Taylor the raging debate

The problem with him is his biggest weakness - lack of pace - is the same weakness Stubbs and Platt have. So his signing made no sense.

We can get away with him in a 5-3-2 but have to accept he will get targeted at times.

but we saw at Notts him and Stubbs are far too slow to be paired in a 4-4-2 ever again.

 

Agree, but I think there's more than that, that exposes his game. For a big lad, he's not as dominant in the air as you'd expect. And he lacks agility as well as pace, so he doesn't just get exposed in a foot race, any forward with nimble feet can buy half a yard and get a shot away. McArdle, Davies weren't rapid (nor as slow as Stubbs and Taylor) but aerially they were magnificent, and positionally sound too.

At least one quality CB is needed in Jan.

 

When did we become such cuckolds as a fan base? Its as if our last 20 years has completely destroyed our radar for judging quality. Ash Taylor is probably a nice lad, probably tries his best, but he's plainly sh*te at football. For a professional, that is. It was the apparent fan consensus at each of his previous clubs too, but for some reason when players get judged in that manner by our fan base, then all our ills come down to 'the fans being toxic'. And its not as if people are getting on his back during games. Its a fans forum FFS, airing views on players here is fair game.

 

The 3-4-3 system used by GA suits Taylor and the other backs as they are not easily pulled out of position that happens under a 3-5-2 with having to cover the wing backs when caught forward, The 4 in the middle go up as a unit and back together making it hard for teams to get behind us and helps control midfield, Most top sides are adopting the system because of the advantages

 

For the record, I don't rate Taylor at all. And yet he has hundreds of professional games under his belt. So GA, and his previous managers, obviously see something we fans don't...but I have no idea what it might be.

 

Or, he has a lack of options. Platt is a steady 6/10 most weeks type. For a top side at this level, he'd be a squad player. Stubbs has been awful this season, Kelly has a bit of promise but isn't exactly a stand out either. We lack depth and quality at CB.

 

Nearly 200 for Tranmere as they constantly battling relegation to the non League before eventually failing and another 200 in Scotland with half of them at a standard I'd guess it's below where we currently are.

 

That's the bug thing for me. He's 6 foot 5 or something and built like a brick outhouse yet constantly loses the aerial duels which should, in reality, be a big asset for him.

 

I think its his timing. Its way off.

 

Like I say, I don't rate him myself, but with that many games he must have something managers like. GA has options but still chooses to play Taylor

 

We do lack quality but we do have options and GA chooses to play Taylor

 

Pace in a defender is ideal but not a necessity. Some of the best CBs in the world have not been known for their pace. Terry, Chiellini, Stam. But they make up for it with their ability to read the game an position themselves accordingly. Taylor lacks that football brain required to be a top League 2 or League 1 CB. Because he misreads the game so often, he gets caught out of position an his lack of pace becomes very visable for all to see.

We can survive with him in the team, he isn't ideal, but he's far from as shite as some have mentioned. As long as he has pace around him an we arent playing too high of a line, we'l be fine

 

It's been what, 4 games?

Let's see if he's still getting selected in February when it's had a chance to settle down.

 

Stam was rapid, but you're right.

 

Agree. As I said, I don't rate him myself either.

 

Who would win a 100m dash between:

Lane 1: Robert Molenaar
Lane 2: Sam Stubbs
Lane 3: Matty Platt
Lane 4: Ash Taylor
Lane 5: Neville Southall
Lane 6: Mark Lawn

?

 

Ha ha ha the images in my head right now.

 

I can picture the steam coming off Bob Molenaar’s head on a cold winter’s day!