Our full backs to adapt to new roles

FULL-BACKS Andrew Taylor and Kevin McNaughton are having to rein in their attacking instincts as they adapt their roles for Cardiff City this season.

Squad changes, including the arrival of Craig Noone, Tommy Smith, Craig Bellamy and Kim Bo-Kyung has given the Bluebirds an extra attacking edge from wide areas.

Kim has yet to make his City debut, but he showed for South Korea in the Olympics that he has the pace and ability to give opposing defenders a tough time.


Full-backs Taylor and McNaughton had to chase forward to help out in attack last season because manager Malky Mackay’s men simply didn’t have those options.

Now they choose their moments to get forward and join in the attack a little more carefully.

“I like getting forward and join in with attacks where I can, but sometimes you have to free those forwards ahead of you to do what they do best,” says Taylor.

Having players with their quality helps everybody in the team.”

Noone and Smith started in home wins against Wolves and Leeds. Both look certain to be given the nod again when City take on Millwall at the Den this evening.

“Both are excellent players,” Taylor told Cardiff City Player. “Craig is really exciting to watch and somebody who will get fans on the edges of their seats time and time again.

“He can make such devastating runs and showed that when he set off from the edge of our own area against Wolves and nearly scored.

“I’m not sure we had players who could do that for us last season.

“Nooney could be a big player for us this season.”

Taylor, 26, made more than 50 first team appearances for the Bluebirds last season and is ever-present after five Championship fixtures this season.

Hartlepool-born Taylor joined City from Middlesbrough during the summer of 2011 as Mackay started his rebuilding job at the club.

He played under Mackay on loan at Watford and jumped at the chance to link up with the manager again.

The Bluebirds brought in 10 new signings for the new season and Taylor says: “Cardiff are a club that is really ready for Premier League football and we’ll do all we can to get there this season.

“We’re looking strong in defence and attack with plenty of strength in depth. There is certainly plenty to feel optimistic about.”

Taylor headed home to the North East of England for a short spell during the international break, but now he is focused on tonight’s Championship clash at Millwall. City have five League games between now and the next break for international fixtures and a decent haul of points of needed to maintain a challenge inside the top six.

Those five big clashes are Millwall and Crystal Palace, both away, home games against Blackpool and Birmingham plus a long haul to Ipswich Town on Saturday, October 6.



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z26mrD2Pzh

Walesonline havent been trawling our board for material again have they???

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=91108&p=887014#p887014

Glad to hear this as Taylor needs to concentrate on defending and not backing off or standing on the edge of our penalty area every time an opposing winger makes a run to the byline.

since the change in formation two games ago mcnaughton has looked a different player, while Taylor is increasingly looking like the weak link in the defense, a shame really as he was so consistant last season.

since the change in formation two games ago mcnaughton has looked a different player, while Taylor is increasingly looking like the weak link in the defense, a shame really as he was so consistant last season.

Agree, the responsibilty of trying to provide crosses was too much for McNaughton and he is now doing again what he does best - defending.

Really believe taylor is a weak link and we need better cover for him

This suits Kev as he cannot pass water, however Taylor is a real concern for me.

I was right behind him Saturday when he got turned inside out on the by-line. More alarming he tried to shout at everyonelse bar himself. I cant stand that when people try to blame others for their mistakes, not just in football, but in life in general.

This suits Kev as he cannot pass water, however Taylor is a real concern for me.

I was right behind him Saturday when he got turned inside out on the by-line. More alarming he tried to shout at everyonelse bar himself. I cant stand that when people try to blame others for their mistakes, not just in football, but in life in general.

Definetly agree, Taylor steps off his man too much and lets them beat him most games. Plus he cant head for shit.

Really believe taylor is a weak link and we need better cover for him

Agreed,he never seems to get tight to his opponent for my liking

I don't get this thing with Taylor

Listening to the game tonight, I think Kev loves having Smith in front of him. He seems to link up really well