Joey Barton is pleased to see Connor Taylor earn deserved recognition by being nominated for League Two Young Player of the Year, but the Bristol Rovers manager says promotion would mean much more to the defender.
Taylor, on loan from Stoke City, has been outstanding in the heart of Rovers' back four. The 20-year-old has made 42 appearances for the Gas, establishing himself as the defensive leader and earning plenty of praise throughout the campaign, including the EFL Young Player of the Month award for October.
Taylor has been nominated alongside Finn Azaz of Newport County and Leyton Orient's Shadrach Ogie. The winner will be announced at the EFL Awards at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on April 24.
Barton has hailed Taylor's attitude as well as his performances in the blue and white quarters, emerging as a fans' favourite and overcoming a turbulent start to the season for the club.
"Connor has played with Mark Hughes, he’s played with Alfie Kilgour, he’s played with Nick Anderton, Cian Harries, and since the EFL Trophy against Cheltenham and his introduction to the group he’s grown steadily," Barton said.
"Seeing him score in the Bradford game and get that goal is a huge sign of the next part of his development, becoming a threat in the opposition’s box from set-plays and I certainly think he can improve in that area.
"But he’s a young 20-year old centre-half. It’s a bit more of a senior position and he’s been learning his trade and been excellent in the midst of doing that. He’s been superb, he’s a really good lad, his body has developed really well as well, so he’s looking more manly and more physical now.
"For him, it’ll be a nice end to the season to go and get a promotion in whichever way it comes. If you asked him now, does he want to win the individual reward or does he want to get promoted, I think he’d quite happily give that up to see the boys over the line.
"But it’s a nice tip of the cap to him for what is a great season, regardless of what happens now. He’s had a superb season and he’s been a pleasure to coach and I’m really pleased to help with his development. He’s a superb lad."
Barton also moved to praise Taylor's defensive ally, James Connolly. The Cardiff City loanee joined Rovers in January and played a huge part in solidifying the defence with Taylor, which has underpinned the club's surge into promotion contention.
Connolly has made 19 league appearances for the Gas, keeping nine clean sheets in that time, and Barton paid tribute to the former Blackburn Rovers defender's impact at the Mem.
The manager said: "The lads who came in January all brought the group on. I include Ryan Loft in that, I include Elliot Anderson in that. They have really added to the group we’ve got here.
"They were all needed at the time because we couldn’t even field a team due to COVID. We had four fixtures when we couldn’t even get a side out.
"They have all contributed in their own way. Obviously, some would have liked to do it more than others, but young Beefy – James Connolly – has been excellent since he made his debut, his Football League debut in the FA Cup at Peterborough. He has pretty much been ever-present since that moment.
"He doesn’t get flustered. He’s been superb and a really nice partner for Connor."
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