Taylor says United set to take on the world

Jul 31 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United will adopt an “us against the world” mentality to try to get back into the Premier League at the first attempt.

The Magpies have been widely mocked after a miserable summer but Steven Taylor says the derision has made Newcastle more united.

There was plenty of gloating from the away end during Wednesday’s pre-season friendly, even though it was populated by Leeds United fans who have endured an even sharper fall from grace.

And Saturday’s 6-1 defeat by League One side Leyton Orient was met with undisguised glee in some quarters.

“There’s a massive siege mentality within the dressing room,” said the defender, a former season ticket holder at St James’s Park. “We know we’re there to be shot at at the moment, but we’re pulling together as a squad. We’ve brought some of the younger lads into the senior changing room, and formed a really close group. The younger lads are going to be with us throughout the season so we want them to get a feel of what it’s going to be like.

“It’s a close squad now and we have to be like that. Maybe we weren’t like that last season, but this season we certainly need to be.

“Things can turn around very quickly at this football club. You feel as though it’s us against the world at times, and that can be a massive

thing. When we win, I don’t think we get the credit we deserve, but that’s something you get with playing for this football club. If you don’t like it, quit if you want. We need players who want to play for this club.”

With Obafemi Martins hoping to conclude a £7.8m move to Wolfsburg and no new signings, Taylor has warned hard graft will be needed in the Championship, and only those committed to the cause need apply.

“It’s going to be a very difficult season,” he acknowledged. “We’re going to be playing three games in a week fairly regularly, but we’re just going to have to get our heads down and get on with it. We’re going to have to look out for each other and stick together.

“Everybody is going to have to graft in every game. If people didn’t want to be at the club, they would be pulling out of challenges and hiding. Every player who played against Leeds wants to play for Newcastle United.