Steven Taylor's blunt message to Newcastle ahead of relegation run-in

Steven Taylor says it's time to 'stand up and be counted' at Newcastle United.
Steven TaylorSteven Taylor
Steven Taylor

The 18th-placed club is battling to stay in the Premier League.

Steve McClaren’s struggling side were hammered 5-1 by Chelsea on their last outing.

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The club could be deeper in trouble by the time they face Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday night given that their relegation rivals, including Sunderland, play this weekend.

Head coach McClaren took his players to La Manga, Spain, last week for a training camp and friendly against Lillestrom.

Long-serving defender Taylor is a veteran of the club’s last relegation in 2009.

And the 30-year-old’s admitting time is running out for United, who could be without captain Fabricio Coloccini against Stoke.

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“It’s getting to that stage now – 12 games to go – where we must fight together and pull the same way,” said Taylor.

“The lads accept responsibility. They took it on the chin after the (Chelsea) game and admitted, all over the park, they were better than us.”

Newcastle conceded three goals in the first 17 minutes against Chelsea.

And Taylor felt United could have no complaints about the scoreline given that they were “outclassed” all over the pitch.

“We have to learn from it,” said Taylor.

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“We got outclassed all over the pitch. Yes, they had world-class players all over the pitch, but we gave them too much respect.

“We have to take it on the chin. We have to stand up and be counted now.

“They lads knew. Everyone accepted responsibility. The gaffer knew it.

“We have to look at the goals and we’ve got to improve our away form.

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“It’s not good enough. It’s worrying. Four of the next six games are away, and it’s a difficult time.

“We have to stick together. We’ve got players coming back from injury.”

Taylor had helped Newcastle keep a rare clean sheet against West Bromwich Albion on his return to the starting XI earlier this month.

But there was no case for the defence at Stamford Bridge.

“It wasn’t good enough,” said Taylor. “We hold our hands up. It was a completely different game (to West Brom).

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“We were too open. There were too many gaps. We gave them too much respect. It was exactly what West Brom did to us.

“They punished us. They don’t miss many chance.”

Meanwhile, Taylor could have a new defensive partner at the Britannia Stadium, with Coloccini struggling with a calf problem.

McClaren is expected to turn to Jamaal Lascelles if Coloccini fails to prove his fitness.