Jake Taylor: Wales international looking to avenge play-off heartache with Exeter City
Taylor is preparing for the Grecians’ play-off semi-final against Colchester United
Jake Taylor is looking to avenge play-off heartache with Exeter City after falling to two final defeats with the League Two side.
Taylor, a Welsh international who earned his solitary cap during the 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Cyprus, is preparing for the Grecians’ play-off semi-final against Colchester United.
Exeter travel to Essex for the first leg on Thursday evening before welcoming the U’s to St James Park four days later.
It is the third time that Taylor will compete in the play-offs for the Devon-based side after falling to final defeats against Coventry City in 2017 and Blackpool two seasons ago.
But the midfielder says he is using that heartbreak as motivation ahead of this month’s fixtures.
“I’ve been so close to (securing) promotion over a number of years and not quite got there yet,” said Taylor.
“It’s something that I speak to my family and friends about quite a lot. It’s something I want to achieve before my career finishes.
“Losing two play-off finals and missing out on the play-offs previously is tough to take. But all of those different emotions stand you in good stead and make you stronger each year.
“We’re confident and we’ve had a really good season. We’ve prepared as much as we can, so it’s up to us to go out there and perform.”
The League Two campaign was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving many clubs with uncertainty over promotion and relegation.
But a majority of the clubs in the division voted to settle the table on a points-per-game basis and to retain promotion and relegation.
And the EFL gave the green-light for the play-offs to take place behind closed doors without fans, which Taylor admits will be a unique experience.
“It’s going to be very strange,” he added.
“It’s something that we haven’t experienced before and hopefully something that we’ll never experience again.
“We’re going to have to motivate ourselves in different ways, which won’t be difficult because we know what’s at stake.”
Both clubs have been out of action for more than three months due to the pandemic, with Exeter’s last fixture ending in a 3-1 defeat against Walsall on 7 March.
But regardless of English football’s hiatus, Taylor says his team-mates will be ready for the challenge in front of them as they look to make a return to League One.
“The boys have come back in really good condition considering we’ve had such a substantial time off.
“The staff and everyone involved at Exeter have been unbelievable in making sure that we all feel comfortable and safe. I know we’ve only had a couple weeks of training but everyone is going to be in the same boat.
“The quick turnaround is going to be difficult after not playing that many games, but we’re not here making any excuses.”
