Latest News
Steven Taylor full of praise for local hero Dummett
Written by Dan King
Steven Taylor believes local boy Paul Dummett deserves a huge amount of credit after establishing himself as one of the first names on Rafa Benítez's team sheet over the last two seasons.
Dummett, who joined United as a nine-year-old, has now made more than 130 appearances for his boyhood club - and Taylor knows just what it takes to go from a wide-eyed Academy prospect to a Premier League regular.
He was handed his debut as a teenager by Sir Bobby Robson in 2004 and went on to play more than 200 times for the Magpies as well as twice being called up by England.
Before leaving St. James' Park in 2016, Taylor would often pass on the benefit of his experience to a young Dummett, and has watched his former protégé’s progress with pride.
"I still speak to him regularly and I think he's done magnificent,” Taylor, now 32 and with Peterborough United, told nufc.co.uk.
"I don't think he gets the credit he actually deserves. He played some fantastic games last year after coming back from a big injury, and it seems to go under the radar for a lot of people.
"But it's great to see him doing well. He's secured a long-term contract, which he fully deserves, and I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. Hopefully he can stay here for as long as I did."
Dummett scored an equaliser against Liverpool on his home debut for the Magpies in 2013, and was selected regularly by Alan Pardew, John Carver and Steve McClaren, but it took time for him to win over a section of supporters.
However, under Benítez’s guidance the former Kenton School pupil has matured into a full-back capable of nullifying the country's best wingers and Taylor revealed: "The biggest thing I've always said to him is be confident; when you go on the pitch, be full of confidence.
"There's players who I've seen sign for Newcastle and they cannot handle the pressure. The biggest thing is (the fans) demand 100 per cent. Give 100 per cent, put your tackles in, never bottle a challenge and the fans will never forget that.
"He's done really well. He's really kicked on."
"The biggest thing is (the fans) demand 100 per cent. Give 100 per cent, put your tackles in, never bottle a challenge and the fans will never forget that."