It is harsh to criticise a man who has spent more than two seasons out with serious knee injuries - but Ryan Taylor has not returned to the Newcastle first-team as the same player he was before. He still offers leadership, but his footballing abilities have been found wanting in recent months. His set-pieces were once again woeful against West Brom - Ayoze Perez's goal came from a poor free-kick that was only half-cleared - and he is simply not able to keep up with the pace of the Premier League when he plays in defensive-midfield. Saido Berahino ghosted past him with 10 minutes of the match remaining and almost won the game for the Baggies, while Taylor was also nowhere near Victor Anichebe for West Brom's opener. Taylor was also booked for a silly foul, and generally he had another poor day in a Magpies shirt. This all begs the question - what on earth has the athletic and adventurous Mehdi Abeid done to John Carver to be unable to usurp Taylor in the Newcastle starting line-up? For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
