Newcastle’s Ryan Taylor is a very good squad player, who should get lots of playing time this season, as he did last season.

Ryan Taylor – wants starting position at Newcastle

But as far as starts go, Ryan may have a hard job getting many of those, and today he has come out and said he wants to try to nail down the right-back spot at Newcastle.

Ryan is ambitious and he is keen to start more games this season than he did in the Championship,  and Ryan still feels the right-back slot offers him the best chance to start on Tyneside.

Ryan said today:

“I would love to cement down a first-team place, but it’s tough at the moment,” “It is not a nice time for me, but I have got to make a name for myself.

“I have a reputation as Mr Versatile and I suppose if I go through my career with that tag, it’s not the worst thing in the world.   But at the same time, I want to establish myself in one position.”

“My favourite is right-back, but I don’t mind playing anywhere.” “I’ll probably play more games there though, so hopefully my goal and performance at Accrington won’t have done me any harm.”

Ryan was disappointed he didn’t get many starts in the side, especially after the turn of the year,  and he said during the summer that if the same thing happened this season, he may have to consider his future next summer.

In truth, we don’t think Ryan’s best position is right-back,  but more in midfield where his goal threat can be used more.

Danny Simpson, James Perch and Steven Taylor may be better right-backs than Ryan, so we have to hope that Ryan will be satisfied enough at making sub appearances for Newcastle this season, but maybe not.

The Magpies have made a very decent start in the Premier League, especially with that 6-0 walloping of Aston Villa at St. James’ Park, one of Newcastlke biggest ever PL wins.

Blackpool are next up on Saturday at St. James’ Park, and 3 points is not out of the question in that game either.

Ryan continued:

“I think the Villa game in particular was a wake up call for the league,” “We have not come back to the Premier League to be pushovers. We have not left the Championship to go back there.”

“We like to think we are a Premier League team, and although we have to keep our feet on the ground and keep working, come the end of the season, we will be fine as long as we carry on putting in performances like the ones we have produced so far.”

Ryan has shown in the game at Accrington Stanley and the Reserves’ win against Sunderland last  week,  that he can score goals, and he played very well in both those games.

But with Newcastle’s  much improved squad it could still be difficult for the Liverpudlian to get himself a starting place this season, either in defense or midfield.

What do you think?

Comments welcome.