Jon Taylor talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United winger Jon Taylor admits he is relishing the first game of the Sky Bet League One campaign, as a summer of hard work comes to a conclusion in this weekend’s final pre-season friendly against Barnsley.
The Liverpool-born attacker has called upon his teammates to ensure that their rigorous summer preparation doesn’t go to waste and is hoping the Millers can maintain their impressive form as they travel to Fleetwood Town.
“It's been very good. The lads are looking good and we've obviously done well in pre-season games but it all comes down to the first game of the season,” Taylor told www.themillers.co.uk.
“We need to take everything that we've learned in pre-season into those games, starting at Fleetwood away.”
Paul Warne’s side began their close season fixtures with a clash with Parkgate and two games in Austria, before progressively stepping up the level of opposition ahead of this weekend’s match against the Reds.
However, Taylor says every outing so far has proven useful in different ways and is hopeful that the high volume of matches ensures that they are well-drilled on 5th August.
“All the games have been a good test to be fair,” he continued.
“It was mostly all about fitness in the early part but after the first couple of games you have to start focusing on your football as well.
“We've worked hard but we've also done a lot of football work, so when we go into the games we know exactly what we're doing and we should be ready.”
The 25-year-old enjoyed a prolific season last time he was in the third tier, scoring in excess of 10 goals whilst with Peterborough United, but when quizzed about personal targets for the season, he was quick to point to a shared end goal.
“I've done alright over the summer but it obviously doesn't matter, because it all comes down to the first game of the season,” Taylor explained.
“Obviously we want to get promoted with the club, so I'll be doing everything I can to help achieve that, because that's the only goal I've got for the season.
“The new lads are all sound and have fitted in nicely. They're all great lads and they just want to do well for the club.
“They've all worked hard so far and they all want the same goals. It's not my place to say but all the lads have been unbelievable and they're all good players so it bodes really well and I think we've recruited very well.”