Steven Taylor reveals what certain players used to do during his time at NUFC – “I got so frustrated!”

Ex-Mag Steven Taylor admits that certain players used to ‘knock on the managers door’ and ‘ask to be rested’ during the early rounds of the Cups during his time on Tyneside.

Taylor enjoyed some cup runs at Newcastle, most notably runs to the Quarter and semi finals of the Europa League, and he clearly couldn’t understand the poor attitude at the club, top down, towards the chance of silverware.

Here’s what Taylor – who now plays in the Australian League with Wellington Phoenix – had to say when reflecting on his time at the club:

“I used to get frustrated about it. I have seen Newcastle players knocking on the door of the manager and asking to be rested for the early rounds of Cups, which can’t be right. I don’t know why they would not want to play because it’s a chance of glory for the club.

“When it happened to me and I wasn’t played I didn’t understand why. I didn’t want to be protected for the Premier League, I wanted to try and get as far as I could in one of the Cups but that was how the Cups were treated really. It was so frustrating. Can you imagine what it would have done to the club to actually win something?”

Taylor was a good servant at Newcastle, even if he didn’t fulfill the promise he showed when he first broke into the side under Sir Bobby Robson. He would have loved nothing more than to lift silverware with his hometown club, our first since 1969 as we all know, but it appears it will be a long time yet until we enjoy success with Mike Ashley at the helm.

Cup competitions are another reason why Ashley just doesn’t get football – they aren’t important to him- we haven’t been past the 4th round of the FA Cup since he bought the club 12 years ago. This attitude is bound to rub off, if the owner doesn’t think cup isn’t important, the manager and players won’t either. Whilst we face relegation and are crippled by a lack of investment and interest from the top, don’t expect a cup run any time soon.

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About Simon Riddlesden

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and East Stand season ticket holder. Observations from a supporter who has followed NUFC during Champions League participation and through relegation, taking me from Milan to Scunthorpe.

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