“I have been very impressed with the new manager,” Taylor added. “Since he
came in, he has been absolutely spot on. Within a day or two of him coming
in, he sat me down in his office and made it clear he wants me to be here.

He just wants to get the ball rolling. For me, he has been first class. It was
just what I needed. He is a man’s man and I have a lot of respect for him
and I know that all the players feel the same way about him.

There was a lot going on when he first arrived and no one really knew how to
take him but from the first time he met us, the way he has come across to
the players, he has been absolutely unbelievable. The training sessions have
been fantastic and it’s fair to say the players have taken an instant shine
to him.”

Taylor has had a tough year due to injuries and now looking to kick-start a
career that was threatening to drift.

“After everything’s that has gone on this year, it looks like 2010 could end
on a happy note,” Taylor said. I just want to be playing football for
Newcastle.

“It’s been a difficult year for me with injuries but it looks as if it could
be finishing on a high. Pre-season, I was where I wanted to be looking
forward to the campaign ahead only for me to get that freak shoulder injury
in our first pre-season game at Carlisle. It was a massive blow to me after
being injured last season.

“All I wanted to do was start playing again so to have another three and a
half months on the sidelines was a nightmare. I just had to get on with it
and come back as quickly as I could. I have played a few games now and I am
not looking back, just forward.”