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Taylor eyes Latics return
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 19 July 2010
CHRIS Taylor is in line to return to the Athletic team for tomorrow night’s home friendly with Premier League side Wigan.
The winger hobbled out of the game at Barrow earlier this month with what was feared to be a pulled hamstring.
On closer examination it was found to merely be cramp and the 23-year-old was down to feature against Falkirk on Saturday, before pulling up after over-stretching for a ball in training on the eve of the game.
Manager Paul Dickov said after the disappointing 2-0 defeat to the Scottish side that Taylor, who is set to train today, was the closest of all his injured players to making a return.
After a miserable season last time out, the winger — highlighted as one of the squad’s major talents by assistant boss Gerry Taggart at last week’s fans’ forum — will be keen to get as much game-time in him as possible in order to hit the ground running come the start of the npower League One campaign.
The Wigan game comes too soon for the club’s other injured players.
Captain Sean Gregan has had an injection in a bid to overcome an Achilles problem picked up while running prior to the start of pre-season and Deane Smalley should resume training in a week-and-a-half after a minor groin operation.
Long-term absentees Rob Purdie, Joe Jacobson and Andy Holdsworth are also not too far away from getting a run-out.
Dickov is set to name a strong side for tomorrow’s game, with those men who don’t play likely to instead turn out on Wednesday night in a friendly away to Mossley (7.30pm kick-off). Admission prices have been set at £5 adults, £2 concessions.
Dickov said: “We set the standard against Burnley and that has to be there for every game.
“I can’t expect the players to be at it, 100-per-cent of every game. I have to be realistic but I also want them to know that they set their own level.
“It wasn’t me, or Gerry, or anyone else. And if we are to have half a chance this year then that is the level we have to be at.”
Dickov also said that he wasn’t about to pull on his own boots just yet.
“It is important as manager that I have a good look at everybody at my disposal,” he added.
ATHLETIC have banned use of the vuvuzela at Boundary Park.
The musical instrument proved popular in the recent World Cup in South Africa, but won’t be welcome closer to home.
“We have had a number of fans contacting us requesting the vuvuzela to be banned from Boundary Park which is why we have taken the decision,” said Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy.
Comments
thats just brilliant that.
taylor hobbles off with a pulled hamstring which turns out to be cramp
i can see it now i bet he acted like someone shot him.
oh how i cant wait for the sugar plum fairy to run down that left wing beating all in front of him.
awaiting lovely responses from all you ginger whinger lovers
ATHLETIC have banned use of the vuvuzela at Boundary Park.
Good!
Fact is that Taylor is probably the most talented player at the club, hence the interest shown in him by other clubs. It doesn't do any harm for him to be reminded of that fact and I'm sure Dickov will have politely explained to Taylor that he needs to produce the goods this season, he's not a kid anymore.
Good man management imo
Why is banning the vuvuzela good? It's not like there's gonna be thousands of them blown at games is it? Even if they were allowed they would've been drowned out by the 'Dickov Out' songs come November time anyway.
Typical overreaction by Hardy..a few complaints and a blanket ban is introduced. These are probably the selfsame 'supporters' who spend the entire match abusing the manager and team in the vilest language. The atmosphere at BP is dire enough as it is without this ludicrous decision.
Banning the vuvuzela, eh? Well, they managed to ban entertaining football last season...now it's the crowd's turn.
OMG you must be the biggest set of moaners in the world. Everyone get a grip. Chris Taylor had a bad season blighted by injury. Give the lad a chance. He also plays out of position on the LEFT not his natural right position. Stop having a go at Hardy if he goes we will be in the mire
Never mind the vuvuzela lets bring back the RATTLE! Younger fans probably wont know what I am on about. They got banned when they started being used as weapons.
Taylor a major talent is a joke and Dickov will find out only too soon. When he burst into the team he got the ball and ran at defenders, he would beat them and then fail to deliver the killer cross or pass. OK he had a good start season before last coming in off the wing to score at back post but his goal / game ratio speaks volumes
chris taylor would be a major asset if he can stay free from injury. under dave penny he whenever he recieved the ball he had two defenders in front of him and there was never any full back in support. he was singled out as our only threat early on in a season blighted by injury. anyone who has ever played football will know that it takes a while to get back to full match fitness and sharpness following injury. in my opinion he suffered because of his willingness to play unfit
Taylor had a bad season last year due to injury, so let's hope he gets fit soon. By the way, how many players can do one bit of magic and win a game for us? Not many. Taylor, best player at club! Can't believe he gets moaned about. C'mon Latics! ps, re Saturday, Brill, you're supposed to move when a forward hit's a shot at goal!
Accy Blue..........many of us agree that Taylor is a very good player..........but he hasn't moved on from his first couple of seasons. Maybe, he needs to look at his own performances, his propensity for falling over and remonstrating with the officials when decisions don't go his way. All in all, Taylor needs to grow up!!!
Lee please enlighten me, why would we be in the mire if Hardy left, he puts no money into the club but takes a lot from it in high wages.
Chaddyender. The man loves the club, he is Mr athletic, again its so easy to take a pop at the club and the players, just a shame theres so much negativity around the club and this board is typical of it. Its a bloomin shame as alot of good work goes on at a club on limited resources. (VERY Limited)
Have Your Say
I wish managers/assistant managers would stop refering to Chris Taylor as a major talent at the club. I know the guy had some injury worries last season but I can't help thinking that this became a bit of an excuss when his form dipped. The lad needs to get his head down, work on his game, and be treated like the rest of the team. There were times last season when his attitude towards referees was not that great. I just think he needs to come back down to earth, and realise who he is.
By DT @ 19/07/2010 12:38:39