Great scapegoats of our time – Neil Taylor

[Risso]

Urgh, hate the word 'scapegoat'.

Me too. For two reasons. Firstly, it is almost always the accompaniment to someone clambering onto a moral high horse. Secondly, it is frequently used by people who don’t understand what it means.

Yes, and erm, yes.

[chrisw1]

He just wasn't very good.  Always thought it was an odd signing.

[LeeB]

He was solid if limited, he held his position well and gave the defence better balance when he played over others that were considered better players.

I think back to that game when we first came up at Wulvz, when Targett was having his dignity stripped by Traore. The sight of Taylor coming on to replace him was not comforting in the circumstances, yet he actually sorted the problem by just not getting himself too tight to the fucker.

Anyway, he played a big part in us getting back up and for that he'll always have my love and respect.

[AV82EC]

After his quite frankly appalling display  at the 3-0 away defeat at Wigan he got some form back and was a key part of the team that got back up. As others have said, a solid if unspectacular performer who seems to get a nosebleed in the attacking third.

[SoccerHQ]

Taylor seemed to lose a bit of an edge / competitive  instinct after he broke Seamus Coleman's leg on international duty. Was excellent as a championship full back for us before that.

Excellent? Taylor at his best was no better than average and at his worst, horrid.

I always thought he was pretty good at Swansea. Was excited when we signed him from Swansea but was pretty average.

Like Glen Whelan though he played his part in getting us up in 2019 and that shouldn't be forgotten.

Had no idea he played for Boro until I watched him charging past all the idle Man. United players at various points on Friday.

[Drummond]

After his quite frankly appalling display  at the 3-0 away defeat at Wigan he got some form back and was a key part of the team that got back up. As others have said, a solid if unspectacular performer who seems to get a nosebleed in the attacking third.

Who was the last one that didn't? I have a fondness for a good full back but struggling to think of a really decent one for a while.

[AV82EC]

After his quite frankly appalling display  at the 3-0 away defeat at Wigan he got some form back and was a key part of the team that got back up. As others have said, a solid if unspectacular performer who seems to get a nosebleed in the attacking third.

Who was the last one that didn't? I have a fondness for a good full back but struggling to think of a really decent one for a while.

We’ve just signed him <winky thing>

[Risso]

After his quite frankly appalling display  at the 3-0 away defeat at Wigan he got some form back and was a key part of the team that got back up. As others have said, a solid if unspectacular performer who seems to get a nosebleed in the attacking third.

He was criminally bad that day. Wasn't alone though, to be fair. I can't quite believe we've got Digne now, after the array of frankly abysmal left backs we had when we were crap. (Not necessarily including Taylor in that).

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He was solid if limited, he held his position well and gave the defence better balance when he played over others that were considered better players.

I think back to that game when we first came up at Wulvz, when Targett was having his dignity stripped by Traore. The sight of Taylor coming on to replace him was not comforting in the circumstances, yet he actually sorted the problem by just not getting himself too tight to the fucker.

Anyway, he played a big part in us getting back up and for that he'll always have my love and respect.

Agreed. Defensively he was trusted, reliable and took some unfair flack on several occasions when the real culprit was Mings. Never once faulted his commitment, always gave his best but attacking wise he offered next to nothing. He's an old school left back and did exactly what was on the tin. Seems a very decent fella too.

[AV82EC]

After his quite frankly appalling display  at the 3-0 away defeat at Wigan he got some form back and was a key part of the team that got back up. As others have said, a solid if unspectacular performer who seems to get a nosebleed in the attacking third.

He was criminally bad that day. Wasn't alone though, to be fair. I can't quite believe we've got Digne now, after the array of frankly abysmal left backs we had when we were crap. (Not necessarily including Taylor in that).

Was it the second goal where the bloke beat him and he just threw his hands in the air and gave up?

Joe Bennett…..shudders…

[dcdavecollett]

When I first wrote 'scapegoat' pieces long ago, I actually outlined what the term meant. No doubt it would be seen as tedious to do that for every article of its type.

So yes, I do know what a scapegoat is and I apply it in the spirit of general sympathy (not without recognising shortcomings) regrding players who have played for us and been under-rated.

Strange to relate, on completing any of these pieces, I have never remotely felt superior to anyone else. Perhaps I should seek out a good analyst.

I presume I will occasionally write articles on this subject as long as there are folks around who loudly proclaim how crap Keinan Davis is as a footballer, or at least they were until a few weeks ago.