Town midfielder Jack Taylor believes the Blues did not deserve the reception they received following the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Both sides have already been relegated to the Championship, with Leicester leapfrogging Town into 18th place following back-to-back home victories with just next weekend’s matches left to play this season.

Jamie Vardy and Kasey McAteer scored in each half to condemn the Blues to their 23rd defeat of the season, and leave them with just one victory in 18 league matches this calendar year.

Following confirmation of Town’s immediate relegation back to the second tier at Newcastle United three weeks ago, Taylor was asked whether it has been difficult to find motivation in the final knockings of the season.

“When it comes to it, it’s not that bad,” he said. “The context of the game today was a bit better for us because it’s us versus them for who could finish above each other, that was the main focus on the week.

“You’re still representing the club in a Premier League game so it’s still a proud moment to represent the club at this level.

“The fans showed a great account of themselves again today and I don’t think we deserved the clap off at the end, but it just shows the connection we’ve got with the fans and how much they believe in the journey that we’ve been on.”

Reflecting further on the reaction from the 3,200-strong Blue Army in Leicester, Taylor said: “It was surprising. Coming away to an also relegated side, you expect to make it at least a more even game on the scoreline even though we probably created more chances than them.

“It shows a great account of them and how much they’ve supported us this season no matter the results or the performance. Hats off to them and we can only thank them.

“It’s just an overall thank-you. Week in, week out, they’ve backed us from minute one until the last kick of the game, so a big thank you.

“It’s not going to come across how much it means to us as a squad, but we know what it means and the players know what it means for the club and for the town. Again, just a thank-you.

“It’s not the outcome that everyone in the club wants, this fairytale season if you call it that we’ve had, we’ve come short.

“The togetherness and they understand the journey, but I don’t think we particularly deserved it today with how we performed in some aspects of the game. We’ll be back stronger and everyone is ready for next season.”

Town had more shots and touches in the opposition penalty area than in any other match this season, but found the final product difficult with Leif Davis hitting the woodwork being the closest they came to troubling Jakub Stolarczyk’s goal.

Taylor said: “We’ve had so many chances, the boss said we’ve had 20 so it’s on us to take accountability for that for not taking our chances or making the right decision at the final bit. We’ve created enough so we’ve got to look back on it and try and improve.

“It was [a tough afternoon] because I think we’ve showed some good stuff on the ball. Like so many times this year, there’s been moments that have gone against us.

“It’s a tough one to take, it’s more about looking forward to the future and getting back for pre-season.

“It’s obviously tough, I’d rather be standing here still fighting. It’s a part of football and the club will come back stronger.”

The Blues will finish the season having claimed just two points from four matches against the other relegated sides – a home draw with Leicester in November and a point at Southampton in September.

While admitting the performances in the four games have been promising in spells, Taylor accepted that the points return is a cause for concern.

“On a results basis probably yes,” the 26-year-old said. “If you look at the games, probably the Southampton home game is the only one that’s come close performance-wise between the teams. Other than that, we’ve been the best side out of the three relegated sides in my opinion.

“It shows where we’ve come. We came here last year and they haven’t battered us but we held in for 90 minutes and we got an equaliser in the last minute.

“It shows we’ve come leaps and bounds how we’re dominating the ball and controlling the tempo today even though the scoreline doesn’t reflect that.

“It shows that what we’re training on is obviously working and once we get the last bit clicking, I think we’ll be sweet.”

Asked whether finishing 18th or 19th makes a difference, Taylor continued: “It does matter, it’s still points to play for. Next week we’ll go in to win the game and hopefully they drop points so we go above them.

“There’s still points to play for and to come a place above them would be a nice ending to the season considering where we’ve been.”

On an afternoon where Leicester legend Vardy scored his 200th goal on his 500th and final appearance for the Foxes, his career was celebrated by all at the King Power Stadium.

For Taylor, Vardy’s career has come as somewhat an inspiration having climbed from non-league to the top level of the domestic game. The pair are among a select few players to have scored in each of the top five tiers of English football.

“He’s done what he’s done and it’s incredible from where he started,” Taylor said of Vardy. “He’s someone to look up to and all the lads that are playing in the National League now and playing at a young age, there’s always a chance.”

TWTD

Juggsy added 18:59 - May 18 Feels a bit like when a different player got wheeled out after every match to say the same thing in the Lambert days with no change to the next result. Onwards and upwards I guess.
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PositivelyPortman added 19:50 - May 18 Taylor here talking as much bull**** as KM regarding the game. He was as nonexistent as usual when he came on, and should have been moved on at the end of last season.
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grinch added 19:51 - May 18 We had 2 shots on target and in Apr-May are shots on target are so minimal so MK is talking rubbish andvas said we are starting to be in Lambert territory which is a sorry state. MK has not performed well since all the teams worked his tatics out and we havent changed at all. Also got to mention a big failure in the goal keeping coaching they have all performed worst than being coached at other clubs Palmer is shot the same as Muric and Walton is also poor and it has to be the coaching

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Gforce added 19:54 - May 18 Taylor shouldn't even be on the bench next season, just not good enough,if we are going to make a serious challenge for the top 2,we need a lot better. Sell him back to Peterborough, that's his level, I'm afraid.
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TimmyH added 20:08 - May 18 As I said previously if only he did as much with a football than what he does with his mouth...
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PortmanTerrorist added 20:14 - May 18 Could be the worst performance under McKenna. Heads seen to have gone a bit for first time. Lack of ability, lack of cohesion, and even a lack of passion. Not seen that before under this manager. Some brutal decisions need making in the Summer on new and old players in this squad... on the fence re Jack. It simply cannot be the case that our old League 1 players are the best we have going into next season, but right now it mostly looks that way. Plenty of work to do again Mr Ashton, but know we can do it and recruit for the League above, not the League below! COYB

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ricardo55555 added 20:21 - May 18 I thought it was an entertaining match in which we played well. We had lots of chances, and we’re not able to finish them today. I was very encouraged for next season, as we were the better team away to probably the best team in the championship next season. In my view we were unlucky to lose, and on another day we would be congratulating them on an excellent win. Just the finishing wasn’t working. Excited for next season.

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Edmundo added 21:45 - May 18 KM has learned a lot about the characters in the dressing room this year. There'll be some surprise exits I reckon.
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peewee added 03:45 - May 19 It feels we had always one eye on the championship buying the best players from that league and hoping they could step up. But we could of brought 4 PL standard players and used the old squad around them. I feel the togetherness has gone that got us to the PL
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ArnieM added 10:04 - May 19 Whilst Taylor us correct in players taking responsibility for cocking it up. How refreshing it would be if the manager did likewise instead of this " fine margins,... we need to learn from this" weekly clsp-trap that he trots out. McKenna, I hope to gid you revise your approach/ tactics to games next season mate, becausei guarantee you the championship managers have got you sussed already.

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Jugsy added 11:29 - May 19 Lots of people getting very wound up by a game that ultimately meant nothing. Don't get me wrong, i'm not thrilled by the result or performance but I think this has been a long, hard, disappointing season that tbh I think everyone wants out of the way now. Leicester had more incentive than us (Vardy party) and still barely showed up. Not sure what people expect/want from interviews, Taylor's owned up and people still wine about him. McKenna is one of the most honest and insightful manager's going, and now that's not good enough for some. Chill out, everyone. It's a speed bump in a long journey. Can't wait to get this slog out of the way and focus on next season.

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blues1 added 16:10 - May 19 Jugsy. At last, some1,with a bit of perspective. Unlike 2most on here. Having spoken to 2 of my mates who were there yesterday, Mckennas views on the game seem pretty spot on. Was only after the 2nd goal thstxwe played poorly. And frankly, that's not really that surprising, as that goal would have likely knocked the stuffing out of them. Anynone who knows anything about football, knows that's how things are when a team are in our position. But no, some of our fans just wanna slag the players off regardless. Or accuse them of not caring. Something that may well have been a,fair accusation in years gone by. Certainly can't be aimed at these players.

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Ebantiass added 16:36 - May 19 Cant understand some people critisising the brighton loanee Ensico ,he was one of a couple that really drove at the Leicester defence nad midfield, he has a great workrate and if we had three more players with his industry in the attacking positions then we could be doing a whole lot better. Please get rid of lightweight Chappers, Clarke and Burns.
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