Martin Taylor Speaks to Joys and Sorrows

March 3, 2010 by KevB8ll · 1 Comment
Filed under: Blues News, Players 

One of our forum regulars, “Cliffmann,”  is a friend of Martin Taylor. He offered to speak to Martin to gain an interview for Joys and Sorrows.

So over to Cliff:

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Joe Hart, Blues, Match Attacks. That’s probably my 7 year old sons current loves in life in the right order. Match Attacks for those unfamiliar with them are cards of the current premier league teams which give stars based on attack and defence ability.

Alex (my son not Eck!) has changed favourite players like most people change socks, Cameron Jerome, Frank Queudrue and Martin Taylor have all been one time preferences. So this year he was a bit surprised Tiny was not in the match attack pack, so we found a card on the internet of Martin from a previous season. When he saw it he was aghast at the fact Martin only had one star, not the maximum of 5 for either attack or defence.

The reason for telling the story is that we know Martin quite well as a family, so next time Alex saw him he decided he would not call him Martin any more and he would be affectionately known as “one star”. One of the funniest things I have ever seen is seeing this massively tall man struggling to come up with a suitable put down for a 3ft 7 year old.

So when he left the club for Watford in January without the chance to say goodbye to the fans I thought it would be nice for him to say goodbye and also maybe think of a response to his new nickname.

“Love the questions mate, something a bit different to usual. I think whoever decided on my one star status must have been watching one of my poorer performances. I always feel it’s better to be underestimated than overestimated, it gives you the chance to surprise an opponent who may have thought they were gonna get an easy game. That aside it was great banter from Alex!

Just a quick note to the fans to say thank you for all the support I received when I was at the club. It’s probably a standard thing to say for a player who leaves a club but I think I can sincerely say that I received fantastic support especially during a certain difficult period of my career and that loyalty from the blues fans helped my family and I enormously.

I’ve always enjoyed speaking to fans that I bump into around and about, they’ve always got good footballing opinions of what’s happening at the club. All in all it’s been a pleasure to play for Birmingham City. Thank you”

1. How did the move to the club originally come about?

It was a few years ago now, Jan 2004 to be precise but Blackburn were going through a bit of a transition. We’d had a good season the year before but some new faces were brought in and I found it more difficult to hold down a place. Sometimes as a professional you get the feeling that your time at a club has passed and you need to move on to further your career. Birmingham showed a lot of interest and were doing very well at that time. I spoke to a couple of lads who were at the club already and it sounded like an excellent opportunity to come to a club that was on the up. It took a couple of weeks to sort out but just before the window closed I found myself 100 miles down the M6 playing at the blues.

2. What was Bruce like as a manager?

I enjoyed my time working with Steve Bruce as a manager, he had wealth of knowledge of the game that he liked to pass on to his players. There were periods when I was at the club that I would have preferred to play more games under him but I always felt that he believed in me as a player who could do a job for him. He had a good team working with him, I thought Erik Black in particular was a very good coach

3. When the new owners came in did you as a player notice a changed atmosphere or is it a press myth?

There was actually a change in atmosphere around the place when the new owners came in. I would agree that sometimes a football club could have a change of ownership and the players would see no differences, however Carson Yeung’s arrival did bring a new feeling. The owners were very direct in their contact to the players showing us what they were planning for the club and the positive changes that they would bring. The previous owners did a great job when you compare the club from when they bought it to when they sold it but the new owners have their own ideas of how to make Birmingham City competitive further up the premier league. They know that for it to be successfully marketable the club and its facilities need to be comparable with the top premier league clubs and these are the differences that the players are now experiencing.

4. So in terms of Blues teams, were the Robbie Savage era better than the current team do you think?

I’ll sit on the fence on this one and say that it’s difficult to compare teams from different eras as they had different styles with their own positives. Both the team when I first joined and the team this season have done exceptionally well to stay in the top half of the premier league. If the current squad can maintain that position for a few seasons then that consistency would be the only separating factor of the two eras.

Martin "Tiny" Taylor

5. When you signed for the club, Steve Bruce said you were versatile and could play left back, right and centre, was he serious? Surely you are 100% centre half?

I actually played all over the pitch at Blackburn and was quite versatile when I was a younger player, if you can imagine! I actually made my debut as an emergency centre forward and played there a few times after that. I also found myself in midfield a few times. It’s often the case that centre half’s play full back when they first progress to the first team and that was what happened to me being used at both right and left. I quite enjoyed it being able to attack for a change and had probably my most successful season at Blackburn when we finished sixth playing a good portion of it at full back, mind, it helped having Damien Duff in his prime helping out in front. My body shape has changed as a player as I have got older into more of a centre half’s, gone are the days of overlapping the winger to get a cross in, I’m happy to just hold fort now.

6. Highlight of being at the club and your best performance?

Highlights would have to be getting promoted twice, especially the first time when we beat Sheffield Wednesday at home to put ourselves on the brink of an immediate return to the premier league. Even though we hadn’t quite made it yet, there was a great feeling following that game.

My best performance would have to be Newcastle away in the FA Cup replay (5-1). Not surprisingly I enjoyed every minute of that game.

7. If you search youtube you can be spotted sat on the bench during a blues-villa game. Two questions… See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugcutAxYD7I around the 1.39 mark!

a) What is the Blues-Villa derby like for a player in terms of pressure/preparation?

The game is prepared for like any other, but the big difference is the pressure and tension that you feel when you get out onto the pitch.

As a player you can sense from the crowd that its not just another game and that the result is the only thing that matters. That’s why the best things about derby games tend to be the tackles as everyone is wired up and doesn’t want to be the one to miss a tackle or make a mistake that could lose the game. Skill and flare tends to be forgotten for an afternoon.

b) What happened to that awful “curtains” hairstyle?

I was very proud of my ‘curtains’ hairstyle thank you very much and I would love to be able to grow it back if a. I could, and b. it came back into fashion.

8. How do you cope with not being in the team, do you get all moody or are you quite relaxed about it?

I would love to tell you that I accept it really well and it doesn’t bother me but in reality I probably get a bit moody.

It’s very frustrating as a player when you work hard all week with the rest of the players but end up not involved in the game on the Saturday. It’s vital to maintain a good condition when not playing as you could be called on at short notice but its a much more enjoyable job when you are playing regularly and experiencing the highs and lows in the team.

9. What career would you have done if football had not worked out?

I think about this occasionally but still don’t know. I think a lot of people don’t really work out their vocation until a few years after leaving school, when they’ve tried a few things or realised they’ve chosen the wrong subject at university.

I would probably have been like this, my favourite subjects at school were maths and geography but I probably would have ended up doing something completely unrelated to these.

10.  You won a league cup medal with Blackburn, is it a treasured possession or lost somewhere in the loft?

It’s actually quite treasured with my other medals, three championship runners up gongs.

When I played the final at Cardiff, one of the older lads in the squad said I should treasure playing in a final because not many professionals get the chance in their career.

I’ve been fortunate to have had that chance and would love it again. It’s also a great thing to hold onto to show the grand kids in a few years who won’t believe that granddad was able to run never mind play football.

11.  Who were the biggest jokers at the club and were there any stand out pranks played?

In the time that I was there a few jokers have passed through the changing rooms. Dunny was always one for a prank, as well as Sav. I can’t think of a particular one but there was always some good banter flying around. Ian Bennett was great fun to have around the training ground, he had the lads in stitches on a daily basis.

Martin "Tiny" Taylor

12.  What’s it like being so tall?

I often don’t think of myself as being particularly tall, I suppose I’ve got used to it now. The only time it is ever a problem is when I hit my head on doorways or low hanging signs, or have cramped legs on transport. I think I’m still above the anthropometric/economic trade off of seating as many people comfortably in a specific area.

There are however advantages to being tall, such as at concerts or in highly stacked supermarkets, oh and not forgetting jumping for headers with Duncan Ferguson!

13.  How is Watford different in terms of set-up, ambition and treatment of you as a player?

The set up at Watford is excellent from the facilities to the staff at the training ground to the help I received when I first joined. I found the transition between clubs quite comfortable as many of the training methods were very similar to the ones I was used to at Birmingham. They are a very community friendly club and I have been welcomed very well by everyone at Watford. Like any team in the championship they have ambition of getting promoted to the premier league and being as successful as possible.

14.  Have you met Elton John yet, and did he have those great star shaped glasses on?

Unfortunately I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Elton John yet. Hopefully one day in the future.

15.  You have already scored for your new club, are you settled in already?

I am pleased with how the first month has gone. To get on the score sheet is a bonus, but I am happy with how I’ve settled in and we’ve had some decent results in that time. As a team we’ve been dominant in all the games I’ve been here which is not easy in the championship as all teams are very competitive.

16.  What are your personal ambitions now and do you have plans in place for life after football?

My ambitions are now to play as many games as possible with Watford and to try and get promoted. I think we have as good a chance as most of being in and around the top positions in the championship and if it didn’t happen this season then we would just try for next.

I don’t have any concrete plans for what to do after football. It’s difficult to plan as I don’t know when that will be, hopefully not for another few years. Unfortunately there will be time when I come to retire, something as a young professional looks a lifetime off but creeps up on you all too quickly. The best thing is to prepare that it could happen at any time and not be surprised or disappointed when it does, just be ready to move on to the next chapter.

17.  Pressure time now! With a chance to annoy your friends and colleagues what would be your best 11 during your time at the club?

1. Goalkeeper – Maik Taylor

2. Right Back – Stephen Kelly

3. Left Back – Jamie Clapham

4. Central Midfield – Damien Johnson

5. Centre Half – Kenny Cunningham

6. Centre Half – Raidi Jaidi

7. Right Midfield – Sebastian Larsson

8. Centre Midfield – Stephen Clemence

9. Centre Forward – Mikael Forssell

10 Centre Forward – Nicklas Bendtner

11 Left Midfield – Gary McSheffrey

Martin, I think I speak for everyone who supports the blues in saying we hope you do really well at Watford and things go well…

Good luck One Star!

Cliff

Images used with kind permission from Birmingham City FC

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VIEW FROM THE SOUTH – BIRMINGHAM CITY vs BLACKBURN ROVERS

December 16, 2009 by KevB8ll · 3 Comments
Filed under: Blues News, Match reports, Reports By Bazza 

Here’s Bazza’s report on last night’s 5th victory in a row!

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I’m in trouble with Mrs Bazza who clued in to the fact that the game was on the telly so why in heavens name was I travelling all the way up to Birmingham from work in midweek when there’s a recession on and there’s loads to do for Christmas and it’s about time you helped me a bit instead of gallivanting off to some far flung northern part of the Empire, plus the fact it’s freezing cold and the roads are treacherous. Her temper was not aided by the inane grin that I had upon my face following our fifth win in the bounce in one of the most exciting games of the season. I benignly pointed out to my beloved that nothing beats being present on occasions such as this and you know how hopeless I am when I’m watching Blues on the telly; I get more worked up and nervous than when I’m there. The other important reason for going to the match was that I still cannot believe that we are SIXTH and the manager of Liverpool is Rafa Beneathus! I had to go to the game to make sure that this is reality and I’m not part of some sort of surreal, ethereal world like the Matrix!

Seriously I went to the game not only because I prefer being in the ground to watching the telly but I wanted to get my tickets for the forthcoming games at Stoke and Nottingham Forest (sadly can’t go to Everton) and I thought I’d go and look round the old tat in the shop and pick up a Christmas present or two for the boys. The shop was like a zoo and because a lot of tat was half price, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker and his dog were in there buying up all the old tat in sight. There was nothing there that I wanted so after a filthy burger and a cup of tea it was into my seat.

This was one of the best performances by Blues to date. The early goal on 12 minutes scored by Cameron Jerome helped. It came courtesy of a short corner that the giant thugs at the back for Blackburn failed to switch on to. The cross in was headed by the short-arse that is our Chucho and his attempt hit Ridgewell and the ball fell kindly for the big striker who couldn’t miss from three yards although we have been known to from closer recently. Blackburn are a big physical side and dealt with most of our crosses easily lead by the huge Samba. However, what they had in strength and size they lack in mobility and our smaller, quicker players caused them trouble with McFadden, Larsson, Bowyer and the ever dependable Ferguson dominating proceedings with slick passing and excellent movement. Jerome and Chucho were looking sharp and the former was guilty of wasting another header similar to the one on Saturday from another pinpoint cross from Ridgewell. Defensively we were solid and stood up well to Blackburn’s simple game plan which was so typical of a Sam Allardyce side; launch it into the box as quickly and as often as possible and look to win the second ball breakdown. Johnson, Dann and Ridgewell probably have headaches this morning from steepling balls descending from the cold night sky but they never blinked throughout the game and the headers were returned crisply and with plenty of distance. The half time 1 – 0 score line was satisfactory but it should arguably have been at least two.

The second period started similarly to the first with Blues pressing and dominating the game. A piece of sublime skill by Larsson set Stephen Carr who had been impressive all night going forward down the right wing. His cut back to Jerome ten yards out was dispatched into the bottom corner for a thoroughly deserved 2 – 0 lead on 49 minutes. Blues were now in complete control and this of course was the cue to start allowing their opponents back into the game. After an hour in which the passing and movement had run Blackburn ragged we started to engage in a game of head tennis and there was only one winner of that. In fairness Blackburn were vulnerable to the quick break but there is no need to play the killer pass from the edge of your own area and the ball started to come back towards our defensive line with monotonous regularity; the fact that Chucho Benitez was being pushed in the back every time he went to link up play and for most of these incidents to go unpunished was not helping the cause. A soft free kick thirty yards out finally caused our defence to crack and sadly it was not difficult to predict. We had largely played into Blackburn’s hands and had begun to play their type of game. Entreaties to get the ball on the deck had gone unheeded. A whipped, inswinging ball was met by Chimbonda at the far post. Hart saved his effort but was stretching and could only palm the ball down for the grateful Nelsen to net from five yards.

Blues regathered their composure and started to play football once again. Blackburn put Samba up front and threw the kitchen sink at it. This resulted in a very exciting and open game. The nerves were on edge as Blues missed three presentable chances; one from Jerome whose left foot drive was well saved by Robinson. The rebound was deftly played across to Chucho standing eight yards out with a gaping goal beckoning. The side foot effort was crashed against the bar! The groan from the crowd matched with hands over 23,000 eyes said it all; miss of the decade! This was three minutes from the end and we could all have relaxed but this is Blues after all. There was still time for Seb Larsson to be put through only for Robinson to smother. Keith Fahey was also put through in another incisive move only to be crashed to the ground by Givet; no penalty from the inept and hapless referee, Mr Jones who should have dismissed Steven Nzonzi, who had been at it all evening, for a second bookable offence. The tackle was so late it was into the next day! Mr Jones reached for his pocket only to remember he had already booked the forward earlier and so bottled it. A nervous four minutes of overtime was negotiated and another win was achieved. Birmingham deserved their victory against a poor, one-dimensional Blackburn side. It is good that they didn’t equalise but fortune favoured us. It would have been a travesty as Blackburn deserved little out of this game. However, when David Dunn is fit and the Lancashire club have his class and invention put back into their team I know they are much better than this performance suggests. For their part they can thank some poor finishing that they were not on the wrong end of a walloping.

Blues, if they continue to play like this, should go into the weekend’s game against Everton with confidence. The outcome will depend on whether we can take our chances when they present themselves.

KRO SOTV

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Blues vs Blackburn – Brief post match thoughts

December 15, 2009 by Aylesburyblue · 1 Comment
Filed under: Aylesburyblue Articles, Blues News, Match reports, Matches 

Phew! That was hard going in the end.  What a finish to the game.  Blackburn pressure, chances on the break, an amazing miss and my favourite thing in football, the goalkeeper coming up for a corner.  If I was a neutral I would have really enjoyed that last ten minutes.  As it was I think I lost another year off my life.

There must be a law that we cannot win by more than one goal and see out a game comfortably.  This should have been all over when the ball rolled to Benitez in the 89th minute but what a horrible miss.  Probably one of the worst I have ever seen.  Larsson should have scored as well but then he did save us with a goal line clearance seconds earlier.  Jerome took his goals well and the second was a great move.  Johnson and Dann were rocks at the back again and it also helped playing Ridgewell at left back because it effectively gave us three centre backs to deal with Blackburn’s threat at set pieces.

In other seasons this game would have finished 2-2 but this Blues’ team have something a bit more.  A great team spirit and will to win.  I’m very happy to be blue at the moment.

All in all another good win and up to 6th!  Happy days at St Andrews.

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Birmingham v Blackburn Preview

December 15, 2009 by KevB8ll · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Blues News, Kev's Ramblings, Matches 

We continued our good run, with a 1-0 victory over West Ham. Lee Bowyer with another goal.

Tuesday evening sees us playing Blackburn in the Sky TV game.

Blues are expected to name an unchanged side AGAIN! What is happening? We always appeared to have players injured under Trevor Francis – do you remember the knee epidemic? Bruce had a fair share of injuries too – but this season… well!

We play Blackburn for the first time since our 4-1 victory the last game of the season May 2008. Jerome bagged a brace, however it wasn’t enough for us to avoid the drop. This game was famous, or infamous, for the board getting abuse after the game. I suspect win, lose or draw – that won’t happen this time!

Blackburn have a few injury worries. Dunn who has missed their last three games with the injury he picked up against Stoke, is not expected to feature. Vince Grella is also expected to be out.

Blackburn are unbeaten in their last 3, with 3 draws. Their last win was a 2-0 victory over Bolton, Big Sam’s old side.

I believe that if we win, that would be our best ever run in the Premier League with 5 wins in a row. The thing is, from what I have seen,  Blackburn are very well organised. I doubt we will get another result like last time against them. We will have to work very hard to get the 3 points, but to be fair, the side are doing that at the moment. I just wished that we could convert a few more of the chances we are making!

Anyway, I think our winning streak will end Tuesday evening – but we will pick up a point. Prediction 0-0.

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Birmingham City v West Ham Utd Post Match Quick Thoughts!

December 12, 2009 by KevB8ll · 4 Comments
Filed under: Blues News, Kev's Ramblings, Match reports, Matches 

Well ANOTHER win, ANOTHER clean sheet and ANOTHER goal for Bowyer.

Over all I thought it was a good performance. West Ham had a few good chances including a brilliant shot by Kieron Dyer that hit the post, and a close call by Alessandro Diamanti, Joe Hart pulled off a great save – but over the whole game we were the better side and deserved our win. Robert Green had a great game for the visitors.

Once again our defence didn’t look like giving much away.

A couple of thoughts. Firstly, another well taken goal by Bowyer, a great run and great pass by Chucho. A bigup for Lee – he showed respect for his previous club by not celebrating the goal. Well played Lee.

Secondly, Jerome??? He should have had a hatrick. I am getting concerned. He has the pace to take him away from defenders, he has the spring to win headers – but he can’t find the net and that has GOT to change, otherwise HE has to be changed.

Over all lots of positives, nice to hear the crowd playing their part too – bring on Blackburn. Five in a row??? Oh help me!

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