Source: Northern_Echo
Taylor worth his weight in gold, says Cooper
AFTER becoming a key part of Mark Cooper's plans, Greg Taylor could be the next Darlington player to move on to bigger and better things, says the manager.[LNB] He joined the club in January and after an indifferent start, finished the season strongly and has put in some good showings in pre-season, during which his flexibility has been utilised.[LNB] He has in all three defensive positions and on Saturday at Harrogate Town played most of the second half as a defensive midfielder after Jamie Chandler was withdrawn.[LNB] Cooper has lauded the 21- year-old, saying: I'd say Greg has been our best player in pre-season; him and James Walshaw. The beauty of Greg is that he can play comfortably anywhere on the pitch, so he's worth his weight in gold.[LNB] Greg's a very good athlete, a good defender and can get up and down the pitch, and in the system that we play the full-backs have got to get forward.[LNB] He's what you'd call a modern- day footballer. He's 6ft 1in, he's athletic and could play anywhere on the pitch.[LNB] We knew what a good player he was when we signed him. I've not heard that he's been watched [by other clubs], but it wouldn't surprise me if he has been. I think he could be the next one to go.[LNB] What more do you want from a footballer He's twofooted, he's quick, he's tall, he's got all the attributes.[LNB] With three days to go before the start of the season, with Darlington at home to Braintree Town, it is unclear where Taylor will fit into Cooper's starting XI.[LNB] His most likely position is left-back, where he started Saturday's match, as Aaron Brown may not be fully fit, while Cooper last week indicated that his preferred lineup would start the final friendly at Harrogate.[LNB] One player certain to start is play-maker Mark Bridge- Wilkinson.[LNB] He missed the start of preseason after a hernia operation, but has started Quakers' last three friendlies.[LNB] Cooper added: You know that he's going to create things, and if we can get him far enough forward he's going to be a threat. And if we can get the strikers firing and hitting the back of the net, I'm convinced we can score a lot of goals.[LNB] Overall, I'm pleased with how pre-season has gone. We have been unfortunate with injuries and that has meant some people have had to play for longer than they were ready for. But we've got through it and there's a bit of light at the end of the tunnel as both Rundle and Arnison, are nearly there.[LNB] I'm very pleased with the squad. Once we get Rundle and Arnison back fully fit that will take us up to 20 good players.[LNB] Meanwhile, former Darlington winger Josh Gray has joined Northern League Division One club Newton Aycliffe.[LNB] The South Shields-born 20- year-old emerged through the youth ranks at The Northern Echo Arena and showed plenty of promise towards the end of the 2009-10 season. However, he made only three league starts last season and was released in May.[LNB]
