, So you could also say Joe could give that.
    Arrrr my heart says Keegan(not in a gay way)
    But my head says Kinnear.

    Decide amongst yourselfs…

  • 65 hitman // Oct 6, 2008 at 21:14

    dan, none of them get van gaal in,hes my choice.

  • 66 kizza // Oct 6, 2008 at 21:17

    i personally think ameobi played good yestesday and was very unselfish and wise…i never fort i would ever say that sentence…but there it is

  • 67 kizza // Oct 6, 2008 at 21:18

    did you lot see the fans faces when ameobi got subbed on… it was soooo funny. they were gutted

  • 68 chrisbx1 // Oct 7, 2008 at 0:48

    i voted for taylor as man of the match but before he turned up on the back left post all of evertons play was down our right, dont think his future lies as right back .was well impressed with his attitude when we went 2-0 down tho got ,the bull between the horns and was nice to see a bit of confidence back.

  • 69 chrisbx1 // Oct 7, 2008 at 1:00

    to add to my post i honestly tink taylor finally reaslised that the best line of defence is ATTACK

  • 70 ariel7 // Oct 7, 2008 at 5:24

    ————————- Owen————
    ———- Duff—————————-
    Zogbia ——— Guthrie ——– Jonas
    ————– Geremi ——————–
    Bassong— Colo —Taylor——Beye
    —————– Given ——————-










Leave a Comment