Connor Taylor joined Wycombe Wanderers from Bristol Rovers in the summer. The tall Centerback had been the Bristolian club’s Player of the Season as they got relegated to League Two, and following the success of similar fourth tier signings like Daniel Harvie and Franco Ravizzoli, seemed to be a sensible signing.
However, he endured a tough start, as did much of the team, under then then-head coach Mike Dodds, and Michael Duff quickly found his starting pairing in the Great Dane Anders Hagelskjær and Irishman Dan Casey, leaving Taylor the perennial third choice on the bench, or even missing from the squad entirely.
Fans (the writer included) had quickly concluded that Casey and Hagelskjaer were the superior partnership, writing off Taylor as another misstep from Wycombe’s new recruitment strategy.
But, in March, Taylor got an unexpected reprice as both center-backs sustained injuries that would keep them out for the rest of the season.
Having been patient, Taylor exploded into life and quickly became a fan favourite, even as the Chairboys slowly lost sight of the play-off race.
This fall off has been in no part due to the efforts of Taylor, who’s stepped up when others have struggled, netting two goals and getting an assists in an attempt to drag Wycombe to the play-offs, an invaluable mentality in a team that, at present, seems short of that do it at any costs mentality.
Not only has his mental ability stood out, but his passing has also developed. Taylor is now much more comfortable playing with the ball with his feet, a testament to the hard work done on the training ground. Standing at 6’5 too, he will consistently be a threat from long throws and set pieces.
So strong has Taylor been, is that for next season, it will be a tough decision for Duff on who now starts on the right hand of the defence between himself and Casey.
Nonetheless, in a second half of the season that’s featured more frustration than excitement, Taylor has shone at the back.
He, alongside a handful of players across the pitch, have formed the backbone of a team that Wycombe fans will be hopeful can compete at the top next season.
