Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Taylor: It Would Be a Special Moment If It Happens
Tuesday, 30th Apr 2024 06:00 by Kallum Brisset

Town midfielder Jack Taylor admitted it would be a dream come true to play in the Premier League, but is not getting carried away ahead of a busy week with two big matches still to play.

The Blues are currently third in the Championship table, level on points with Leeds United ahead of their game in hand this evening away at Coventry City.

Four points from the trip to the West Midlands and Saturday’s home game with all-but-relegated Huddersfield Town will guarantee the Blues a top-flight return for the first time in 22 years.

Asked whether playing in the promised land would fulfil a childhood dream, Taylor said: “It would, but you can’t get carried away because you’ve seen in the past where it can affect teams mentally. We’re bang on it and back in training today and we’ll be ready for Tuesday night.

“We know what’s on the line and we’re going to go for the win like we have all season, whether it’s away at Elland Road [lost 4-0 at Leeds United] which didn’t work out like we wanted it to.

“We’ve gone into every game wanting to win, not trying to get a point. As long as we stick to our system and principles, I think we’ll get the job done.”

Taylor knows that the Blues have their destiny is in their own hands with the finish line in sight and has dared to dream about the prospect of the club achieving back-to-back promotions come Saturday afternoon without worrying about events elsewhere.

He said: “It’s that stage of the season where it is in our own hands, it’s not like we have five games to go and we need a certain amount of wins – it’s down to two.

“We can’t really afford to lose, but we’re going to go into both games wanting to win and end on however many points that leaves us on. It’s a special group of special players and we’re so looking forward to playing.


“It would obviously be special and it’s probably worked out better. Rather than sealing the deal away at Coventry, we can do it at home in front of our supporters that have been with us all season.

“It would be special, but we’ve got to stay level-headed and we know we’ve got a very important game on Tuesday.”

The Premier League is considered by many to be football’s elite competition and Taylor is no different, describing the top flight as a special place to be a part of.

“As a boy growing up I didn’t watch a lot of Championship or League One football,” he said. “It was always the Premier League.

“Looking at the stadiums you’re playing in against the players and the support that the teams get, it’s the biggest stage in the world.

“It will be a special moment if and when it does happen, but we’re all just really focused on getting the job done and getting the three points on Tuesday.”

With the end goal so close, supporters have been feeling stressful and anxious about the prospect of such important matches at the business end of the season.

However, while Taylor feels the same as a spectator, he admitted that tension goes away when he steps onto the pitch and focuses on the task at hand.

“It’s stressful when you’re watching from the sidelines waiting to come on, but once you’re on you don’t feel any sort of pressure,” he said.

“We know each other’s individual jobs and what we can do and bring to the game, whether we need a goal or need to see it out.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t the other day [against Hull City] but it’s another big game on Tuesday so no matter how the game plays out we know we need to do.”

Since arriving as one of League One’s hottest prospects from Peterborough United in a £1.5million deal last summer, Taylor has applied himself as a valued member of the Blues first team this campaign.

While not being a regular starter with only seven league starts to his name, the Londoner has featured in 31 of the Blues’ 44 matches in the Championship this season, having missed six games in February through injury.

Taylor summed up his first season in Suffolk as a promising one, despite understandably wishing he had started more games in the Blues’ midfield.

He said: “It’s been a bit of a strange one, to be honest. Obviously the team has done so well and I feel like I’ve made an impact when I’ve needed to.

“I am happy with how it’s gone, but obviously you can always go better. The position we’re in now, I’m just going to do whatever I can to make an impact and try and make special moments.”

He added: “You know when you’re coming into a game like the other night when it was 3-2, it was about trying to be clever and try and get hold of the game again because it was getting like a basketball game.

“The subs that Hull made were attacking so it was about trying to get control back into the game, which I thought I brought. I came on in more of an attacking position, which I’m used to having played there most of last season.

“I thought I did well, but every game is different and you’ve got to come on and adjust as quick as you can because the speed of the game is either really quick like the other night and sometimes you need to slow it down.”

Asked if he feels Town have seen the best of him, Taylor responded: “Personally, no. I think I’ve shown it in spells but probably not consistently. I feel like I’ve got so much more to give.”


Photo: Matchday Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



Dutchman1 added 07:24 - Apr 30
The next Roy Keane.
1

Europablue added 07:33 - Apr 30
Dutchman1 Not a kind comparison!
-1

dirtydingusmagee added 08:59 - Apr 30
hell of a big game tonight , wont be easy thats for sure . Coventry may be out of playoffs but they are not on holiday yet, Lets not put the cart before the horse .,!. COYB
4

Pilgrimblue added 09:53 - Apr 30
I’d start jack to bring more presence in mid. He’s taller and stronger and could score. Not sure about lb as would like left footed but then again defence needs to be strong as possible
0

raycrawfordswig added 10:16 - Apr 30
Just one point Tonight three on Saturday. COYMB.
0

Saxonblue74 added 10:27 - Apr 30
I'd be delighted for the whole squad, but in particular Woolfenden and Clarke. Imagine getting promoted to the Premier league with your boyhood club, what a dream come true.
4

Saxonblue74 added 10:28 - Apr 30
.....just don't lose tonight and we're almost there!
1

TimmyH added 12:37 - Apr 30
Not the right mentality Saxon...go to win it! by the way I've been a tad disappointed in Taylor this season, rarely catches the eye other than when he scored one of his two pearlers - other than that.
-1

Saxonblue74 added 13:06 - Apr 30
Wasn't suggesting for a second we don't play to win Timmy, just saying don't lose!
0

TimmyH added 14:28 - Apr 30
Yes agree...all out for the win.
0

joyousblue added 16:31 - Apr 30
If i was two meaningless hames away from my holidays ie coventry i know i wouldnt be going in for those 50/50 tacklesand its those kind of actions that win games 6.0 ipswich and im here in coventry
0

Suffolkboy added 16:38 - Apr 30
I’m sure there’ll be a steady hand on the tiller . a crew well Captained and the strategy and tactics well prepared ! KM brings a very very calm sense of authority and enthusiasm but never ever seems to publicly ‘ throw anything out of the pram’ !
We are so so wrapped into the fairytale that’s ITFC right now , with huge hopes and nearly desperate expectation ,but for most of us we can only watch from afar !
Come on you Blues ,you’ve been a wonderful example and ‘played’ the sport in the best fashion !
Go for it !
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024