Greg Abbott keeping faith in Tom Taiwo

Jan 7 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

GREG Abbott hailed Tom Taiwo as the perfect fit for his Carlisle United side after clinching a permanent deal for the midfielder.

Carlisle have tied Taiwo down on a two-and-a-half year contract and Abbott predicts big things from a player he believes can only get better.

While the Cumbrians are braced for disappointment in their bid to sign Vincent Pericard – who is set to join Southampton next week – the signing of Taiwo is a major fillip for Abbott’s January transfer plans.

It also gives the teenager a new start in a career that got off to a controversial start when he moved to Chelsea from Leeds amid allegations from Ken Bates that he had been “poached” from the Elland Road club. He went on to play just seven times for Chelsea’s reserves but the waspish midfielder has been outstanding since moving to Brunton Park, scoring once in 28 games and showing a fierce will to win.

“Tom is exactly the kind of player that we want at our club. We have seen from the games that he has played that he is committed and always gives us 100% and he has thoroughly enjoyed his time with us,” Abbott said.

“We are now looking forward to working with him and watching him improve even further, because we think he still has a lot to give.” The relationship between Abbott and Taiwo has been key to brokering the deal, with the 19-year-old keen to repay the faith that the Carlisle boss has shown in him.

Taiwo has certainly progressed since an uneventful loan spell with League Two Port Vale last season and believes that Carlisle are entitled to expect big things for the rest of the season.

“I know Greg Abbott really well and he has been fantastic with me,” he said. “He has shown a bit of faith in me and given me first-team football and, hopefully, I have repaid that in the way that I have played.

“I know I have to keep working hard, and signing a permanent deal doesn’t change that, but that’s exactly what I intend to do. The lads have been brilliant with me and there was no hesitation at all in making this decision.

“We’ve shown with our team performances that we can match anyone, and the results have started to come for us over the last few weeks. Hopefully that will continue and it will be a good season for everyone.”