We like to see competition for places at Newcastle, and the club has certainly had that this year.
Ryan Taylor – nearly always a substitute this year
And two of the players who cannot make the starting line-up these days are Ryan Taylor and Nicky Butt, but that’s not to say they haven’t made contributions for the Newcastle club.
The game these days is all about the squad, and it’s important because of injuries, lack of form and suspensions that Newcastle have a big enough squad to cope with these things that happen every season.
Manager Chris Hughton has done more than a decent job in using his squad well this season, and he talked about Butt and Taylor today:
“Unfortunately for Ryan he hasn’t played as many games as he would have liked of late but it’s important not to forget about the likes of him and Nicky Butt,”
“They’ve both made very, very big contributions. We’ve had real good competition for places and if I look through the squad there aren’t really too many that haven’t played a fairly significant part.”
“If I look at this particular moment the ones that haven’t figured so much recently are Ryan Taylor and Nicky Butt, but you’ve only got to look at the number of games they have played over a season to see their contribution.”
“With Nicky you’ve got a player who wants to play every game,” “He’s still very fit, you only have to look at the distances he covers in training and games.”
“It will always be frustrating for him when he’s not playing but he’s been great to have around the place. He’s a real solid character and a real solid personality.”
“Is he a future coach? I don’t know. It’s always got to be a personal decision whether you want it. I do know he knows the game.”
“This is a player brought up in a very good coaching school with very good players.” “He knows the game and he can see how a game unfolds. He has some good qualities to stay in the game.”
For the record, Ryan Taylor has 31 appearances this season, with 21 starts and 4 goals, and that’s a very good return from Ryan.
Nicky Butt has had a much more restricted season, appearing just 17 times with 12 starts and no goals, and we have to think this is Nicky’s last season in football.
Newcastle fans will understand that these lads have an impact at the club, and after all, only 11 players can start each game.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Charlietoon
Mar 20, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Comment #1Rtayls is a useful squad member. Able to play at right wing or right back though better on the attack . We dont have many other right sided players so he is worth keeping I think. Butt can go. He has done a job for us in the past but I look forward to someone making that position their own next season. We will need someone stronger in midfield defence next season and I think Smith will fill that role of being the hard man in a tough away game
Tel
Mar 20, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Comment #2Have to agree, Tayls could still prove useful in squad, but Butt isnt my favourite, his brain and legs want to do things he is no longer capable of doing, and he more often than not gives the ball away cheaply, then commits stupid fouls costing us goals. Midlesboroughs second for example was conceded from a free kick given away by butt.
singamagpie
Mar 20, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Comment #3Shearer’s right, Ryan Taylor is never a right back, and every time he plays there i had my heart in my mouth. He can’t tackle, he got no speed, no strength, he’s poor in the air, and his awareness isn’t any better. Only thing he’s capable of is supporting offensively and supplying crosses from deep.
Nicky Butt, well, everyone here knows about him. Time to bring down the curtains I’d say.
geordielad880
Mar 20, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Comment #4Team for today:-
———————–harper
simpson—–collocini——–hall————enrique
r.taylor——–guthrie———nolan——–jonas
————-routledge
————————–carroll
mylestoon
Mar 20, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Comment #5I nicky butt should get a coaching role at newcastle at the end of the season. hes passed it.
Ryan Taylor doesn’t have the skill and final ball of routledge, hes okas cover, but he doesn’t compete for a spot. Need better strength in depth next season.
geordielad880
Mar 20, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Comment #6If we get promoted I would like to see newcastle sign the following players:-
J’O Hara, Gunter, snodgrass, J beattie, J Pennant, Curtis Davies
geordielad880
Mar 20, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Comment #7And would also sign zat knight.
I would get rid of the following players:- Butt, Pancrate, Ameobi, Leon Best
mylestoon
Mar 20, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Comment #8i wouldn’t mind seeing kris boyd at the club
geordielad880
Mar 20, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Comment #9yeah boyd is a good forward, good in the air, and very strong, would be a good signing
geordielad880
Mar 20, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Comment #10Newcastle have been linked to Hazard of Lille, watched him against liverpool. There is no way they could sign him, will end up at one of the Top 5 in europe, newcastle scouts were watching Yohan Cabaye not hazard as reported
Ketsbaia
Mar 20, 2010 at 3:12 PM
Comment #11This is nonsense. These two are not heroes. Butt was passed it when we signed him 6 years ago and has in no way justified what we have paid him during this time. Right now he is finihed and should have already hung up his boots. Taylor is very average. A Championship player at best. Granted he has chipped in with a few goals and a couple of assists but he is not a player who will add anything in the Premiership.
I too am paid a wage and do my job. That alone doesn’t make me a hero…
cupiddstunt
Mar 20, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Comment #12I would hate to see boyd at the toon, yes he can get goals at Scottish level, not too sure he has the same ability to get them against stronger defenders.
He is also one of the laziest players I have watched he will not track back and in a game where you are trying to grind out a result he will be conspicuous by his absence.
We appear to have a good squad at the moment with a good work ethic, you will loose that with the likes of boyd as he never ventures far from the opposition pen box and never tries to recover lost balls.
He cannot manufacture his own goals he only works of the midfield service, and we already have players that can do that as well as contribute in other areas of the game so no boyd please.