Signed just the night before the U’s 1-1 home draw against Carlisle, Taylor followed up this competent debut with a starring role in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate.

The Bradford City loanee, in addition to impressing at the heart of defence, broke the deadlock with a slick header from Luke Garbutt’s 30th minute cross.

“I knew some of the lads’ names this week, which always helps!” joked Taylor.

“If was good to get a good week’s training behind me.

“These are the sort of big games every footballer wants to play on, and we’ve got another big game next weekend, against Wolves.

“I feel that I didn’t play enough football last season, so this season it’s good to get playing again.

“No footballer wants to sitting there, being paid for nothing,” added Taylor.

The 31-year-old had been struggling to break into Phil Parkinson’s starting XI at Bradford.

But he is loving every minute of his time with the U’s, which for the moment is scheduled to be just one month. “I like to be contributing to what is a good team,” continued Taylor. “This club has a good young manager, and some good young players. It’s going in the right direction, and is a good place to be at the moment.

“It’s quite a quiet dressing room, but the lads are all confident, and being 31, I do my share of talking with all my experience.”

Taylor was disappointed that the U’s could not claim all three points against Bristol City, especially with the chances that came their way during the closing minutes.

“We felt we could win this game when we kept them at bay for the first 20 minutes of the second half, so we’re disappointed,” confirmed Taylor.

“I suppose our emotions are half-and-half.

“We’re pleased to get a point away at a place like this, but realistically we are disappointed not to get all three points. I thought we were pretty comfortable at times.”