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Maik Taylor: Premiership and Nth Ireland for me

last updated Tuesday 19th December 2000, 3:30 PM
Goalkeeper Maik Taylor has some sobering news for the promotion hopefuls attempting to hang onto Fulham’s coat-tails as the classy Cottagers hurtle towards the Premiership.

Under French coach Jean Tigana, the West London outfit have produced a scintillating brand of soccer which took them 10 points clear at the top of the table ahead of the first division’s busy Christmas and new year programme.

They have also given a good impression of themselves in Worthington Cup ties against Premiership clubs, who they aim to be meeting in League action next season.

Doubts have been cast about their ability to sustain their form of the last five months, particularly when it comes to turning out in the inclement conditions which are bound to occur over the winter.

But Northern Ireland international keeper Taylor has no worries on that score. "I can’t see us changing the way we play or compromising our style," he said. "Jean Tigana doesn’t mind if the odd pass goes astray or if things don’t work on the heavy pitches you get around this time of the year."

Maik Taylor - profile
Maik Taylor believes Fulham will play their way to the Premiership
That is not what the chasing pack will want to hear as they pray that Fulham’s costly collection of stars comes unstuck on dodgy surfaces. "No chance," smiles Taylor. "It will continue to be a joy to play behind this team.

"Tigana is a legend in his own right. He handles players very well and always has a smile on his face. He is just brilliant. He wants us to pass and move, play football from the back at a quick tempo. We have a strong squad and the coach wants everybody to express himself."

Taylor is equally convinced that, at 29, he is approaching his prime and has his eyes firmly fixed on two prizes - a Nationwide League winners medal and the job as Northern Ireland’s World Cup number one when they entertain the Czech Republic at Windsor Park in a Group Three qualifier in March.

Manager Sammy McIlroy’s current preference for Wigan’s Roy Carroll is deeply frustrating for Taylor, who admits: "I am disappointed not to be in the Northern Ireland team at the moment.

"I have spoken to the manager about it and made my feelings on the subject clear. Sammy told me he couldn’t split us and I’ve got to live with that, but I couldn’t understand it because I’m playing in a higher division than Roy.

"Hopefully though, Sammy will be persuaded that I am Northern Ireland’s number one through my performances week-in, week-out for Fulham."

What Maik doesn’t need is for a televised goal scored against him by Darryl Powell to become regular viewing in the McIlroy household. The Derby skipper embarrassed Taylor with a 35-yard curler in the Worthington Cup tie which Fulham won 3-2.

"Darryl had cut back onto his left peg eight or ten yards in from the touchline," recalled Taylor. "I thought it was a certain cross and I couldn’t believe he tried to score.

"I’ve seen it on TV since and to be fair to Darryl, he did look up. I’m not sure whether he was looking at me or lining up someone at the back post, but when the ball came over it did me for pace.

"I felt awful but later Kit Symons, who played with Darryl at Portsmouth, cheered me up when he reckoned Darryl doesn’t have it in his locker to score a goal like that!

"That win against Derby showed how far Fulham have developed as a team though, because we beat a Premiership side with five of our players missing from our previous first division match.

"We also did really well against Liverpool at Anfield in the following round of the Worthington Cup, where we held them to a goalless draw over 90 minutes before they won the tie in extra time.

"I felt we showed in those games that we could move up to the Premiership with some confidence if we win promotion. That’s obviously our aim, although we won’t be resting on our laurels because there are some useful sides in the first division.

Source fulham fc
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