Scunthorpe United added midfielder Jake Taylor to their ranks yesterday, as the 22 year old joins on a season-long loan from Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Taylor, who spent the whole of 2019/20 season on loan at Port Vale becomes Scunthorpe’s tenth summer signing and will join up with the side ahead of this weekend’s trip to Tranmere. Joining the Valiant’s on an initial six-month loan deal last summer, the midfielder impressed Vale boss John Askey enough to then extend Taylor’s loan until the end of the season.
The 22 year old netted seven goals in 25 appearances for Vale last season and it was hoped a deal could be struck for his return again this campaign. However, it was thought that the Nottingham Forest man would be attracting interest from clubs in the higher divisions, especially those in League One.
Taylor will of course be looking to stake a claim with Forest and hopefully follow in the footsteps of ex-Iron loanee and current Reds team mate, Ryan Yates. I managed to speak to some willing PVFC fans, as they gave their say on the Iron’s newest recruit.
Vale Fan Reaction
Vale fan Steve Potts (@StevePotts16) was gutted Taylor didn’t make the return to Vale Park this season. He said: ‘He’s a really good attacking midfielder. He scored 7 goals for us last season and will do really well for Scunthorpe.’
Steve added: ‘No disrespect, but I thought he would walk into a League One side this summer. I’m gutted he didn’t come back to Vale again. Good luck to him this season.’
Another Valiant fan, (@JayPVFC) spoke of his admiration for Taylor’s attacking spark. Jay said: ‘Jake is an incredible youngster with a lot of talent. He’s really creative, got a good shot and makes a lot of great chances.’
He added: ‘I think he’s probably one of the best players in the Scunthorpe squad and I am devastated he hasn’t returned to Vale Park.’
Finally, I spoke to popular Vale blog (@pvfclolly) who described the ex-Manchester United youngster as a top signing for Neil Cox’s youthful looking side. He said: ‘Taylor is an energetic midfielder, tidy in possession, who likes to carry the ball. His main skill is his movement and positioning. He’s always in the right place to receive a pass and often gets into good positions in the 18 yard box.’
On where he will fit into this SUFC side, the established blog added: ‘If you play 3 in the middle, ensure he has the uninhibited license to get into the box when you’re on the attack. He should do well for you and I’ve always been impressed by Gilliead, Van Veen, and Eisa so they should create lots of opportunities for him’. The Iron’s scouting network seems to have again stumbled upon a real gem at just the right time it seems, as high praise comes aplenty for the 22 year old.
Will Cox be daring enough to throw Taylor into the deep end alongside either one of Vincent or Spence? Or will we see another change of system for the Iron this Saturday at Prenton Park?
Some definite food for thought for the Iron boss heading into this weekend, as Scunthorpe look to make it two league victories on the bounce, after a successful 1-0 win over Carlisle United last weekend.
