Steven Taylor pleased with Coloccini partnership

Nov 25 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

STEVEN Taylor’s growing understanding with Fabricio Coloccini is helping Newcastle United to "win ugly" – something which the 23-year-old hopes they continue to make a habit of this season.

The Magpies’ latest 1-0 victory – at Preston North End on Monday – was far from a classic.

But a ninth clean sheet this term highlighted their new-found solidity. Taylor puts that down to a settled combination at the back, and singled out his much-maligned central defensive partner Coloccini for praise. "Preston threw a few different types of strikers at us, but I thought we dealt with them really well," commented Taylor. "I thought the defence was fantastic. Jose (Enrique) and Danny (Simpson) did really well, and I feel I’ve got a really good understanding with Coloccini at the minute.

"We feel settled as a back four, and I don’t really think there was a moment in the game where we felt threatened.

"Whatever they threw at us, we dealt with it well and it was a solid all-round performance.

"It’s nice that there hasn’t really been the chopping and changing in defence this season. I feel like I’ve got a decent understanding with Fabricio now and long may that continue. We work well together in training, and I think that shows on the pitch. That was our ninth clean sheet of the season, so that’s another positive. The more the merrier."

Entertainment was in short supply during Monday night’s televised clash at Deepdale, but Taylor took the nature of Newcastle’s win as a positive.

"I don’t mind winning ugly," he insisted. "I don’t care how we win games, as long as we get all three points. Everyone put a shift in. Sometimes you don’t play well as a team, but certain players can still get you something out of the game. Kevin (Nolan) came up with a goal with his left foot – sometimes a moment like that makes all the difference.