Scottish Mag 3 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 SAM Allardyce says defenders Steven Taylor and David Rozehnal have done nothing wrong – despite finding themselves out of his starting XI. The pair missed out on starting berths against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, though Rozenhal came off the bench in both games. And manager Sam Allardyce believes competition for places is finally getting interesting at Newcastle United. The United boss arguably had his strongest bench of the season to call upon for Monday night's game against Spurs at St James's Park, a 3-1 win for his side. Big names Rozenhal, Joey Barton, James Milner, Shola Ameobi, and Steve Harper all missed out on a place in the starting XI, while fans' favourite Taylor did not even make the bench. Allardyce admits Rozehnal and Taylor, among others, have been unlucky to lose their places after starting the season as his first-choice centre-halves. But the 54-year-old – whose injury problems are slowly easing – insists he is not afraid to upset players, believing fierce competition can only be good for the club. He told the Gazette: "David's done nothing wrong at all, and Steven Taylor hasn't done much wrong either, and he didn't get on the subs bench. "That's a measure of what I've been trying to get in terms of the squad. "Keeping them all fit's been a problem, but once they all do get fit then it's going to be a battle for the team and the subs bench, and I think that's really healthy. "It's going to frustrate and upset a few players, but if we're winning games of football – and that's happening – they have to accept it. "When they get in the team, they have to fight to keep the shirt. "That grows the spirit and culture of the club, and it grows the desire to play with that shirt and not give it up. "That's what a manager's really looking for." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bawan 0 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Not unlucky to be dropped at all, its in the best interest of the club, they should be happy about that (not about getting dropped) but about us doing so well. Faye and Cacapa have been class along side each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 19736 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 to be fair, all three of sam's new centre backs look far better than taylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newctoon111 0 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Don't write Taylor off, he's young and has a lot to offer us in years to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcastlebroon 0 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Don't write Taylor off, he's young and has a lot to offer us in years to come. The question is, can we keep him happy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I think 'Tayls' probably rates the highest on the Magness scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcastlebroon 0 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I think 'Tayls' probably rates the highest on the Magness scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I think 'Tayls' probably rates the highest on the Magness scale. I'm not sure what it means either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcastlebroon 0 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Taylor 4th choice. Who would have thought that at the start of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 19736 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Don't write Taylor off, he's young and has a lot to offer us in years to come. possibly but at the moment he's behind faye, cacapa and rozenhal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newctoon111 0 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Don't write Taylor off, he's young and has a lot to offer us in years to come. The question is, can we keep him happy? well if you were him what would you do, stay or look for first team elsewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 86 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 from what i gather, taylors the one making the most mistakes. that for me says enough. the only weakness with cacapa and faye is neither are exactly lightning quick over the ground. rozenhal is the only one with pace.. but aint so good in the air... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcastlebroon 0 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 from what i gather, taylors the one making the most mistakes. that for me says enough. the only weakness with cacapa and faye is neither are exactly lightning quick over the ground. rozenhal is the only one with pace.. but aint so good in the air... and their age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 86 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 moot point. faye and cacapa are probably at their peak of their powers. most centrebacks lose pace but improve their reading of the game between 28 and 32... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 1 Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Taylor 4th choice. Who would have thought that at the start of the season. His rightful place tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Lazaru 0 Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Its amazing that in no time at all Big Sam has got us to a stage where Taylor and Rozenhal are not able to get into the team as CB's and in Taylors case not even make the bench. Last season Rozenhal would have been our best defender never mind CB and Taylor was a first team regular when fit. On current form the two in possesion deserve their places, but with injury suspensions and the african nations to come they'll all get chances to stake a claim. Also Rozenhal has said he played alot of games i France as a defensive midfielder so its always another option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khay 8 Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Its amazing that in no time at all Big Sam has got us to a stage where Taylor and Rozenhal are not able to get into the team as CB's and in Taylors case not even make the bench. Last season Rozenhal would have been our best defender never mind CB and Taylor was a first team regular when fit. On current form the two in possesion deserve their places, but with injury suspensions and the african nations to come they'll all get chances to stake a claim. Also Rozenhal has said he played alot of games i France as a defensive midfielder so its always another option. Played there when he came on against spurs for a little while. Also seems get forward which is a good sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassplayerjj 0 Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) I think Roz's best position could be at DM, especially in this league where centre-backs have to be more physical than anyone else on the team. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSj5vsixFZ4 check out his goal around 1:30 and some of his forward pass and moving play before it. He is a calming influence on the ball and we've seen how he can read a game very well =) If Butt get's injured or has a couple of shockers I'd like to see Roz tested there. Edited October 26, 2007 by bassplayerjj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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