Steven Taylor: "Relegation was the best thing."

Steven Taylor has become the latest player to highlight the optimism and positive thinking that the Newcastle United squad has running through it currently.

Speaking the Journal, Taylor talks of exciting times ahead, how he is looking forward to the future at Newcastle, and how the current squad, whilst mindful of their place due to summer recruitments, are willing and able to prove a point next season aswell.

“It’s exciting times for us," said Taylor. “I’ve just signed a new contract and I’m looking forward to being here for the next five and a half years and seeing what we can do in that time."

"This squad has made a habit of proving people wrong. I think at the start of the season many people thought we’d be in the relegation fight but we’ve proved people wrong again. We’ve really kicked on this season and I think the best thing that’s happened to Newcastle was getting relegated."

Now whenever I hear anyone connected with the club say that relegation was a good thing I always shudder and wonder just how it could have been a good thing. I mean every single one of the changes could have been achieved in the Premier League so I don't see how the club having to suffer the indignation of relegation and losing out on millions of pounds can be a good thing.

I accept that getting relegated was a catalyst for change, and that it benefited some of the players and the team to an extent so in that way it was a good thing, but overall I'd never call it a good thing. Anyway, Taylor continued:

“The spirit we’ve got here now is great, you want to be at training everyday and everyone is hungry to do well for the club. I think we feel lucky to be here, especially the local lads. It’s the best feeling ever."

“We know the fans would love to replace us with new players – we realise that – but for me I think we can really kick on with this squad next season. As a group we’ve done well this season and we want to do even better next season.”

Now I'm no fan of Steven Taylor as a player. I think he is considerably over-rated and hasn't improved at all since he broke onto the scene six or so years ago. I think he makes horrendous clangers and gets caught out of position a lot and has a tendency to let his heart rule his head which makes him make mistakes. However, I do agree with his optimism on this occasion.

There is an attitude within this squad that I really really like. It's an attitude that we haven't seen for quite some time either. They aren't the most technically gifted footballers that we've ever seen grace St James' Park, but they give their all for the most part. We don't carry passengers anymore.

The key to this summer is getting the balance right between bringing in the quality that we lack and keeping the nucleus of this current squad together.

If we can get that right we'll have a good season next season!