Sam: No war with Taylor

Oct 28 2007 by Darren Kelso, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE boss Sam Allardyce has held peace talks with Steven Taylor . . .

And angrily denied making a scapegoat of the defender.

Allardyce has moved to clear the air – and give Taylor assurances over his future – after reports suggested he had singled out the England Under-21 international for criticism.

The Magpies manager was furious after his midweek reference to defenders playing “c***” was taken by some as a slight on Taylor alone.

Allardyce last night told the Sunday Sun: “I don’t deny the c*** remark. I said it, I don’t have a problem about using the word but I was using it about more than one player.

“It was misinterpreted for it to be singled out for one player. I said it wasn’t just about Steven Taylor, it was the whole of the back four.”

With Taylor not among the Newcastle 16 involved at Reading yesterday, speculation has mounted over his future.

But Allardyce added: “He is a great lad, a nice young age and has a massive future ahead of him . . . and that future should be at Newcastle United.”