Cumbrians winger keen to improve

Taylor has been in impressive form for the Cumbrians in recent weeks

Carlisle United winger Cleveland Taylor hopes he has finally managed to win over supporters after a disappointing first season with the club.

Carlisle boss Greg Abbott believes the 24-year-old has been the Cumbrians' best player over the last two months.

"I've been working hard and that's the only thing I can do really." Taylor told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"All I do is go out there and give 100%. If you do that, no-one can ask any more of you."

Taylor joined the Cumbrians from Scunthorpe United in a �75,000 deal in January 2008 but struggled for form after being admitted to hospital through illness.

I'm now close to the form I was showing at Scunthorpe. It's certainly the best form I've been in since I joined Carlisle

United winger Cleveland Taylor

"There were a lot of things (wrong) when I first came here. I wasn't too well and wasn't playing well and it was probably the lowest point of my career." he said.

"I knew I had to deal with it. You have to toughen-up...confidence is a massive factor in football.

"I'm now close to the form I was showing at Scunthorpe. It's certainly the best form I've been in since I joined Carlisle."

Greg Abbott recently described Taylor as "inspirational" and a major influence in the dressing room.

Abbott said: "I think Cleve's winning everyone over and rightly so. He's been an absolute inspiration in terms of what he gives you. Even when he's playing badly he'll work his socks off."

The Leicester-born midfielder began his career as a trainee with Bolton Wanderers and spent loan spells with Exeter City, Scarborough and Scunthorpe United before making his stay at Glanford Park a permanent one in March 2004.

He picked-up another man-of-the-match award in last weekend's 2-1 home defeat by Stockport County as the club continue their battle against relegation from League One.

"You're never out of a battle." Taylor said. "One minute you're looking at the top-half, the next you're looking down below."

"All we have to do is keep looking to the top-half because we've got the quality. If we continue playing like we did on Tuesday night that should come through."

The manager will say every game is a cup final

United winger Cleveland Taylor

The Cumbrians were beaten 1-0 at promotion-chasing Peterborough on Tuesday night as Aaron McLean's sixth goal in seven games separated the two sides at London Road.

"They were a good team but I thought we contained them well." Taylor said.

"We had a game plan and stuck to it but it was unfortunate for them to score the one goal."

Carlisle now face four of their relegation rivals in the space of just over two weeks, starting with the visit of Bristol Rovers to Brunton Park this weekend.

"They're going to be tough games." he said. "The manager will say every game is a cup final."

"We've just got to keep on believing in what we're doing and hopefully that will get us the results we need."