'We're here' moment has arrived for Magpies - Ryan Taylor

Taylor, who spent six years on Tyneside between 2009 and 2016, returned to St. James' Park on Saturday for the first time since the takeover of the club last October as a guest of ambassador Bob Moncur, as well as taking part in a pre-match activation for supporters with club partner eToro.

Speaking about the team's start to the campaign, Taylor believes that people will be starting to take notice of Eddie Howe's side, citing the away win against Spurs as the big moment for the side.

"I think the game against Spurs was the stand-out moment," Taylor told nufc.co.uk. "It was the 'we're here' type of moment. This season has gone to plan perfectly, sitting fourth in the table, and it's very different to this time last year.

"What a difference 12 months makes and there have been some very good signings, as well as players who have really stepped up."

Although he hasn't been able to make it to games over the past year or so, Taylor has been supporting the team, watching as many games as possible on television and following on social media.

And he explained that he's been keeping a close eye on the now-famous post-match celebration shots in the in the changing room.

"The whole team have been great and you only have to look on social media after the games to see the team spirit and the team photo," he said. "You even see the comments on social media with the emojis and 'team photo incoming.' Everybody wants to see those photos and long may it continue."

Ahead of Saturday's post-match celebration shot, Taylor was meeting fans at St. James' Park as part of eToro's match activation which saw supporters gifted with free black and white scarves when they signed up to the online social investment platform - one of the club's official partners.

Hundreds of scarves were given away to match-goers as part of the day which, along with Wor Flags' latest display, contributed to another impressive sea of black and white before and during the match, and Taylor was full of praise for the atmosphere at St. James' Park.

"It can be difficult for the visiting team, who can get a bit wrapped up in it," he said. "St. James' Park always has an incredible atmosphere, and even more so when the team is doing well.

"One hundred per cent, the fans make it more special for the players going into the games - having over 50,000 fans behind you is really special. The displays of flags and the black and white in the stands is the first thing players see when they walk out of the tunnel and it's something that will stick with the players."

A memory that has stuck with Taylor from his time on Tyneside was the 2011/12 season when the Magpies finished fifth in the top flight, and the former full-back sees resemblances between the team then and now.

"The season we finished fifth was a great time," he said. "We were playing well and we got into Europe and it feels similar to this time now, where the team really gelled and we had a solid back five that really helped get us a lot of points on the board. It feels like that now.

"That season had a lot of great games, like beating Man Utd 3-0 under the lights. There are always games that stand out in your career and that is one of them for me."

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