Former Derby County striker Malcolm Christie has not been convinced by the arrival of Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Captured for £300,000 from League One rivals Charlton Athletic in the January transfer window, Paul Warne anticipated Corey Blackett-Taylor being the final piece in Derby’s promotion puzzle.
The powerful winger had produced stunning numbers for the Addicks in the first half of the campaign, including eight goals and seven assists in 25 appearances.
In a side with better quality players and one fighting towards the top end of the table, the 26-year-old was expected to flourish in Warne’s 4-3-3 system, especially with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on one flank and James Collins up front.
Sadly, Collins sustained an injury keeping him out till the end of March and Blackett-Taylor hasn’t been at full fitness.
The former Charlton wideman has only featured for 156 minutes since arriving in January and has failed to nail down a regular spot in the side.
With eyebrows raised over his form at Pride Park, Malcolm Christie isn’t sold on the Englishman but has urged supporters to give him time.
Malcolm Christie claims the ‘jury is out’ on Corey Blackett-Taylor
Whilst speaking to BBC Radio Derby on Monday night, the former Derby striker gave his verdict on the situation Blackett-Taylor finds himself in.
He said: “Maybe Paul Warne just not seen enough where he can trust him and that is a big statement there because they’ve spent a bit of money on him to have him as a natural starter.
“Now he might make me or fans who see him and doubt him at the minute eat our words with regards to being selected and performances but the jury is out on him at the moment, it has to be said. I certainly don’t want to write the lad off because he’s not been given any opportunity at the minute to do that, so let’s sort of give him time and see the real Corey Blackett-Taylor.”
Blackett-Taylor will come good, he just needs time
As Christie aptly referenced, Blackett-Taylor needs time to gel into Warne’s style of playing.
It’s not been easy for him to adapt to new expectations and the hefty price tag, at least for this level, weighing heavy on his shoulders.
After an excellent first half of the season, it was natural for supporters to crave him hitting the ground running at Pride Park and while that hasn’t happened, there is still plenty of time for him to do so.
During a gruelling fixture run-in, the electric winger will get a run of games to show his worth, which is why March could be a defining month for his career.
Ultimately, he is yet to start back-to-back games and until he does, people can’t judge the impact he’s made.
Blackett-Taylor just needs to let his football do the talking and hopefully, once he gets a regular opportunity, he will do that by posting some vital contributions in the promotion run-in.