Steven Taylor makes shocking admission about NUFC players during his time at the club

Former Newcastle United centre-back Steven Taylor has admitted that some of his fellow NUFC quite often “sulked” or didn’t want the ball in games when we were going through a rough spell during his time on Tyneside.

The ex-Wallsend Boys Club youngster spent almost 15 years at St James’ Park but was released by the club last summer, having endured a brief spell with Portland Timbers in the MLS and Ipswich Town in the Championship since then.

The 31-year old now finds himself at Peterborough, and despite his poor injury record prior, has played in all 13 of their league games so far this season, claiming that the spirit in their dressing room is unlike ones he has experienced during his time at Newcastle.

Here he admits that so many ‘sulked’ off the pitch and ‘hid’ on it while we were enduring a poor run of form – revealing that his current side Peterborough are doing quite the opposite after going seven games without a wi in all competitions.

“When I was at Newcastle there was a tendency for players to sulk when we had a bad run. That would have a negative effect on the team’s morale.

“Players would hide and not want the ball but that’s not the case here.”

Thankfully, those who sulk and hide both on and off the pitch are long gone at Newcastle now.

This bunch under Benitez might not be the most talented and may not compare technically to some of the ‘stars’ Steven Taylor would have played alongside over his long spell at the club, however their willingness to learn, fight and work hard in the team can not be questioned.

Looking through the NUFC squad during the 2015/16 relegation season, we might be able to make a good guess which players Taylor is referring to here. As far as the ‘sulkers’ go, Moussa Sissoko, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan and Daryl Janmaat may have be contenders, whilst Gini Wijnaldum was certainly one who was quite often nowhere to be seen on the pitch when we needed him most.

An interesting insight from Taylor, but one that certainly doesn’t apply to this current crop.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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