Ryan Taylor – From zero to hero

toonsy

I’ll hold my hands up to being a bit hard on Ryan Taylor in the past. In my view he just wasn’t good enough, but to his credit he is proving me wrong.

To be fair he started proving me wrong last season and showed that he is capable of contributing to our first team, not only with assists but also with goals and some sound defensive displays to boot.

Of course it was his equaliser nearly two weeks ago that gave us a draw in the Europa League qualifier with Atromitos with him unleashing another unstoppable freekick into the Greek net giving us a helping hand through to the group stages of the competition. I get the feeling he would have got plenty more chances to do much the same kind of thing throughout the course of the season what with all the extra games we’ll (hopefully) be playing but unfortunately for Ryan it’s not to be.

An injury to his Achilles means that now the versatile player is out for a non-specific timeframe which thus far has only been described as “months” by Alan Pardew giving myself some time to reflect on my changing opinion of Ryan Taylor.

Whilst are quick to heap praise on the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote, Tim Krul and the two Demba’s, for me it’s players like Ryan Taylor who have played the larger part on our semi-success over the last two seasons. A versatile player who will try his hand at any role given, Taylor is one of a number of player who have come in and done well when called upon, yet haven’t moaned once when they’ve been overlooked.

In a way the success of players like Taylor, and even James Perch, has made our squad look deeper than it actually is. They are dependable back up to the first team and it’s only now, now we are going to be missing him for quite some time, that it becomes apparent.

I never quite thought I would see the day where I start to worry about an injury to Taylor, but that day is now. Losing him is like losing three extra backup players and I only hope our lack of signing reinforcements over the summer won’t come back to bite us on the behind thanks to an unfortunate yet unavoidable injury to one our most versatile members of the squad.

The rest of the squad said all they had to say prior to the match on Sunday when they revealed their “over the wall” tribute t-shirts to the former Tranmere and Wigan man. Not only is he held in high regard these days by myself, but it also seems he is held in high regard by his peers who saw fit to honour him like that in the face of such bad news.

Here’s to a speedy and hassle free recovery for Ryan Taylor!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

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132 thoughts on “Ryan Taylor – From zero to hero”

  2. Gutted for Raylor .Hardworking and dependable and unlike others knows how to score from set pieces ,we are really gonnaa miss him imo. 🙁

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  3. Could have done with his set pieces on Sunday. Great backup player who really could have done a job for us this season.

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  6. I thought he tore his ACL. anyway, long time to recover either way. Hopefully our other free-kicks takers can improve drastically

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  7. An injury to his achilles???? That’s the tendon in your heel. I thought this was a cruciate ligament detachment in his knee?

    But quite agree about the huge importance of these rock steady, versatile players who don’t complain, but seize every chance they are given and produce solid, sometimes inspired performances.

    You can’t have a team made up only of glory boys, and Ryan Taylor, Perchinio, Willo are invaluable to have on the bench. I was sorry to lose Guthrie & Best who also did very well for us in the same way, but they both were desperate to get regular first team football so they sadly had to move on.

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  10. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND  DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    His eyes are a bit close together for my liking but fair point. 😯

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  11. Nice one, Toonsy; totally agree. Just allow me one wee ****-take:

    Saying you’ve been “a bit hard on Ryan Taylor in the past” is like saying the war was a bit hard on Dresden! 😆

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  13. Whumpie 😆

    Can’t say much myself as I’ve slagged him off from time to time. He can score screamers though and ever since that Accrington Stanley match he has often carried our second string sides. It’s a shame his set piece delivery isn’t as good as his shots or he’d actually be properly close to the first team for me, as it is we have plenty who can shoot and none who can deliver 👿

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  16. Spencer yeah we always backed him, and I can remember Toonsy saying that he’d never make a PL player or something along those lines.
    But as usual he is just a bit slower to see what we seen yonks ago 😆 😆
    Better late than never I guess 😉 reet catch you’s in a bit

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  17. Newkie
    Yeah, still havent scored. That Brunton guy that came off after being bashed in the face used to be looked after by my Aunt in the NE.

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  18. I see our match v WBA has been moved to accomodate the match v brugge on Thursday. Match v WBA has been moved from Friday to Saturday. Why was it on a friday in the first place? Also why hasn it been moved to sunday?

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  21. How about the reading match ,that ain’t been changed at all has it only I got tickets and I got to arrange my respite care in advance 😕

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  25. Good free kick taker and has scored some valuable goals for us. Distribution better than Simpsons but a bit slow for me to be a regular prem starter. Would rather bring on some of the young bloods. Sorry about his injury though.

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  27. Think it’s fair to say that Raylor isn’t the most gifted player in the squad, but what he is is a player who will do a job for the team slotting in where needed without spitting the dummy and always giving his all – then there’s the freekicks as well of course. I think you could put Perchino in the same category as well. I think you need players like that in the squad, and because of their versatility they are vital to the squad.

    As for Shamrocks earlier article, I think from the U21s team that beat Stoke 5-1 last night I could easily see Tav, Good, Satka, Innman, Hooper and Campbell making it to the first team. Add them to the likes of Fergie, Bigi, Amalfitano, Abied and Vukic – and the future looks fairly bright for NUFC.

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  30. Agree, Raylor is now a very important cog in our wheel. Even Perch has just about won me over, never thought I’d say that! Cheers for comments on last article, interesting to see so many agree- gad my tin hat on standby! Not happy about this international break, just get footy back and then it’s gone again!

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  31. Off topic but I got a question and I would be gratefull for some input .
    Question ,you have the choice of a masonette in a nice area or a 2 bedroom flat (new build) slightly less disirable area or a 2 bed house again in slightly less nice part of town. which of the three would you pick and why , which will give the best return in say 10 years time. I only ask as I’m in a debate with someone as to which is the best choice and would appreciate a few opinions . 😉 thanks.

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  32. SHAMROCK aye just read that thread,well done wont say i agree 100% but most of it i do,best i can do 😉

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  33. Kim
    I’d give you an opinion but id have to look up masonette first 😉 Also buying a house would also be my second protocol before giving you an opinion 😀 😕

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  34. Andy ,I’m in a debate with my Ex and my Daughter about which she should buy .I won’t say my preference as I want to see what you lot reckon if only to see if my logic is right or theirs really.

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  35. I wouldn’t say ‘Zero to Hero’.
    ‘Useless to Useful’ maybe.

    He’s a good (and I’m sick of using this term now) utility player. He’s no world beater. He’s a Jack of All Trades for me, although Master of None would be a tad harsh. He’s becoming a master of free-kicks but we’ve waited long enough for them. We signed him after he scored (was it 2 or 3) against us over a season, but he did ****** all for a long time.

    I can’t really knock him for his commitment to the cause, but he’s not outstanding in any position. He ain’t even that good at corners. As Toonsy says, …”never quite thought I would see the day where I start to worry about an injury to Taylor” – me neither, but with Fatty-tight-**** at the helm we’ve all been conditioned into expecting more from what we’ve got.

    He is perfect squad Polyfilla though.

    …in fact that’s my new nickname for him, Polly. 😆

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  36. Andy. It’s a like a flat over two floors normally above a shop or the top part of a three story house as in this case.

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  38. Kim, I’d go for the nice area every time.
    I went for a 1 bed terrace in a nice area for the same price of a 3 bed semi in a shithole. That’s me though. I don’t regret it 7 years on. I think houses sell faster in nicer areas too.

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  39. Kim, flats dont make much money. Especially if in dodgy area. Houses do, you can totally refurb them and turn good profit just off that, but if the area is bad – and continues to go downhill then it affects the potential value and narrows your window of potential buyers…..

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  40. …that said, there are hidden gems to be had within rough postcodes. Plenty of research is in order when buying a hoos.

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  41. Previous post an interesting read Shamrock. If we are willing to settle for 8th place then the Ashley/Llambias strategy is fine. We probably can’t reasonably expect 5th or higher this season now however. Injuries are already taking a bite and we are only just beginning. We do have some squad depth but not at CB. Perch is not big enough to be a CB against any side with a decent attack. He is fine as a DCM but that’s about it. We have to hope Pardew’s sorts out the Demba’s soon and hope they don’t get into ACoN. Can’t understand the approach as far as depth in strikers is concerned. I really think Llambias was sure Liverpool would fold and we would get Carroll back on loan and then a cheap buy (unless he was brilliant of course). Having Llambias is a real handicap no matter how brilliant Carr is. I hope I’m wrong but there is a math term called reversion to the mean. As far as we’re concerned it means that we are more than likely to perform less well the season after out-performing most people’s expectations. I hope to be proven wrong but we seem to be setting up to finish around 7th or 8th to me.

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  42. Shamrock – sorry I didn’t post my comment on your article mate but you’ll see above that i have addressed it. I was playing catch up today, been out all day to Newton by the Sea with the boy. The Northumberland coast is beautiful and he’s had a class day on the beach.

    Kim – I’ve got a mate whos an estate agent and he has always told me that the nice areas tend to stay nice and the poorer areas tend to get worse. Mind you, he doesn’t tell that to the people he’s showing round like 😉 😆
    So based on that, I’d have to say the Masonette would be my suggestion like.

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  43. Kim thats a hard one because the nice area could be a bad area in 10yrs time ? I would maybe swing for the house but that only because a family of 1 might prefer a house with a garden as apposed to a flat with communal area etc and the up keep of them. as for a masonette it depends what under it ❓

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  44. Cheers for clarrifying kim and I agree with rod @38 , my sister lived in a **** hole for three years, hated it and now lives in a nice place and is much happier.
    I see the squad list is confirmed, Xisco and Ranger are on it. I also found that that Shola isn’t Ameobi’s first name, its Foulwashola I think. And Xisco isn’t any part of Xisco’s proper name its someothing else beginning with a ‘T’.

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  45. Dave
    Surely your not comitting as much to a flat/masonette as you would a house though, so if the area declines then your more likely to just move on rather than if you had a proper house there.

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  46. on houses,ive always wanted to live in a log-cabin in the woods,nee people much prefer nature to people like,sorry but true 🙁

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  47. ….you just buy the 2 bed hoos in the rough area, and use some of the extra wedge to install motion sensor gun turrets just below the guttering. 😉

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  48. Kim@34
    Suppose it depends on budget if its for your daugter aswell as how old she is, would suggest a flat if she’sin her early-mid twenties as I know thats what a lot are doing and are enjoying it more, but if she’s late 20s+ then, if she can afford it, a house would probably be more suitable. Again though I have no personal experienc in the matter, just second-hand knowledge on the subject.

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  52. haha, never quite pictured Ice as Grizzly Adams. 😯

    …but I do now. 😆

    ( I know what you mean though mate) 😉

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  53. I am soo procrastenating my history essay. 😕 Man I hate the Spanish Civil War, why couldnt the year before us choose the romans? Then we’d have the books ordered for them and so the class would have to do them for a year 😀 .

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  54. Hey Andy, I’m quite flattered to be agreed with so frequently. Cheers. 😛
    Fair play though. I do always speak sense. 😎

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  56. @46 – My idea of heaven – a log cabin at the foot of a lake in the Canadian forest, little rowing boat moored up off a pontoon and shotgun hanging on the wall – for the people, not the bears!

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  57. Andy, I think you’ll xiscos if it begins with T would be ****. 😉

    Thanks lads ,you all agree with my Ex and Daughter 😆 Masonette it is then ,posh gets 😉 Same price buys a 2/3 bed house in bedminster (not a **** hole by the way) just not quite as desirable as upper Knowle .The maso also overlooks a park ,But it has stairs so Iwon’t be able to visit with lewis cause of his wheelchair 🙁 I’m not as hung up as my girl and my Ex about where to live ,not that I’d want a sink estate mind ,but I like chatty folk who care if your alive or dead not snobs who never pass the time of day. Still I will pass on your words of wisdom so she can see I ain’t biased like 😀

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  58. Aye Shamrock, take a leaf out of Grizzly Adams’ book and train the bears.

    I’d estimate that within a couple of years you could train them in a range of professions. Before you know it you could have your own Bear construction company knocking up log office blocks to house the banker bears, who in turn could help create a new economy based on berries and wild flowers. A true utopian society. 😎

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  59. Kim, nice area doesn’t always mean snobs mate. I’m in a nice area but it’s a proper working class and friendly neighbourhood.

    (yeah I know my bike got nicked from the shed last month, but that’s cunts from outside the area) 👿

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  63. Kim – If Bedminster is not that bad – then it’s the house every time. Way more potential for profit, more storage, outside space & room for little ones – no hidden maintanance/management fees and no getting pissed off at people sharing communal hallways/entrances leaving the place in a state….

    Flipside to having neighbours that ‘look out for you’ – they poke their nose in your business!

    It’s never black & white – excuse the pun 😀

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  64. Shamrock@56 ,I always had a fancy for a beachfront one level pad (hate stairs) with massive glass doors and a varanda I can sit on and watch the waves crash on the beach . Must be cause I’m a pisces or something . On the flip side I do love the hustle bustle of being on the highstreet too. 😉 Maybe the beach pad for holidays then.

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  65. Rodz – Bolox to that – the Bears can be my enforcers – I’ll start a protection racket. Me the brains – the bears the muscles. ‘Aint no fool gona mess with a bear! 😆

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  66. Kim , I would go for the house – especially if it is freehold.

    Re log cabins, I spend a few weeks each year living in one in Kielder Forest. Really love it, very quiet, a few hours fishing on most days and The Anglers Arms in Kielder Village in the evening.

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  68. …aye Shamrock, of course the first bear training programme would be in Krav Maga. Then you could use the bear heavy squad to ensure maximum potential and targets were hit by the bear builders, who’d undoubtedly be sat ’round eating honey and looking at the Sun after a few hours on site.

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  70. Kim – I don’t know the areas you’re on about so can’t really judge on those, just off what you said of the properties. But the only other thing to factor into it would be were your daughter prefers as well though. At the end of it all it’s ultimately her decision and SHE has to be happy where she’s at. It’s a huge decision for her and were she will go back to every night, so it’s best she’s happy and feels safe. I’m sure if she’s nice to her neighbours, they will be nice back to her 😉 . Hope I’m not speaking out of turn tho, coz like I say, I probably don’t know enough to give a solid opinion.

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  73. Actually those bears could be a liablilty. They fook off and hibernate several months a year! Lazy gits, nah I’ll stick with my one cabin, one boat, one fishing road and one busty swedish blonde… 😆

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  74. Ice@71 😆 …maybe you should consider a full body (and face) wax. It must get hot in the summer months. 😆

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  75. Thanks for all the input lads .Just showed Hazel your responses ,I do think she’ll go for the Masonette tbh ,It wouldn’t be my choice but it’s her decision in the end ,my only hope is that the retired teacher lady downstairs is partial to the odd bit of death metal music and colourful langauge 😆 as her son lives in the house next door that might be interesting too. 😆

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