Wingers take centre stage with Taylor in the Roots Hall stands to see superb show
HE’s worked with Pompey on the training ground, particularly helping the wingers hone in on certain aspects of their game.
And for the victory over Southend on Tuesday evening, Peter Taylor could take heart that his Blues tutorials are having a tangible impact.
The ex-Leicester and
England caretaker manager was ensconced in the Roots Hall directors' box for the 3-0 win in the EFL Trophy.
Taylor arrived at the ground with Kenny Jackett and was back at one of his former stomping grounds, having made his professional debut for Southend during his playing days.
Last month, the 67-yearold was at Pompey's Hilsea training base, closely working with the wingers.
He imparted his knowledge on Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Ryan Williams – having operated on the flank for the likes of Tottenham and Crystal Palace throughout his career – paying close attention to them receiving the ball on the outside foot.
Certainly, there was plenty of encouragement to take from Pompey's wide men’s displays in the past two games.
On his return to the starting line-up after being dropped at Burton, Curtis fired a double either side of half-time against Southend.
Williams, meanwhile, ran amok and wreaked havoc on the Shrimpers' rearguard throughout the 90 minutes.
A goal would have capped off a fine performance, with the exRotherham man missing a decent opportunity within two minutes. Harness was given a welldeserved rest at Roots Hall, having plundered a sublime hattrick in the 4-2 win at Burton in League One last Saturday. Michael Jacobs started on the left flank at the Pirelli Stadium and he’s another that Taylor could be working with in the future.
As could Haji Mnoga and
Cam Pring after Jackett surprisingly rolled out a 3-4-3 formation at Southend. Mnoga was many fans’ man of the match as he showed superb pace and energy to get up the flank, while Pring delivered several inviting crosses in the
Peter Taylor took charge of one game as England caretaker manager in 2000
box.
Taylor’s likely to return and work with Pompey's wingers again at some point, with Jackett often liking someone from outside his usual coaching staff to come and give a different approach to training. Stuart Pearce was another face who’d regularly help out before returning to West Ham’s coaching staff in the summer.
In the meantime, the Blues boss will be hoping for more of the same from his wingers when his side face MK Dons on Saturday.