Andy Taylor

[Mousey]

I'd like to mention how much I believe Andy Taylor has improved since coming back into the side in recent weeks. He seems to have copied Naysmith in the way he looked shocking for half a season, only to turn it around and look very solid.

He now looks like he can stop his man getting past him most of the time and cuts balls out before they get to his man.

It has got to the point where I would prefer him at left back over Stephen Jordan.

Has anybody else noted an improvement in him?

 

[Robbie]

I'd rather have me at left back.

 

[JohnDenver]

Isolate him and he's toast.

 

[Houso]

Absolutely fine the other day against a tricky winger.

Happy to have him as backup.

 

[SwissBlade]

I thought the same when I saw him at Barnsley, Mousey.

Much improved and seeing as though Jordan's crocked i'd also ratehr have Taylor

On the subject of tricky wingers, Swansea didn't seem to do very well at all against our apparently shite fullbacks this weekend (from the reports I've had back)

 

[sheffielder]

You have not seen the match report where apparently Calve got murdered. Have to admit my eyes said different. I don't think it was down to his performance but people wanting Lowton in the side

 

[Mousey]

I thought the same when I saw him at Barnsley, Mousey.

That was another good performance he put in. A couple of times he went into a tackle and came away with the ball, rather than it going out of play. He then played a simple pass with it instead of getting carried away.

 

[SwissBlade]

That was another good performance he put in. A couple of times he went into a tackle and came away with the ball, rather than it going out of play. He then played a simple pass with it instead of getting carried away.

Yep I had a couple of "by crikey I think the boy has finally got it!" moments during that game!

 

[sheffielder]

I have always said Taylor is ok as long as he remembers his position. I have been knocked for this before but when he goes to take corners and free kicks he never managers to get himself back. Now Yeates and Reid are in charge of those I think he is an adequate back up, but remember Jordan has been playing shit since the Leeds debacle

 

[IOM Blade]

I seem to remember a few of the reserve attendees saying he's looked quality when he's turned out for our second string in the last few months. Sounds like he taken that form in to the first team. Well done Andy, keep it up!

 

[Bladesway]

Cracking guitarist as well.

 

[cooperblade]

I thought both full backs did well v Swansea, especially in terms of stopping crosses into the box.

It was noticeable at Barnsley and again v Swansea how narrow a position they're taking up at times. When the ball isn't down his flank, Taylor often takes up what is almost a centre back position and leaves his winger in acres of space. I'm assuming that's an instruction from the coaching staff? Can't say I've noticed it before the last couple of weeks.

 

[boo radley]

Three players who have been slated in the past did great Bartley, Evans and Taylor.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

????

Sorry, but I noticed a few times when Swansea had Dyer away with a simple ball over the top of him. Granted, he recovered most of the time but I think he'd lost position which is vital against someone with Dyer's pace. Mind you, Dyer was subbed and he had Cotts in his back pocket.

IMO, he's still got a long way to go.

 

[alcoblade]

With his lack of pace and atheticism, he'd have to be some technically gifted wonder to make anything other than a Championship squad player. He's far from the worst player we've had, but he will always be limited in his horizon.

It's the accpetance of players of Taylor's abilities that have seen us gradually decline to a club who'd be pleased just to stay up.

UTB

 

[Foxy]

He's been the same since his recent return to the squad...

He won every tackle at Bristol, though the bloke next to us still insisted on insulting him for doing that.

He had a decent game at Barnsley and he had a good game on Saturday.

As has been said, he doesn't seem to have the pace to be at a level we'll need long-term... But for me, he can be good enough both defensively and on the ball/set pieces.

In terms of the positioning, it's not a recent thing, it's been throughout his Blades career but depends solely on the centre backs he's playing alongside.

Exactly the same happened to Naysmith whenever Morgs was in the side.

I assume it's either a case of taking responsibility to cover for those in the middle or it's tactical. It's definately deliberate and not just poor positioning on his behalf. I have seen it done plenty where faster centre backs overlap and close the wingers with slower full backs tucking inside... but I don't think thats really the case in our instance.

 

[Superblades]

Can't fault him for either the performance on sat or at Bristol. Looked solid at Barnsley only problem i find is..If you watch during the game Nosworthy seems to tell him to come across when the ball is on the other side and mark Nyrons' man instead of telling Nyron to mark him. Barnsley caught onto this and left one man out wide and nearly got in a few times. Apart from that he has been decent these past few games.