Taylor set for January exit?

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...teven-taylors-newcastle-united-career-7898770

Steven Taylor’s future at Newcastle United remains in doubt as Alan Pardew plans a January defensive overhaul.

United’s defensive record has been problematic for Pardew, who has seen his team leak goals in the opening months of the season amid concerns about Fabricio Coloccini’s form and Mike Williamson’s suitability for a long Premier League campaign.

Despite this the Magpies have not shuffled their pack and recalled Academy graduate, and Taylor is understood to be restless at his lack of opportunities. The unwillingness to try out Taylor also suggests that reservations that Pardew had last year about the centre-back remain.

The 28-year-old’s contract is due to expire at the end of next season and he is understood to be in the process of changing agents from Willie McKay, who had spoken of Taylor going out on loan if there were not to be more opportunities.

Newcastle are set to make a move for a centre-back in January and have already begun scouting possible recruits – which would seem to hammer another nail in Taylor’s chances of making progress at St James’ Park.

United’s January transfer fund will be bolstered by the sale of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – the Magpies have already agreed a cut-price fee with Roma for the transfer of the centre-back – and they are looking at Germany and Holland as possible fertile ground for a new defender.

With Jamaal Lascelles also set to enter the first team squad next season after completing his season-long loan at Nottingham Forest, it appears as if January could be a crossroads for Taylor.

While one Taylor looks set to leave the club, another is hopeful that his Newcastle career gets a second chance.

Ryan Taylor made his second appearance for Newcastle as part of his comeback – and was involved for 75 minutes as United’s second string ran in four goals against Burnley.

Steven Taylor
Two-goal Adam Armstrong pushed his claims for a first team cameo role impressively while Facundo Ferrerya, who has been absent from first team action since signing in the summer, also added a goal.

For Taylor there is now a hope that he can involved between now and Christmas, although the nature of his injury means that Newcastle will not rush him. He said: “It has been a winding road and it has been up and down.

“Honestly, it has had everything. There have been days when I have felt good and bad.”

Meanwhile, Paul Dummett has withdrawn from the Wales squad – joining Daryl Janmaat on the sidelines during the international break.

The Holland defender is set to be fit for the match against Leicester City in a fortnight but he has also thrown his support behind Pardew, who has seen his cause fought by Yoan Gouffran and Mike Williamson in recent weeks.

Pardew’s Newcastle career is safe for the time being, despite calls for him to go. The defender said: “We do not want him to get sacked, we want him here. He is good for us and we are fighting for him. I don’t listen to what the fans are chanting, I focus on playing the game.

“You cannot say there is any lack of effort.”

 

While being nowhere near premier quality, unfortunately, he's good enough for our squad. Can't afford to let him go without someone much better coming in.

 

I couldn't give two ****s then again we would need to replace him and Mbiwa which we all know we probably won't do. Pardew would want that clogger Tomkins from West Ham to replace him probably.

 

He could come in handy in the championship.

 

Agree. Not sure he's good enough, but we will desperately need replacements for Saylor and Mbiwa. Good replacements.

Colo probably in his last season and Willo struggling again. This position has to be top priority in January.

 

Ironic that Lacelles was training with England's first team squad the last two days, and Mbiwa is starring in the champions league. Meanwhile back in Newcastle.......

 

Are any of our CBs premier league quality? Genuine question...

Normally I'd say Colo, but he's categorically been the worst defender of the season... And Man Utd have fielded 19 year old midfielders there

 

Honest answer is NO.

For me we need at least 2 CB's with PL experience.

Noticed Bassong went to Watford on a 3 month loan.
For 6 month's I'd even consider him in January.

 

Need 2 defenders in January, if Taylor goes. Move him on in the summer.

 

I saw that. Wonder whats happened for him to get so out of favour. I thought the same though. I reckon he might come back and do well.

 

We need to be looking at who can be brought in to form a ready, solid back line from which to build, before offloading Taylor. He does need to go imo, because it's never comfortable when he's playing. But unless we have 2 starting CBs coming in who are fit and well and ready for the dogfight that's coming, this kind of news is mighty similar to MYM and HBA leaving in the summer, i.e. going in the wrong direction.

 

Not filling this obvious hole in the summer has really come back to haunt us. I like Colo, I think he is a good player. He is however prone to spells out of form and injury. The weight we place on him through not having any good defenders bar Janmaat is huge. It tells at certain stages. he has also had his fair share of personal issues with his missus and now his good friend Jonas. I mean we've got 3 left backs and I'm not sure any of them are good enough!

Being truthful none of Mbiwa, Saylor or Willo are good enough to be starting XI centre backs in the PL. I don't buy all this Mbiwa is suddenly a good player because he is doing well for Roma or in the CL. The fact is he wasn't good enough when he played here, its horses for courses. It doesn't make him a bad player but as he noted himself he struggled. Not because of the manager or positions, because of the style of football.

This is not a new thing, we've known this for quite some time we needed centre backs. Young Lascelles was needed now but again not really the answer. The answer was quite simple. We should have sold Saylor and Mbiwa in the summer, taken the financial hit if need be, and brought in two who could go straight in. The pressure on Colo would have seen him up his game. We then could have moved Willo out at the end of the season to make room for Lascelles.

Its not like there were not a load of options we could have had a look at. Not all available but certainly worth a question: Curtis Davies, Shawcross, Agger, Winston Reid, Ron Vlaar, Craig Dawson, Bassong. I don't know the answer but surely the club should have! I'd have taken any combination of those over Mbiwa and Saylor. Of course the age is wrong for the majority of those for the club bar Dawson and Reid.

 

Both De Vrij and Alderweireld moved this summer too and both would walk in to our first team.

 

Indeed. I was thinking along the lines of people who could hit the ground running. To be De Vrij looks tailor made for the PL though.