When Steven Taylor was injured and missed his first game at Fulham, Newcastle went down to defeat by 2-1 and most of us thought at the time that if Steven had been playing, we would not have lost that game.
Seven Taylor – take a leaf out of Duff’s book
But since that game Taylor’s deputy Sebastien Bassong has been outstanding in the Newcastle defense, and Steven has had to warm the bench over these last few games, since he returned to fitness.
And that game was the last time Newcastle conceded an away goal, when former Liverpool star Danny Murphy blasted in the match-winning penalty for Fulham after 66 minutes
But Joe Kinnear still has confidence in Steven Taylor, but he says the center-half must wait his turn for an opportunity:
“Tayls is a good player, but he should take a leaf out of Damien Duff’s book.”
“Duff was always in the team when I got here, but he got injured and was out for two weeks, and Charles N’Zogbia came in and did well.”
“It’s hard for both Taylor and Duff to get back in again, but I have to take on board who we’re playing before I select the side.”
Joe has promised he will have no favorites and that players will need to earn their place in the side, and he seems to be sticking to that promise.
One area of the team that Joe has had a dramatic impact on is our defense, and he drills the defense for four days a week in different situations during training, so that their covering and link-up play becomes second nature.
Certainly the way the lads have defended since Fulham has been very good, and they will need to be at their best again at Wigan on Boxing Day, if we are to get another 3 points, which has to be the target.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
neeraj
Dec 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Comment #1i have a feeling
theres going to be a lot of discussion in this thread
Toon Graeme
Dec 24, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Comment #2Bassong stepped upto the plate – nuff said.
Tom_Toon
Dec 24, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Comment #3Thank God Taylor is out the team, just think of how many goals we would have conceeded with him in the team!
SAMTHECAT
Dec 24, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Comment #4I think Taylor has to up his game and he can either do that or take the huff and want to leave,im all for competition for places.
FaroeMagpie
Dec 24, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Comment #5I think Taylor is overrated. Merry X-mas everybody
arnie
Dec 24, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Comment #6Taylor has a big heart, but lacks composure and positional sense to be a really good central defender. Bassong still has a lot to learn, but his skills in one-on-one-situations are brilliant. If he continues his development theres no room for Taylor, and we really dont miss him, do we?
Merry Christmas everyone.
John
Dec 24, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Comment #7Football is all about opportunity and you have to grab when it comes along. Bassong has performed fantastic since getting into the side in his favaourite position and his understanding with Collo, Beye and Jose is making Newcastle a solid outfit. Taylor must concentrate on his positional play because he gets out of position too many times. He no doubt will get a chance if there are injuries but he has to keep fighting. Our back four are tremendous and getting better which is just what we all wanted for Xmas.
Cypriot TOON
Dec 24, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Comment #8If bassong plays better why change u dnt give any1 a run out on their name but on their current form, 2-0 against wigan come on.
Merry Christmas
Christoon
Dec 24, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Comment #9i’m so glad a manager was finally willing to drop the hand ball magnet steven taylor. Don’t get me wrong he can be world class but then he can make the biggest ass out of himself and lose the game for us. Ive always said over the last few seasons our defense has been week, and the only common factor in that is taylor, everyone else has changed, and the instant he’s dropped…BOOM our defense has tightened up.
Maybe this spell out in the cold will improve him…either that or he’s on his way to the spuds lol…
Whumpie
Dec 24, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Comment #10I think Taylor will do exactly what Duff has done – wait it out until either Colo or Basso get injured, then come in and remind us that he’s actually a very good centre-back… albeit with some creases that need ironing out.
I also believe that JFK is exactly the coach he needs to address those problems, so we have exactly what we’ve needed for ages: 3 good CBs competing for 2 places.
Now all we need is the same for full-backs and we’re sorted.
Stardust
Dec 24, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Comment #11The fact is Taylor unsettles every player around him and makes potentially great partners become a bundle of nerves and lose composure – thereon confidence.
This is simply caused by his attrocious positional sense. For me he is at least our fourth choice CB.
Dont want him anywhere near the team.
Lawman
Dec 25, 2008 at 3:39 AM
Comment #12I think Taylors is a good player but on his off days (too many in my opinion) he’s really bad. Too many little basic mistakes which have ended up costing us precious points.
Bassong has been excellent since stepping in and has been more than up to the challenge. Our defence just seems more solid as a unit with Bassong playing and long may that continue.