League form crucial, says Taylor

WELL DONE, MATE: Chris Taylor celebrates the draw at Charlton with Zander Diamond.

FITTER, happier and more productive, Chris Taylor is thankful for his unplanned mid-season break.

The winger hobbled off the field in the opening quarter at Bournemouth a month ago and sat out the following three games.

Since returning, his form has picked up significantly. The Springhead scamperer added an assist to his goal in the Southend FA Cup replay by setting up Filipe Morais's equaliser against Charlton at The Valley last weekend — a game he feels Athletic could have won.

"I have had two weeks off, but feel that I have come back stronger and sharper," said Taylor, who turned 25 earlier this week.

"And I feel that if I get enough of the ball, I can create things for the team. We got a very good result that could have been even better. I think we showed Charlton too much respect in the first half-hour.

"We didn't have the belief then, but once we started playing we caused them problems. After the equaliser, James Wesolowski was knocked in the area and we could have had a penalty had he not been honest in staying on his feet."

Athletic now face a run of three league games which could help shape a challenge for the top-six.

Hartlepool on Boxing Day and Notts County on New Year's Eve both visit Boundary Park, while Athletic travel to the B2net Stadium at Chesterfield on Monday, January 2 — all before the big third-round FA Cup tie at Liverpool.

"People will talk about the Liverpool game, we know that — it is a massive occasion," Taylor added.

"But inside the dressing room, we know that the league is our bread and butter.

"If we are serious about challenging for a play-off place, these are the games we need to be winning.

"Liverpool is huge, but the players want the chance to be turning out in the Championship, week-in, week-out. That is our goal. I don't think we are looking past these three matches."