It feels like new start for me - Steven Taylor

Jul 17 2011 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

AFTER the hype, the hope and the horrific injury hiatus, could this – finally – be Steven Taylor’s season?

With his career at a crossroads, that is the question that Newcastle’s boundlessly energetic centre-back confronts as he prepares for the “biggest year” of his eight-year association with United. It is about time – Taylor confesses – for him to “crack on” and fulfil the thrilling promise first spotted by Sir Bobby Robson back in 2003.

It would be a timely personal renaissance. With the decks cleared after another summer of change, Taylor has never been so important to the Newcastle cause.

In Alan Pardew’s new-look United, a player of Taylor’s ability, influence and unquenchable thirst will come in very handy. For while the Gallic influence of new boys Sylvain Marveaux, Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba is all very well, a dash of Geordie grit will be priceless when Premier League hostilities resume next month.

In Taylor – an intoxicating blend of brawn and blessed ability – Newcastle have one of the best British centre-backs of his generation. If he stays injury-free and in-form, he is a player of England potential and one of the best players on Newcastle’s playing staff.

But a blazing finish to the 2010/11 campaign was merely the beginning of a long road back. In a summer of new beginnings, the defender has more to prove than most.

“It feels like a new start for me,” Taylor admitted at United’s sun-kissed Benton training base this week.

He has been on the scene for so long – endured so many lows, enjoyed so many highs – that it is often forgotten that Taylor is still only 25.

Having played under 11 different managers in just eight years, it probably feels like it for a player enjoying his first unhindered pre-season since 2009.

But a year spent simmering on the sidelines has not dimmed his enthusiasm – a point he was keen to hammer home on the eve of United’s pre-season slog to the States.