We owe fans gift of a win – Taylor

Apr 15 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

STEVEN Taylor has promised Newcastle United’s loyal supporters the present they probably want more than any other this season – a derby win – and to give himself one, too, by scoring against their local rivals.

The centre-back was born in Greenwich but brought up a black-and-white in Whitley Bay. Taylor has offered to give his team-mates a lesson in the importance of Tyne-Wear clashes but does not think any will need to take him up on it.

But the 22-year-old’s prime concern is to pay back the fans who have followed their team through thin and thinner this season.

“The fans deserve a little present from us. Definitely,” he said. “We need to send them home happy, it’ll be a lift for the city as well. They’ve been very frustrated this season, because it’s been difficult, but they’ve stood behind us throughout.

“They’ve never shut up when it comes to their support, they’ve been absolutely brilliant. A win against Sunderland would just top that off.

“I’ve promised I’m going to score again this season and it’s definitely going to happen on Sunday.”

United have already played Sunderland once this season, at the Stadium of Light, and Taylor does not expect any of his team-mates to be surprised by the atmosphere.

“No team talk will be needed for the game against Sunderland,” he said. “Once you cross that white line, the 11 playing will know what it means to the fans.

“We need to make sure we give them three points. I’ll definitely be telling the foreign lads what the Sunderland game means to the club, although I don’t think I’ll need to do that, to be fair. They played in the other game at the Stadium of Light when, to be fair, we didn’t play to our best. Hopefully we’ll bring them to St James’s Park, play better and have a good day.”