It seems like Steven Taylor is losing his battle to be fit for Newcastle United’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Steven Taylor -unlikely to play on Saturday at Chelsea
That’s the bad news this morning from the Newcastle camp as Taylor tries to recover from what was initially a slight stomach muscle strain that has kept him out of Newcastle last two games, and in which we have disappointingly picked up just a solitary point.
The 22 year-old local lad has yet to resume training and it looks very doubtful now that he will be able to line up on Saturday and young Sebastien Bassong will likely deputize again at the center of defense. But this will be a huge test for Newcastle’s inconsistent defense.
In fact it wouldn’t surprise us if Joe plumps for Charles N’Zogbia at left back, in place of Jose Enrique who had a poor game at left back against Wigan on Saturday.
Steven told the Shields Gazette this morning:
“”I’m doing everything I can to be available for selection on Saturday.” “I’m desperate to play, but the last thing I want to do is come back and break down.”
“If I don’t make it, then I’d be very optimistic of being ready for the Middlesbrough game.”
The sooner Steven is back the better, but it has shown Joe Kinnear that we need another accomplished center-back in our squad. Unfortunately, Claudio Cacapa has shown too many times he cannot fill in during times of emergency, and it wouldn’t surprise us if he is sold in the January transfer window.
He has a contract thought next summer, and a one year option, that we don’t think the club will pick up.
Comments welcome.
24 comments so far
ELFER
Nov 19, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Comment #1Why did we let FAYE go…what a decent partnership he could build with colo…
We need a new CB yes, desperately, and also we need a strong holding midfielder! priorities!
DanToon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Comment #2What about Stéphane Mbia for Defensive Midfield? I know for a fact Newcastle is a progression from Stade Rennais, even with the problems at the club!
Spyro
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Comment #3Bassong is a top youngster. It is sometimes easy to forget that he is our youngest CB. This is his chance to justify all the faith that has been put in him by many fans.
Tom_Toon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Comment #4‘The sooner Steven is back the better,’ – No Ed, the longer he stays away from the starting 11 the better. Bassong is so much better than Taylor.
Alex
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Comment #5Ed your having a laugh mate , Cacapa sold in January . Who would want to pay a fee for him ?we would be lucky to be able to give him away and get him off the wage bill. Your right about needing to get another accomplished CB in though , 2 would be even better.
Karltoon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Comment #6Are Lampard and Drogba both out?
DanToon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Comment #7………………..Given
Baye..Bassong..Colloccini..Enrique
……Jonas….Barton….N’zogbia
………………..Owen
……….Ameobi……Martins
That’s our best team IMO, any of you agree/disagree???
DanToon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Comment #8BTW…. We can play this team vs Chelsea just swap Guthrie for Barton!
Karltoon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Comment #9Aye.. But our midfield isnt strong enough as it is.. to have just 3
ObaMartins
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Comment #10Lets Get the Legend “SHEARER” in as Boss, kick Boggle eyes Wise to the Curb along with a few if not all of Big sams buys then sit back and wait for Who ate all the Pies ASHLEY to sell the Club !!!!!Come on ALAN this Club needs YOU !!!!
Karltoon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Comment #11I’d like to keep Beye + Barton..
And i’d like to keep Wise as recuritment etc for the youth/reserve team.. And to just give whoevers the manager the heads up if there’s a good prospect for the first team..
Spyro
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Comment #12I cant see Ameobi being any sort of threat to the Chelsea back four. Alex, Carvalho, or Terry would all have him in their pocket and he probabl will not win a header all game. Leave him out and just play martins and Owen up front.
Tom_Toon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Comment #13Our best team IMO:
____________Given____________
____Beye__Coloccini__Bassong____
____________________________
Jonas_______Geremi______N’Zogbia
____________________________
___________Barton____________
____________________________
_____Viduka______Martins______
Karltoon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Comment #14True Spyro.. We need to play to feet and use Jonas’ running.. Like Man U opening day
Tom_Toon
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Comment #15Add Guthrie/Butt next to Geremi or Enrque at Lb because I realised I only put 10 men 🙂
Incognito
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Comment #16Tom_Toon // Nov 19, 2008 at 13:09
‘The sooner Steven is back the better,’ – No Ed, the longer he stays away from the starting 11 the better. Bassong is so much better than Taylor.
__________________________________
Agreed, Taylor has done nothing to justify automatic selection yet some how believes he’s a club ‘local’ hero and can walk straight back into the team. Bassong hasn’t put a foot wrong, it would be criminal to replace him with Taylor.
simon376
Nov 19, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Comment #17We haven’t won a game since Taylor got injured
Spyro
Nov 19, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Comment #18Counter attack will make or break us against Chelsea. Duff needs to be on form as he will no doubt be picked ahead of Zoggy…for some reason. Gutierrez starts to look a bit tired around the 60th minute mark, and the mid week friendly is going to do us no favours. Chelsea WILL score, there is no doubt about that. Ideally, i would like Chelsea to score first and then we score just before or after half time. We will then have the upper hand mentally and hopefully go on to draw or win.
craignufc
Nov 19, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Comment #19I agree Taylor is a bit hit and miss at times, but surely its better for him to come back into the CB position, but still use Bassong in the LB position, as Enrique has made too many mistakes – too slow, lazy with his distribution, positioning at times is horrible, hes had too many chances.
I think as long as the midfield (Gutherie and Butt) put in 100% and make it hard for Chelsea to pass the ball around we will be in with a chance of a point. I think if midfield do their job the defence wont be put under unnecessary pressure.
And with Jonas and Duff we can hit them on the break. Its time to start Owen with Martins upfront – hopefully one of them can poke in a loose ball in the box.
And you never know if we are still level going into the last few minutes we may sneak a set piece bullet header for all 3 points…!
Davies
Nov 19, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Comment #20Simon376, maybe, but nobody’s handled in the area since Taylor got injured either.
Sorry, but I’d rather have Bassong in place of Taylor any day of the week. He needs to cut out the hadballs and the gaffs before he justifies automatic selection. He could be great, but he needs to concentrate more on the game.
In my opinion, the best we can do at the weekend is play:
Given
Beye – Colocinni – Bassong – Enrique
Jonas – Guthrie – Duff
N’Zogbia
Owen – Martins
I know Enrique wasn’t exactly sparkling on Saturday, but he does have his qualities.
Craigg
Nov 19, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Comment #21Tom_Toon your posts totally baffle me
Butt has been our best player for the past 3 seasons yet seems to get no praise what so ever on this site, Its bizarre.
Owen is easily our best finisher and can score in any match without hardly touching the ball something that is invaluble.
Viduka is when fully fit and under the obese line an outstanding striker whos hold up play is second to none but the problem is he is never fit.
How can you slag Taylor, Enrique etc. off for being inconsistant and then say Geremi, Martins, Barton, N’Zogbia are in our best team when they are exactly the same HIT AND MISS
The only consistant players who you know what you will get are Given, Harper, Beye, Butt and Owen.
Rem
Nov 19, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Comment #22Tom_Toon
That wud never work. Beye is a right back, not a central defender. Either u expect him to stay back nd defend, which other players are better at, or u expect him to go forward and leave two at the back?
Tom_Toon
Nov 19, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Comment #23Beye played CB loads for Marseille
stumpofthetoon
Nov 19, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Comment #24craigg.. butt this year has been shocking give away 2 pens. against sunderland brings someone down on edge of the box when richardson had scored a free kick from nearly the same spot a week earlyer. he it to old and slow now a liability if u ask me