Football: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Keeping On-Loan Taylor on Permanent Deal Would Provide a Net Gain for Blues' Defence; despite Recent Setbacks, Maik Taylor Provides Solid Foundations to Blues' Defence, Writes Fraser Thomson

Byline: Fraser Thomson

When Maik Taylor stands between his posts and surveys all before him, he knows that his kingdom is safe. The battlements are manned by some of the toughest defenders in the Premiership and the Birmingham City goalkeeper knows his castle will not crumble.

True, the ramparts have been breached. The Blackburn Rovers marauders last weekend were just the latest invaders into what had been no-mans land for the first few weeks of the season. But Taylor, the last line of defence, knows the wall will be intact again today at the Walkers Stadium, where Blues will try to repel the attacking giants of Leicester City.

The Northern Ireland international is looking forward to the return of England defender Matthew Upson, who should be restored to the back line alongside Jamie …

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Publication information: Article title: Football: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Keeping On-Loan Taylor on Permanent Deal Would Provide a Net Gain for Blues' Defence; despite Recent Setbacks, Maik Taylor Provides Solid Foundations to Blues' Defence, Writes Fraser Thomson. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: The Birmingham Post (England). Publication date: December 13, 2003. Page number: 32. © 2009 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group.

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