When Newcastle started the season back in August, it was thought that Fab Coloccini and Steven Taylor would be the number one choices at center-back, with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa pushing for a place, and with Mike Williamson likely not to get many games at all this season as the 4th choice center-back, but it hasn’t turned out that way.
Steven Taylor – 4th choice center-back?
And after Steven was sent off in the first half of our first game at the Etihad Stadium in August, and then picked up yet another one of those hamstring injuries, he seems to be fourth choice at the moment, with big Mike Williamson and Colo the first choice at center-back.
And that first half at Manchester City is the only first team football Steven has had this season, and he hasn’t been on the bench in the last several games either.
Alan Pardew talked about Steven today, but seems non-committal as to when he could return to the first team:
“Steven’s a senior player at this football club,” “He’s trained very well, and is looking better.” “Obviously, he wants to be involved.” “He’s in the squad. He’s traveled, and we’ll see.”
Of course Mike Williamson has been a revelation this season, and is in the best form of his career, and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is fast acclimatizing to the rigors of the English Premier League, and is unlucky – based on his performances – not to still be in the starting eleven.
So Steven remains in 4th place in the pecking order of center-backs at St. James Park at the moment, which is one reason he doesn’t even make the bench.
And even though Steven made his league debut (at right-back) against Bolton in February of 2004 under the great Sir Bobby Robson, Steven has only played 236 times with 13 goals for the Newcastle first team since then – mainly due to the number of injuries he has picked up – especially over the last four years.
What do you think?
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11 comments so far
Ben3arfa
Dec 7, 2013 at 8:51 AM
Comment #1Tayls works hard but is sometimes just not good enough
Hatem's better than Messi
Dec 7, 2013 at 8:52 AM
Comment #2He needs to mature, this kick up the ass might do it.
Also the ungentlemanly conduct at free kicks makes him and a twat.
Hatem's better than Messi
Dec 7, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Comment #3and a twat … I typed look, I’m sure I typed look … and I though I’d switched off the bloody stupid auto-correcting software. Senile dementia … sorry lads.
jayphoto
Dec 7, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Comment #4Thing with Taylor is he’s no better a player now than he was 6/7 seasons ago! Still makes the same stupid rookie mistakes over and over again! If he were 19/20 hed be an exciting prospect but he should have developed into a worldclass centreback by now given his starting ability from when he broke into the 1st team
niafron
Dec 7, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Comment #5How many time since our last win at Old traford?
jayphoto
Dec 7, 2013 at 9:04 AM
Comment #6Hoping Moyes tries to play giggs ,cleverly and carrick central midfield today! If he does I think we should play a 4-5-1 with Sissoko right, Gouffran left and anita, tiote and cabaye cental and really overrun their ageing legs with high energy play and pressing! man utd are weakest in the middle of the park and an extra body in there could see us win the midfield battle
jayphoto
Dec 7, 2013 at 9:04 AM
Comment #7@niafrom 41 years….. (I think)
niafron
Dec 7, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Comment #841… So,it mean, during my WHOLE life, we never won at old Trafford?
Cantbuyye
Dec 7, 2013 at 9:16 AM
Comment #9Put a bet on Newcastle winning 3-2, Goofy score first, 400/1 put £5 on it. HWTL
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 7, 2013 at 9:17 AM
Comment #10Last win at old trafford came after a embarrassing deafeat v Hereford in the FA Cup – Ronnie Radford’s Screamer.
May be a repeat – would be nice
jayphoto
Dec 7, 2013 at 9:20 AM
Comment #11Alas non! Not in my life time have we had a better chamce than today though! No Rooney is a big boost because after bergkamp and liverpools michael owen i struggle to think of any player that loves playing us as much as rooney ! United are a wounded animal at the moment and Moyes is very conservative at the best of times! Really hope pardew sets the lads out to attack from the off! Moyes will try to keep it tight for the first half and if we get the first goal the crowd will get on man utds backs! Thatd be a bug pressure for them