Taylor Targets First-Team Opportunity

JOEL TAYLOR believes training with Mark Hughes’ array of first-team stars will only whet his appetite for more over the coming weeks and months.

The 20-year-old caught the attention of the first-team management at Under 21 level last term as a consequence was rewarded with a place in the senior set-up for pre-season training this term.

The left-back was also in the travelling parting to Middlesbrough on the opening weekend of the new campaign, and whilst he has yet to make his first-team breakthrough, he says it was a nerve-wracking experience initially.

“At first it was so exciting to get the call to say you are training with the firsts,” Taylor told last weekend’s issue of #pottersmag in the latest ‘Breaking Through’ feature.

“Of course there were some nerves but it makes you feel confident in your ability and you want to go and do your best.”

Working with the senior set-up was always likely to challenge the talented youngster, and he admits that pitting his wits against the likes of Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri on the training pitches is a world away from what he has been used to at Academy level.

“It is very difficult to be honest – there aren’t a lot of players out there like them that can do things that they are able to do,” he laughed.

“Although it is hard it’s a great experience for me and will only make me a better player in the long run testing myself against the best.”

Arguably the biggest challenge of being part of the first-team for Taylor has been taking in the atmosphere when travelling with the squad on a matchday, and arriving at a stadium to thousands of supporters.

“Taking in the atmosphere is a lot as I’m not used to playing in front of many people.

“Although it is tough, it is an uplift and gives you a taste of what you could be playing in front of every week. The more you go the more you get used to that atmosphere.”

Taylor is working hard to force his way into Hughes’ thinking but says he has to be patient, and would always be open to a loan move to gain valuable first-team experience.

“My plan this season is to play for the first team but if that is not possible I would be open to a loan move,” he added.

“The experience alone would give me a lot of help with my progression, but ultimately I want to try and prove I am good enough to play with the first team on a regular basis.”

See Joel and his Under-23s team-mates in action when the Potters host Brighton & Hove Albion for Premier League 2 action at the bet365 Stadium this Saturday (kick off 2.00pm).