3 Up 3 Down: Featuring Liverpool and West Ham stars

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Down: Steven Taylor

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In a squad light on character, you would think that Rafael Benitez would be able to rely on experienced defender Steven Taylor to stand up, not make any mistakes, and drag Newcastle’s defence into shape in order to launch a late bid for survival. He definitely wouldn’t have expected Taylor to make a mistake in the opening minutes of the game.

Sadly for Benitez, he did exactly that, and his experienced defender got in all kinds of bother attempting to deal with Shane Long, who strolled past the defender with alarming ease to put the Magpies 1-0 down within four minutes of their game against Southampton kicking off. It was a poor error that set the tone for another damaging defeat.

Newcastle’s team bus probably has a smaller turning circle than Taylor. Both will be available to see at Championship grounds next season.