Taylor: I want us to entertain fans

8:34am Friday 8th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

THE Peter Taylor era begins at Adams Park tomorrow when Morecambe's visit to Wycombe kick-starts the new League Two season.

Taylor, appointed as Paul Lambert's replacement during the summer, has won promotion from every professional division in the country during an illustrious career that has also seen him take charge of England.

Now his focus is Wanderers.

He said: "I want the fans to be entertained. I want us to create lots of chances and score goals.

"It's going to be a very open league this season and I think lots of teams will be in with a chance. There are no Peterborough's or MK Dons so it will be a close call and you need to get your own house in order first.

"Ideally you want to start well and get the confidence up, especially when you've got new players. You want to win games and go on a run, but if you don't have a good start it doesn't mean you won't have a good season.

"When I was at Gillingham we didn't win for six matches and still got promotion. You can go on a run at any time and I have no doubt we'll be a better team in a month and a better team again in six months."

That might encourage some fans who have seen the Blues in pre-season. But Taylor insists he has got everything he wanted out of the last six weeks.

He said: "Results during pre-season are rubbish, they don't mean anything. I played two different teams in every game. It's about fitness and getting the players to gel and there are a lot of positives to take out of pre-season.

"We are where I wanted us to be."

Last season Wycombe did the double over tomorrow's opponents and finished 18 points above them in the league. But Taylor is too experienced to expect a soft launch against the Shrimpers.

He said: "I know a lot of the players there and they are a good, organised football team. Sammy McIIroy's teams always play good football so I think it will be a good game. But I prefer to concentrate on my team."

On that score, he is slightly hamstrung. Matt Bloomfield (cruciate), Lewis Hunt (groin) and Matty Phillips (thigh) are definitely out, while pencilled in skipper David McCracken is also now doubtful with a slight calf injury.

Scott McGleish (hamstring) and Mike Williamson (knee) are also carrying injuries but Taylor hopes at least one of this pair will win their fitness race.

He said: "I know what my starting XI will be, but it depends if people are fit. It's not ideal, but you have to get on with it and it is a chance for other players to come in and show what they can do.

"I'm confident we'll have a very good team out there on Saturday."

That could include Leon Knight. The striker will be in the 18-man squad, but whether he is involved further could depend on McGleish.