Taylor: It's Chris Hughton who makes us tick

Jan 17 2010 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

Not half bad for a bloke who, for reasons unexplained, prompts mention by Taylor of Trigger from “Only Fools and Horses”.

“He’s a players’ manager. The players love him because he’s very respectful and listens to them. With him in charge, you don’t ever hear arguments about the place any more,” added Taylor.

“I always knew he’d make a manager – it was just a matter of when. I didn’t know he’d get a chance here, but he has and he hasn’t had the praise he fully deserves.

“He also has a jokey side that you need as a manager – you can’t be straight faced all the time. It’s like Trigger out of Only Fools and Horses.

“He (Hughton) is just an honest guy, and this season has been all about us as players being honest with ourselves. We always get together as a team and get things off our chest.

“In the past few years, players kept things in or talked behind people’s backs, which caused arguments and upset some players who then haven’t gone out and performed.”

Further to that, although Taylor maintains he does not know “what the hell happened” as Newcastle were relegated last May, his further insight into the Newcastle dressing room of old paints a clear picture.

“When I first came into the first team set-up, there were three groups: the young lads, the foreign lads and the older players.

“There’s none of that any more. Everyone is together. Even the kids and reserves feel like first teamers now.”

And last season?

“There were obviously players here who didn’t want to give their all and you can see this season that the players are giving 100 per cent.

“That’s shown in every game. They’re willing to fight for each other. If one player goes down in the tackle, there’s always people willing to help him out.

“Us, Chris and Colin (Calderwood) stick together. The players who wanted to be here have shown they want to be here.