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AFC Wimbledon are on the brink of promotion after the most successful year in their young history, having secured a place at Wembley for the play-off final. The club will have to thank their fruitful striker Lyle Taylor for his extra-time winner in the thriller in East Lancashire against Accrington. The 26-year-old has been the club’s stand-out performer throughout the year.
Taylor trained as a youngster with Millwall but never broke through to the first team. After spending a couple of years being loaned out to non-league sides, he was signed by Bournemouth where he made 29 appearances. However, Taylor continued to struggle for first team football and was soon loaned out again. Taylor’s career was full of turbulence having to move around up to seven clubs over five years before signing with Wimbledon last summer. The highlight of Taylor’s career to this point was a 34 goal season with Falkirk.
Taylor seems to be finding his rhythm at the Greater London club with many high quality performances since the start of the 2015-2016 campaign. He has already made 38 appearances and managed 22 goals. A highly impressive record considering that he has to play alongside a strong group of strikers at Wimbledon with the likes of Adebayo Azeez, Tom Elliot and Adebayo Akinfenwa.
With his stand out physical traits, Taylor possesses the make-up of a complete forward in the modern game. He has a large frame (6ft 2) that helps him win aerial duels. At the same time, Taylor also possesses pace as and would not hesitate to drift out wide to beat his man with speed. Blessed with both size and pace, Taylor is a versatile striker that would put off any defender that has to mark him
Taylor is a striker equipped with many different weapons. Very comfortable with the ball at his feet, Taylor can play with his back against goal to bring his team-mates into the game. His work rate and stamina also allow him roam deeper when his team is pressed to seek of the ball. There are games where Taylor is deployed successfully as a wide attacker rather than an out-and-out striker to supply more crosses to Wimbledon’s aerial threat Akinfenwa. His best weapon of all is his ability to run in channels at pace to receive that killer through-pass putting him through on goal.
One thing Taylor needs to improve is his finishing. With his pace and positioning, he always manages to find himself in goal scoring positions only to be disappointed by his finishing. Another aspect of his game Taylor should look to improve to step up to the next level is his consistency. The striker often goes on extended stretches games failing to find the net. This can put his team in difficulties especially during crucial times in the season.
Wimbledon fans will be hoping that their Player of the Year will turn up with goals at Wembley in the play-off final on the 30th May. It will be a historical moment for the club if they emerge victorious, with it being the first time they will have reached the heights of League One in their 14-year history.
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