Connor Taylor has completed his move from League Two Bristol Rovers to Wycombe Wanderers, who will once again want to push on and aim for promotion after falling short following Matt Bloomfield’s mid-season departure.
Wycombe agreed an undisclosed fee the move for the centre back who rejoined the Gas two summers ago, having won promotion from the fourth tier as part of Joey Barton’s 7-0 heroes in 2022.
Mike Dodds was in the market for a commanding centre back this summer after losing Joe Low to Huddersfield as a free agent and seeing Sonny Bradley’s loan expire, although they have already brought in Walsall’s Team of the Season defender Taylor Allen after an impressive season.
So, what will Connor Taylor offer to the Wanderers?
CT brings duel dominance
Taylor’s clear strength is his power in his battles against forwards – his colossus-ness as some Gasheads would note.
| Duels won / 90 | 8.61 |
| Arial duels won % / 90 | 73.4% |
| Dribbled past / 90 | 0.15 |
24/25 stats
In 24/25, Taylor consistently ranked in and around the 90th percentile across several defensive stats.
Under the management of Matt Taylor and Inigo Calderon he was often fielded in the middle of a back three, with that role allowing Taylor to control the backline while ensuring he is the focus of any opposition arial bombardment – a job he did with assuredness.
When being forced into the channels his ability to reach the ball first and get his body across his man means he is similarly capable despite his height.
That said, despite offering great presence in both boxes, at approximately 6’5″ Taylor’s goalscoring tally – just six across 136 Rovers appearances – would be considered relatively poor.
Manager Dodds said on the move: “He’ll bring extra steel into the team as well as his height, ability on the ball and strong defensive attributes so we’re delighted he’s agreed to join us and look forward to working with him.”
High value asset makes Rovers a “healthy profit”
According to Bristol Live, the sale of Connor Taylor to Wycombe has generated a “healthy profit” over the supposed £300,000 paid to Stoke in summer 2023.
They believe the deal has a number of contingencies in place, while BBC have suggested the fee is around the £500,000 mark.
Despite only making four substitute appearances across the first six league games last season, Taylor went on to claim Rovers’ Player of the Season award after forming a crucial part of their backline.
Although that defence was culpable for third tier relegation, the 23-year-old missed just two games of the remaining 40 – and many Gasheads would still have regarded him as one of the first names on the team sheet every week.
Those fans may make comment at being disappointed at the nature of his departure, having not featured in the final pre-season match at Oxford, and then being left out against Harrogate in the league opener.
The inevitability of the deal was clear from that point with general acceptance on the day that he’d either be named club captain – or be sold.
Gasheads are currently annoyed at the fact that Taylor handed in a transfer request to force the move – but surely recognise that the defender deserves a starting spot in League One.
After earning promotion in 21/22 with Rovers, Taylor made just 18 appearances in all competitions for Stoke in an underwhelming season of Championship experience.
He then linked back up with Barton, who would go on to be sacked just a few months later, in Bristol and has made 47 and 89 appearances in his two respective spells.
Having had his first child in the recent month, Taylor said on his Instagram: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Gas, making friends for life, so has my family. However at this time I feel that moving on is the best thing for me and my young family.”
Pressure in possession can prove a shortcoming
The relegation must-win tie at home to Mansfield will still give Gasheads nightmares after going behind in the first minute to a mistake at the back.
After getting themselves back level, in the second half Connor Taylor fell (literally) at fault for the deciding Stags goal when trying his trademark swing on the ball to avoid the oncoming press.
Facing pressure on the ball can be a weakness for the big defender. While Rovers perhaps simply weren’t the strongest side for possession football, it was still a perceivable shortcoming for Taylor across the last season or two.
Some Gasheads would regard the defender as too mistake prone to be missed too dearly, but the majority will wish him well at his new challenge and hope to see him next campaign.
