Ash Taylor

[LA-Don]

Well, thought he had a good game yesterday but obviously at fault for the goal. I really feel for the guy, he's definitely a committed worker who gives his best in every game but he is the typical bomb scare and sadly in his position errors cost goals. He has his strengths but he's costing us regularly and while losing Ward and Rooney cost us the league last year, Ash will cost us goals and games, and that error could have a huge impact on staying in Europe (although Rooney's missed header was a bad one too.) Don't see us signing anyone soon though, fully expect DM to gives Morris a shot if and when fit and we've got quite a few central defenders. All I see is big Ash getting more and more dogs abuse and he's not going to get any better. Disappointing, DM hasn't fixed an ongoing problem position and it will cost us.

[Reidzer 1314]

I have always been a fan of Taylor but I agree that his mistakes are becoming a little too frequent now and maybe a spell out of the first team will do him good. I also think that he played well last night up until that bomb scare moment that cost us the away goal.

 

It is now becoming that case with Taylor that is it not a question of 'if' he is going to make a mistake but more of 'when' he is going to make a mistake.

[manc_don]

Can't really disagree with either of the posts. I didn't want to say it during the game because I thought it would jinx it but he fucked up anyway. Genuinely was surprised by his performance last night. We clearly need another centre half price we're going to end up in this position more often than not. Which is a shame as I thought we played really well last night and the team didn't deserve that. I was actually surprised maribor didn't try to exploit him more often.

 

New centre half please DM, has o'connor played anymore games during the friendlies in that position?

[ayrshire_don74]

Look at the game they got acres of space through the middle he was dragged out of positions on numerous occasions and nearly got caught with similar mistake that cost the goal, he didnt have a good game.

 

Ash might be a big guy but he gets out muscled a lot for his size and actually he isnt anywhere near as dominant as he should be, the guy is a liability and if we really want to improve and challenge he needs to be replaced

[Reidzer 1314]

I dont know why we dont try O'Connor in the centre of midfield along side Jack. I thought Jack was superb last night, getting forward, closing the space down. With O'Connor being more defensive minded I would love to see how that pairing would work.

[manc_don]

I dont know why we dont try O'Connor in the centre of midfield along side Jack. I thought Jack was superb last night, getting forward, closing the space down. With O'Connor being more defensive minded I would love to see how that pairing would work.

 

Completely agree. Is that not the pairing he tried out in a friendly? You raise a good point and something that I think TC, Chimp and ED discussed at one time.  McLean and Jacko just don't seem to work, which is incredibly frustrating as they are both brilliant players on their day.  Jack in recent weeks has shown the form he showed at the start of last season.  I was thoroughly impressed with him last night and Tosh was absolutely right to slate the fans for having a go after he misplaced ONE pass in something like the 87th min...

 

Don't get me wrong, I've criticized him over the past 6 months and I don't think he should be captain, but on his day, he is an outstanding player.

 

Back on topic: Ayrshire don, I think you're being a big harsh on him.  He definitely had one of his better games last night (not a high benchmark, granted).