Big Stevey Taylor

We've always known Stevey Taylor was a big, meaty and powerful lad. One that will work his arse off in defense and in attack, and be able to challenge almost any player in the air for the ball, and hold off pretty much any player.

However, does anyone think his tactical awareness, footballing brain and outlook towards the game has improved?

He hardly ever gets caught out like he used to. He knows when to come out and when to stay back. He reads the game much better than he used to. How many goal line clearances has he made so far this season? 4? 5? And they weren't just because he was in the right place at the right time, it's because he read the danger and acted well.

He also looks a lot quicker than he used to. His pace and agility have certainly improved.

I've always had faith in him. I always backed him up before he returned to form at the end of last season. I said that he'd got a shot or a header on target in each of his games before returning, and my faith in him was justified when he scored 3 in 3.

I just hope for his sake he doesn't suffer another unfortunate injury. He's playing so well.

 

Barton is dead. Long live Barton*.


* In this case, Stevie Taylor.

 

He has lost weight which is why he is quicker these days!

 

He seems a little less chubbier around the middle, but has a bigger chest now.

 

His position and awarenss used to be piss poor but he's definitely improved that game in th last year or so. His concentration is still a bit dodgy but he's come on so much as a defender.

 

You smell of gay.

 

I bet AH got his hopes up after this start to the thread

 

It was only January when nobody particularly cared that he was going and everyone was saying Williamson was much better. Oh, how things change!

 

He's only made a couple of mistakes, doesn't mean his concentration is dodgy, no one is without mistakes.

He's mistimed a couple of kicks or w/e, anyone can do that.

 

RIP STaylors Gut?

 

The clearance at Villa was his own fault anyway but I agree, he's been very good so far.

Hopefully we'l see similar form against the top teams.

 

Its defence by the way, unless you are American, in which case I apologise and sympathise

 

He's been unlucky with injuries (and team mates), otherwise he would have been recognised at a higher level much sooner. Yes he makes mistakes, everyone does (try watching Cahill and Jagielka regulalry), but in general this lads a top player who wouldn't look out of place at any club in the country, has the additional bonus of actually being able to control and pass the ball comfortably. If he stays fit the next battle will be to keep him from joining the big lads.

Scandalous that he was almost cast side by the inept player recruitment team led by Llambias.

 

I think Taylor deserves praise but Pardew and more importantly Colo deserve a lot of credit!

Taylor and Colo seem to mop each others mistakes up almost without having to think. One of them is beaten, the other mops it up. One of them goes to the ball, the other covers. Seems to be working really well and having confidence in your CB partner breeds confidence in yourself!

Both of them have been immense and I'll be the first to hold my hands up and say I was wrong when I thought Colo and Willo were a better partnership!

 

Its the spelling of "Stevey" that concerns me more!!! Surely its Stevie??

 

Lovely arse still though.

Taylors one of the reasons I wouldn't have Carroll back frankly, for all the talk of the dressing room unity of Barton, Nolan etc we seem to be doing fine without.

 

True, but everyone gets on great when you're doing well...Its who will hold the dressing room together when things inevitably drop off a little that I question?

Colo's a good captain, but I don't think he is vocal enough to handle that, hopefully Taylor can step up!

 

You certainly know a lot about Stevie Taylor HMT...

 

Funny you mentioned that, it seems as time passes it becomes more apparent that maybe Nolan, Jose and Barton etc were calling the shots in the dressing room. Must've been a nightmare for Pardew and probably done the likes of Cabaye and some of the younger players like Sammy and Abeid no favours. Colo seems above all that and hasn't spat his dummy out, Nor has Jonas. Maybe the "big personalities" needed to go for the good of the squad development.