PHIL Brown has lauded former Premier League player Matt Taylor after another heroic performance from the Swindon Town talisman.

Taylor got both of Town’s goals in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw at home to Yeovil Town in League Two, although he was denied a match-winning performance at the Energy Check County Ground by a late Glovers leveller.

The 36-year-old, who played for Portsmouth, West Ham United, Bolton Wanderers and Burnley in the top flight, has made 38 appearances for Swindon this season since signing on a free transfer last summer.

Many of those have been instrumental in helping Swindon push towards the play-off places, with the team currently a point outside the top seven with four games to go.

Taylor served as Town interim manager for one match prior to Brown’s appointment at SN1 back on March 12 following David Flitcroft’s departure to League Two rivals Mansfield Town.

Brown says Taylor’s influence on the Swindon squad should not be under-estimated, both on the pitch and in the changing room.

“I’d play Matt centre-half, I’d play him goalkeeper, I’d player Matt (Taylor) anywhere on the pitch,” said Brown.

“I came into a changing room that was one voice. And that was Matt’s.

“He was having a go and calling people out because that’s how much it hurts him.

“He laughs when I say it, but I was going to throw him up front on Saturday against Carlisle.

“I’ve played him left-back, left wing, up front and now on the right.

“I’ve played him a three, you can play him anywhere. He’s got a brain.

“And that’s something you can’t put into some players, that ability to understand the game more.”

After a run of four successive draws, and five games without a win, Town go hunting a first league victory since Brown’s first game in charge away at Cambridge United back on March 17 when they travel to Newport County on Saturday.