Taylor impressing after ‘difficult’ start to life at Rovers
I had Covid just before the start of the season so that was stop-start, plus I had a little injury
BRISTOL Rovers defender Connor Taylor feels hopeful he’s taken the chance given to him by Joey Barton after enduring a tough start to the season.
Taylor joined Rovers on loan from Stoke City and, like many of his new team-mates, had to contend with a disrupted pre-season after contracting Covid-19 and suffering a minor injury.
The 19-year-old started his first game for the Gas in the 2-0 defeat to League One Cheltenham in the Carabao Cup, during which he was at fault for the second goal.
Following that error, Taylor was left out of the squad for three games, until he was brought back in for the trip to Barrow last Saturday and has since kept his place for the recent visits of Cheltenham and Crawley to the Memorial Stadium.
“I think it was a difficult start to the season for me,” said Taylor. “I had Covid just before the start of the season so that was stop-start, plus I had a little injury.
“I’ll always work hard on and off the pitch and be as professional as I can when the gaffer gives me a chance, try to take it and hopefully I’ve done that.”
Taylor replaced the recently departed Jack Baldwin on the right of the Rovers’ back three for the draw at Barrow.
However, he was moved into the centre for the weekend’s clash with
Crawley after impressing in midweek against Cheltenham, with Cian Harries and Alfie Kilgour either side of him.
The three defenders were kept very busy throughout the 90 minutes as Crawley enjoyed the majority of chances, while Rovers struggled to get a foothold in the game.
“We weren’t at our best in terms of on the ball, we’re not always going to be like that,” Taylor added. “But I thought defensively we were top drawer, the players that started wanted to throw their body on the line.”
While Leon Clarke scored the allimportant goal which moved Rovers up to 16th in League Two, Taylor had high praise for some other players that helped the Gas to another victory.
“I thought Nick Anderton when he came on threw his head in front of everything to see the game out and get three points,” he said.
“Belly as well (James Belshaw), ever since he’s come in, has given assurance to everyone in front of
him. He talks, he’s commanding and he made some big saves.”
While the performance was disjointed in places, Rovers seem to be developing the knack of winning games when not being at their best as they still attempt to gel as a
squad. Although the displays from an attacking point of view leave a lot to be desired, Taylor believes that Rovers can build on the foundations they lay in defence.
“I think all teams that are successful, keeping the ball out of the
net is one of the most important things.
“You can score goals but if you’re letting goals in, it’s no benefit really,” said Taylor. “But that’s two clean sheets on the bounce and we’ve just got to continue that.”