Beardsley Praises Taylor's Mental Strength

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Peter Beardsley has praised Ryan Taylor's character and mental strength after watching the 30-year-old mark his first full game since August 2012 with a goal.

The versatile Merseysider, who has suffered two years of injury heartache since being carried off against Atromitos in the Europa League, scored from the penalty spot in Monday's 3-1 Barclays Under-21 Premier League win over Brighton.

It was the former Wigan man's first goal since finding the net with a free-kick against the Greek side, also in August 2012, but completing 90 minutes was the most important milestone as he looks to return to first-team action. 

"That's the big story for the gaffer," Football Development Manager Beardsley told nufc.co.uk. "The gaffer has been one of his biggest fans.

"He's supported him all the way with the t-shirts (that the players warmed up in against Aston Villa in September 2012) and everything that he's done for Ryan, so the gaffer will be happier than anybody.

"In that sense, it's brilliant. After 78 minutes, which was more than he'd played before, Ryan kept doing 'stupid things' in his words, but you're tired. It's two years since he last played a full game so because of that, the way he's made the comeback is incredible.

"What he's done and what he's gone through, the hard work, the hours that nobody sees - it's incredible what he's come through and hopefully he's not far away from playing in the first team.

"What he's gone through, I couldn't have coped with - I genuinely couldn't. I'm not just saying that. He's a proper man.

"The Club have been great, the doc's been great, Derek (Wright, physio) has been great; he's had lots of people there encouraging him, but he's still got to do the work.

"As much as we try to help him, he's the one who's done the work and deserves all the credit."

Taylor's goal levelled the scores after United fell behind to Shamir Fenelon's 20th-minute strike.

Seagulls skipper Glen Rea kept Haris Vuckic's shot out with his arm and was shown a red card, before Danny Pappoe was later dismissed for an apparent headbutt on Facundo Ferreyra.

And Beardsley admitted: "I think we had a bit of luck in terms of the penalty - it's unfortunate for their boy that he has to be sent off.

"I know that's the rules and the Brighton people were very fair about it, but at that stage we had been poor.

"We got out of jail with that goal but once the boy gets sent off, we're definitely going to win - it's just a question of how many.

"We played some good football in the second half and managed the game well. We were comfortable winners in the end but to be fair to Brighton, they played well in the first half and were the better team without a doubt."

Vuckic and Daniel Barlaser were on target in the second half as United returned to the top of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League's second tier. 

"It's down to the players," Beardsley said. "As much as Ben (Dawson, coach) and I, Simon (Tweddle, fitness coach), Carl (Nelson, physio) and Tom (Coffield, analyst) all chip in, it's about good players.

"And they've been top class. They've got into the habit of winning, hopefully, and long may that continue."