Taylor sews up deal for new defenders (19.01.06)

MAIDENHEAD United could run onto the pitch tomorrow (Saturday) with three new defenders among their ranks, according to manager Carl Taylor.
The Magpies’ supremo was tight-lipped about who he was signing, but described one of them as an ‘extremely experienced defender who I have been chasing for a while’.
He added: “We need experienced players who understand the physical nature of this level and have done it all before.
“Most of the players I have at the moment are good but inexperienced.”
One experienced player already added to the squad is Beaconsfield Sycob and former Wycombe Wanderers defender and captain Steve Dell who produced an eye-catching display against them in the Berks & Bucks Cup win last week.
In addition, Carl Stevenson has joined as a reserve keeper, while centre back Dominic White has been loaned out to Uxbridge.
According to Taylor experience was one of the factors which influenced the Magpies’ disappointing 3-0 defeat to bottom side Newport County.
He said: “They were brilliant and I’m not just saying that because they beat us. I know everyone will look at this as a game we should have got at least a point from because they are bottom, but believe me they are one of the strongest teams in the division.
“There’s no way they will get relegated. They have signed five new players including Andy Campbell from Cardiff City and have the experienced players and money to get themselves out of the hole they are in.
“I thought we were poor, maybe shambolic, which was out of character for us.
“But that was not the same Newport team which lost to Carshalton the previous week.
“On Tuesday they were all over Welling United, and only conceded an equaliser in the last minute.”
While Taylor has been able to attract new players to the club, he also has to guard against losing the best of those who remain.
He said: “There are four clubs from the Sussex area who are interested in Lee Newman. They are local to him, but I am hoping to be able to persuade him to stay a part of what I am building.
“There is also a club after Ryan Johnson. I don’t want to lose these players as they are part of the nucleus of the team with which I am very happy.”
However, he admits that some current players may have to move on to enable him to balance the books.
He said: “Eventually some players may have to leave or have their pay restructured to allow me to put together the squad I want.
“I’m clear in my mind what we need to survive and I am working towards it.
“The players I wanted weren’t available until now, and when I’ve got them, I expect us to progress.
“I think teams like Eastbourne, Yeading, Basingstoke and Bishop’s Stortford had better look out.”

Tomorrow the Magpies are on the road again, this time away to Cambridge City.