In the latest extracts from our exclusive interview with the Leicester City and caretaker England manager Peter Tayor, LeagueManagers.com reveals Peter's thoughts on wayward striker Stan Collymore who has been in the news once again this week. He also discusses his relationship with League Managers Association Chairman and FA Technical Director Howard Wilkinson and the prospects for the three English teams in the Champions League, as well as commenting on the debate surrounding the number of Premiership games in England. Bradford striker Stan Collymore has indeed hit the headlines again this week, unfortunately not for his football. But as his former manager explained, he is a player with undoubted ability.
"A lot of things have been said about Stan and myself, but deep down I really hope he gets himself sorted out and starts playing every week," he said.
"He's a very, very talented player and one that was impossible for us to replace. But it was a situation that happened - and I think we all wish it hadn't happened - but he's now at Bradford and if he gets himself 100% right, then the manager knows he's got a very, very good player who does things on the ball that nobody else can do."
With Leeds, Manchester United and Arsenal all involved in the Champions League this week, Taylor offered his opinion on their performances so far and on their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.
"Manchester United have had the best start, and looking at their group you would think that they would be the favourites to go through anyway.
"I thought the other groups were really hard for Leeds and Arsenal and that appears to have been the case after the first games.
"But every time you see Arsenal have a bit of a dip, they always just bounce back and you can only applaud Arsene Wenger for that. You can guarantee that they will win their next Champions League game because Arsene always seems to able to get the best out of his players in that situation.
"For Leeds United, playing at home to Real Madrid was a massive test anyway and David's had a lot of injuries there. I think a lot of his players have played a lot of games now and they did look a touch tired against Real Madrid. You will always look a little more tired playing against a strong passing team like that."
Regarding his relationship with Howard Wilkinson, the man who took over from him as England under-21 manager, Peter stressed that their were no hard feelings about the situation.
"I had a good chat with Howard in my office actually, when I was asked to do the England job for one game," he said.
"He came up to explain to me about the technical department and the back up at the FA and we had a nice few minutes on our own just to clear the air because, whether people believe it or not, I've got the highest regard for Howard.
"I had a really good week with him in Malaysia when we went to see the under-20 World Championships. We talked about our ideas and he told me about his experiences.
"I just think I was a touch unlucky at the time, when he went in as technical director and I left the under-21s. But I have no problems with Howard because, at the end of the day, I've then gone on to manage Gillingham and gone to Wembley, and I'm now at Leicester City. So I don't hold any grudges about that.
"I think Howard is a superb technical director and the ideas he's mentioned, like the academies and the development of youth football, are going to help us produce more players."
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