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.
70 comments so far
Thump
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Comment #1So he should be. I think he played a great game.
Joseph
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Comment #2He 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.
Ganiyu
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Comment #3Man of the match.keep it up.
chrissyboy
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Comment #4ive 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..
hitman
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Comment #5taylor was a right back.best ive seen him play in awhile
little willie
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Comment #6He 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.
Tom_Toon
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Comment #7Yesterday 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
hitman
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Comment #8tom i blame colo for the second goal.
Tom_Toon
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Comment #9Partly, but where was Taylor to even try to stop the cross.
Ganiyu
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Comment #10Hope he would repeat what he did against everton
ToonRich
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Comment #11Tom,
Taylor-Coloccini-Beye-Bassong…
this sounds like a back 4 that could be worth trying together.
Ganiyu
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Comment #12Opponent Crosses cost ur most of our goals.the blame goes to the rb and the dm.
Jack
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Comment #13Tom, 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.
JJ
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Comment #14Onlyone 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.
Born Again Geordie
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Comment #15I 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 !
Born Again Geordie
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Comment #16JJ
Well said I agree – stability is the key. Pity we always seem to be blighted by injury !!!
irish_al
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Comment #17i agree, good post JJ
Jude
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Comment #18Played 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)
Tom_Toon
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Comment #19Beye 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.
Born Again Geordie
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Comment #20Jude – Taylor made the second goal mate
Jude
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Comment #21Thanx 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
JJ
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Comment #22Far 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…
Tom_Toon
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Comment #23I thought Enrique and N’Zogbia looked promising.
JJ
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Comment #24Im 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.
Tom_Toon
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Comment #25Team 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.
DanToon
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Comment #26When is Joey Barton back, does anyone know??
Ageordiedoonsooth
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Comment #27Tom_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.
Tom_Toon
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Comment #28Why 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!
Jude
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Comment #29Barton 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
greg
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Comment #30Off 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?
JJ
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Comment #31Tom 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.
Taiwantoon
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Comment #32@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.
Jude
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Comment #333-4 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
JJ
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Comment #34Jude – 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)
pak-toon
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Comment #35JJ – is andre nel really the kind of twat that he seems on TV? I cant stand the sight of him for some reason
Brave New Toon - Taylor is a legend
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Comment #36JJ
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
Terry
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Comment #37What 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…
Alex
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Comment #38i 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
Mikey24
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Comment #39Well 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!
Jude
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Comment #40JJ 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?