Viduka was an ‘animal’
Taylor ready for Aussies
FORMER Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor will have his work cut out thwarting A-League strikers this season, but none will compare with an old Aussie teammate. Mark Viduka spent two years at the Magpies, with no one knowing at the time it would be his last club before he quietly faded into the sunset. Taylor, who had just established himself as a first-team player for his local club when Viduka signed from Middlesbrough in 2007, said Viduka could have been a Toon Army favourite, but injuries curtailed his brilliance. “He (Viduka) was an animal,” Taylor said. “For a big fella he was great with his feet; he had a big arse and when that arse gets into ya, you ain’t moving it. “I was a young kid at the time and having him coming in and helping us … he was a good guy. Him and (Alan) Shearer were brilliant to be around. “If he was there longer he could have left his mark.”
Taylor, 32, who will line up for Wellington Phoenix against Melbourne City tonight, said his 13-year stint with the Premier League outfit had provided the perfect grounding for the A-League’s biggest challenge.
He fondly recalled playing at St James’ Park, living out a childhood dream.
“I was a ball boy and left school at 16 … playing in front of 52,000, living the dream. Unbelievable,’’ he said.
“You don’t understand unless you go to Newcastle — they eat, sleep, drink football.
“We’ve had big names, but sometimes they can’t handle the pressure with the fans; they can eat you up if you don’t deliver and give it 100 per cent … you’re out that door.
“I’m always watching the games at 2am, 3am or 5am.
“I’ll never miss a game, still speak to the players and staff, and want them to do well.”
Taylor warned A-League fans not to write Phoenix off.
“The past few years with Wellington struggling, this was the biggest challenge presented to me and it’s something I’ve relished all my career,’’ he said. “When you play for Newcastle for 14 years you’ve got that every week — you’re always the underdogs.”