STEVEN Taylor is hoping to revert to his former Saturday night routine this weekend - instead of switching off Match of the Day early to avoid confirmation of Newcastle's early-season strife.

The home-grown centre-half has found the weekly football round-up increasingly difficult viewing as the Magpies have failed to win any of their opening four league games.

While Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen have discussed the Premiership table on more than one occasion this season, Taylor has pulled the plug long before they got to the facts and figures.

"To be honest, I find it difficult to even look at the table because it is so annoying," admitted the teenager, who has started all eight of Newcastle's league and cup games this term.

"The worst thing about football, and really it is the only thing I cannot stand, is losing.

"None of the players are happy with our performances so far and I know I am not pleased with where we stand in the table."

It is safe to assume Taylor will not be the only one left seriously deflated if the Magpies fail to end their winless run against Fulham on Saturday.

The recent signing of Michael Owen, Albert Luque and Nolberto Solano has seen optimism rocket on Tyneside and raised expectation levels that had otherwise been falling fast.

"Hopefully, we have turned the corner now and results, I am absolutely certain, will improve," added Taylor. "They have to. This club is far too big for the supporters to settle for second best. I should know - I used to sit with them.

"I don't actually think we have played that badly. We have had some very difficult fixtures, but the table does not lie and I know we will not be satisfied until we are at the right end of the league.

"We have struggled to score goals and that has put pressure on the defence. But, at the same time, this is a team game and, if we are not scoring, that is down to every single player.

"If we cannot create chances for the strikers - the whole side - then there is no-one else to blame but the team."

Taylor faces a battle for a first-team place now that Titus Bramble has returned from the broken elbow that had sidelined him since the summer.

Bramble is expected to be in contention for Saturday's clash with the Cottagers and, despite Jean-Alain Boumsong's error-strewn display against Manchester United, it is Taylor who is expected to make way.

The England Under-21 international can point to an impressive start to the season as evidence of his obvious potential but, should Souness opt for experience at the heart of his defence, the youngster's versatility could yet prove his saving grace.

The 19-year-old has already played at both right-back and left-back for the Magpies and is willing to plug whatever gap emerges during the course of the campaign.

"I don't mind where I play, as long as I am in the team," said Taylor. "That is up to the gaffer. I have played a lot at full-back and a lot at centre-half so it doesn't particularly bother me.

"Wherever the boss tells me to play, that is what I will do. We are in a tough situation and we need all the players to give absolutely everything. I am completely positive the boss will get that.

"We have some hard fixtures coming up but, with the players we now have in the side, we have to start winning."

l Boumsong will line up against Newcastle team-mates Shay Given and Stephen Carr this evening as France take on the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road

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