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Taylor calls for commitment
Newcastle United, 08:57, July 31, 2009 ,
Toon defender Steven Taylor has told his team-mates to quit the club if they are not committed to the team.
Newcastle are expected to lose a number of players before the transfer window closes, with Obafemi Martins closing in on a move to Wolfsburg and Habib Beye also eager to escape St James' Park after requesting a transfer.
Now Taylor, a product of the club's youth system, has urged his team-mates who are not fully committed to the Newcastle United cause to walk away if they're not prepared to fight.
"When we win, I don't think we get the credit we deserve." Taylor told the Daily Express. "But that's something you get with playing for this football club.
"If you don't like it, then you can go and quit if you want. We need players who want to play for this football club."
Current owner Mike Ashley is the in the process of trying to find a buyer for the north east side and the Magpies are currently managerless as a result, with an appointment unlikely until the club's future is resolved.
However, Taylor claims the players are focused on their football and are trying to ignore the off the field issues affecting the beleaguered side.
He added: "We haven't got a clue what's going on but, as players, we just get on with it.
"It's like us against the world, but that could work in our favour. As long as we stick together whatever else happens will happen.
"If players leave, players leave. What they will leave is a group of lads who are 100 per cent committed. We've shown that in training and in most of the pre-season games.
"There are no slackers on the training field. We've sat down and said, 'if we stick together, then we will be OK'.
"There's a massive siege mentality in the dressing room. We know we're there to be shot at at the moment, but we're pulling together as a squad.
"Things can turn around very quickly at this football club. You feel as though it's us against the world at times and that can be a massive thing."
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