SIMON Eastwood has wished his close friend Matty Taylor well at Port Vale, even if he’s disappointed to see him leave the club.
Taylor secured a late deadline day move from Oxford United, joining Sky Bet League One rivals Vale on loan until the end of the season.
The move sees the 32-year-old link up with manager Darrell Clarke again, with the duo enjoying success together at Bristol Rovers.
Taylor helped fire Clarke’s Rovers to back-to-back promotions to the third tier, netting 67 goals in two and a half years, prior to his controversial move to neighbours Bristol City.
OPINION: Why Matty Taylor exit makes perfect sense for the player
It has been a tough season for Taylor at United though, finding the back of the net just six times in all competitions.
Only three of his goals this season have come in League One, two of which were in the 4-0 thrashing of Vale at the Kassam Stadium in November.
Released as a teenager, Taylor has scored 64 goals for his hometown club since rejoining, initially on loan, in 2019.
Eastwood has shared a dressing room with Taylor since then, and the two have become good friends in that time.
The goalkeeper said it’s been hard to watch his teammate struggle in front of goal so far this season.
On Taylor’s deadline day move, Eastwood said: “I knew a little bit throughout the day, I’m quite close with Matty.
“I’m gutted he’s gone, he’s a great lad and great around the changing room.
“It’s tough sometimes when you’re playing up top on your own, with the service he’s had.
“I’m disappointed but hopefully he’ll go there and do well.”
“It was a whirlwind, it certainly wasn’t expected or planned but it’s something we all felt was the right decision.”
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) February 3, 2023
Karl Robinson was tight-lipped on the long-term future for Matty Taylor #oufc https://t.co/nXxF9euHT6 pic.twitter.com/hQSoPLexnq
With results on the pitch not matching the aim to achieve promotion this season, United find themselves in something of a transitional period as senior players move on from the club.
In addition to Taylor, club captain John Mousinho also left the U’s in January as he took the head coach role at Portsmouth.
Taylor is one of seven United players out of contract in the summer, with his long-term future currently uncertain.
Eastwood, who has been at United since July 2016, said: “Including myself, we’ve had a lot of players that have been here a long time.
“I spoke to Matty and I know he’s gutted to be leaving but football clubs move on.
“He’s a good mate so I’m hoping for him that he goes there and does well.”
“We are not lacking ambition, however what we’re not going to do is put the club at risk at the throw of a dice.”
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) February 3, 2023
Oxford United CEO Tim Williams says the #oufc board doesn’t lack ambition for not sacking Karl Robinsonhttps://t.co/cyj9ZhYhdU pic.twitter.com/CXVt3rMHH7
Hoping to fill the hole left by Taylor will be forwards Ateef Konate and Tyler Smith, with the latter already familiar to Eastwood.
Smith bagged 10 goals in 26 matches across all competitions for Swindon Town during the 2020/21 season, including a 90th minute winner against United.
The striker completed a late comeback for Town at the Kassam in November 2020 – their first victory over the U’s in 19 years.
Eastwood said: “I’ve been reminded of the guy who’s come over from the other way, that was probably one of my lowest points here so we had a little bit of a chat about that.
“He’s done well where he’s been before and we’ll be relying a lot on him to try and get us some goals, and get us up the table.”
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