http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/17/newcastle-chris-hughton
Chris Hughton's revolution sets Newcastle players free
After years of turbulence, Newcastle are thriving under the radical dressing-room approach of Chris Hughton
Steven Taylor is not quite 24 but he has played under seven managers at Newcastle and experienced more turmoil than many footballers encounter during entire careers.
"I think we're on an even keel now though, we're stable," says the centre-half, resisting a temptation to cross his fingers before touching wood. "The club's turned round, Newcastle United's changed for the better."
Such optimism is born not only of the team's position at the top of the Championship but the modus operandi of his seventh boss, Chris Hughton.
At Taylor's age the then Tottenham full-back was involved with the Workers Revolutionary Party, an essentially Trotskyite group. Trotsky once preached "permanent revolution" but, three decades on Hughton – these days a committed Labour party member – swiftly realised Newcastle required an antidote to the constant upheaval of recent seasons.
His St James' Park revolution has duly been of the velvet variety. While there have been few radical tactical or training ground alterations, the former Spurs and Newcastle coach's approach to dressing-room politics differs markedly to that practised by many peers. First teamers are encouraged to voice their views on managerial decisions with a players' committee comprising Steve Harper, Kevin Nolan and Alan Smith, transmitting opinions to Hughton.
Not that Taylor and his colleagues are in any way isolated from a manager who appreciates the importance of frequent communication with every squad member. "Chris is always chatting to all of us, always explaining things – and you can talk to him about anything," says the ex England Under-21 international.
"His door is always open to everyone and the lads love him for it. He's a real players' manager who has had nowhere near the praise he deserves. You'll never, ever, hear anyone moaning about Chris around this place. It makes a big change at Newcastle United but we all respect him far too much for that."
West Bromwich Albion may prove less respectful than other visitors to St James' during tomorrow night's Championship summit meeting but Roberto Di Matteo's side will find themselves facing opponents "United" in more than name only.
"One of the reasons we're successful is that we're being honest with each other now," reflects Taylor, who turns 24 next Saturday. "In the past some lads got upset about things but kept their feelings back and then didn't perform on the pitch. It caused rivalries but this season, under Chris, it's been great because we've been encouraged to talk about things as a team, to get it all off our chests. We've learnt the best way is being honest with each other."
Similarly the dressing-room's old faultlines are a fading memory. "The lads here always sat around in three groups: foreign, young and older," says Taylor. "But that doesn't happen anymore, we all just mix in."
It helps that relegation purged Newcastle of individuals who joined the club primarily for the generous wages on offer and had little compunction about embroilment in assorted minor scandals.
"There were players in the past here who didn't give their all," says Taylor. "But but now we all definitely feel a sense of responsibility for what happened last season. We want to fight for each other, if someone gets tackled we'll help them out.
"In the past silly things were always going on but we don't have those problems anymore, probably because certain people aren't here. The newspapers are more interested in Big Brother than Newcastle United now. And we've got what this club always needed, players who really want to play for it."
What a liar Steven Taylor is Ronaldo eh? Bet if it was Colo who said that your head would explode.
