good point. He's done ok the (very) few times I've seen him this year. Wouldn't be surprised to see him join DJ at Sheff Weds in the summer
Didn't let us down v. Birmingham and kept Burkie quiet but if we have a choice between him and Taylor? While Taylor has cost us some goals by falling asleep with balls played over him I would still back him in a 1 on 1 with most Championship wingers.
Not so sure about that Bluey. I've been dissappointed with his lack of pace all season - he must be the slowest player on the pitch (maybe bar Whitts ). If anyone looks shagged out after a 20 yard run, it's him. I'd give Naylor another chance.
I really disagree that Taylor has been a problem in defence this season. Our biggest issues at full back are on the other side of the pitch.
Steve I can think of 3 or 4 goals where Taylor has lost concentration with balls over his head - don't know whether he loses sight of the ball or just has poor judgement - Pompey away, Wurzels last week, Blackpool and others. However, I haven't seen a winger skin him on the ground - could be we usually get a second man back to cover. I agree with you about McNuggs though. He has looked out of sorts and indecisive recently - gave the ball away resulting in West Ham's first, as well as his og gem on Tuesday - also he is not getting forward as much. In fact he seems to get pegged back by the opposing full back. Is this a result of us not having any wide threat to tie up their full backs? Such a pity as he has been a rock for us in recent years. Personally I would give Darcy a start at right back on Sunday to give Kev a rest.
He hasn't become a bad player overnight, but certainly something needs to change and with Darcy an able deputy a rest seems the obvious place to start. I was calling for Kev to be dropped before the Hull so I was tampin when he bundled the first in under no pressure (wouldn't have been impressed with that OG if I hadn't called for it tbh)..... I thought Taylor looked for possession as much as anyone on the pitch on Tuesday, I know he's not Roberto Carlos, but I don't think he's a problem.
Stevo - you can only possibly say that about Kev this past half dozen games at most. The first 30 games of the season he has been class. On the other hand, Taylor is slower to react than Huds was when he first came to us from Charlton - and that was bloody slow enough. He has no pace whatsoever, and once past by his winger or the overlapping full back, he's stuffed - no pace in his make up to recover his position. He has class in his delivery and reading of the game, but lacks the pace to be a threat down the left in attack. I accept he's mainly employed for his defensive duties, but the modern trend is for an all-round wing back with pace. He doesn't fit the bill. I like the guy, but apart from the last half dozen games, McNuggs is head and shoulders ahead of him. Just an opinion mate.
No hassle with opinions thats what we're here for, if we all agreed it's be a pretty rubbish forum I wasn't saying that Taylor is better than Kev, I really don't believe that at all. Just at the moment I think Taylor is still doing his job and I think Kev is struggling. I know the BC goal was worked around Taylor but it was a very good move. The ball inside/over him was spot on, the pass and finish perfect. You mention Taylors reading of the game and it is his main strength and it's Naylors biggest weakness imo. I want Kev back to his best ASAP but in the meantime we need a back 4 that can play as a unit better than we currently are. I know Darcy's off field behaviour is open to question and his distribution can be shocking but the boy knows how to get a tackle in.
