Young defender speaks exclusively to the club following confirmation of his new contract with the Whites
After making his professional debut against Birmingham City on the final day of the 2014/15 campaign, young defender Quade Taylor believes that his recent decision to sign a new contract with the club was a simple one.
Having initially joined Wanderers on a one-year deal from Crystal Palace last summer, the 21-year-old figured prominently for the Whites’ Under-21 side during the course of the season before making his bow against the Blues on May 2.
Impressing enough to earn another one-year contract, Taylor hopes that his maiden senior appearance against Gary Rowett’s men is just the start of a fruitful professional career for him.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far – looking back it was a good first season all in all,” he said. “Especially since the new manager has come in, I’ve trained with the first team and that’s helped massively.
“Particularly in the under-21 games, it’s brought out more of my character on the pitch and that’s ultimately led to me making that final step up.
“I feel as though I’ve grown as a player this year, so signing a new deal was an easy decision.”
He continued: “Moving up here last summer was a big move for me – at the time I was a little apprehensive, but it’s definitely help me to develop both on and off the pitch.
“I’m more responsible now and because there’s less distractions around than at home, I feel as though I’m a better player for it. I can just focus on my football and not worry about anything else.”
Handed a baptism of fire against Birmingham City earlier this month, the game is one which Taylor has already been reflecting on as he bids to make the breakthrough into the first team squad on a regular basis next season.
“The Birmingham game was a bit crazy – it was all new and a bit daunting, but I personally felt as though it couldn’t have gone any better aside from the result. I just felt really at home in the team.
“I didn’t have any idea that I was going to be starting the game either – I was obviously included in the matchday squad, but I didn’t find out until we were in the dressing room beforehand.
“It probably helped a lot that I didn’t know though, so I didn’t have too much time to get nervous. I was literally thrown in at the deep end, but I was glad that the manager chose to do it that way.”
He added: “I thought that at best I’d be on the bench, but to find out that I was starting was a massive boost – I knew that I had to step up to the plate and put in a performance.
“To have the manager’s faith is a massive thing – coming into next season, I’d like to think that my performance against Birmingham has shown that he can trust me and hopefully I’ll be able to get my opportunity again.
“Running out onto the pitch at Macron Stadium was incredible though – I’ve literally waiting for that moment all my life and in all honesty, I can’t describe the feeling. It was just amazing.
“For me though, it was my first step on to the ladder and hopefully it’s just the start for me. I’m just determined to get out there, show what I can do to get more games under my belt.
“I’m just determined to work as hard as I possibly can, so hopefully I’ll be able to give myself every opportunity of pushing on and staking my claim in the team.”