Ternent is the best says Taylor

"There is no comparison in terms of coaching ability between Steve Bruce and the gaffer (Stan Ternent)," he said ahead of tonight's clash between the two men at Turf Moor tonight.

Taylor played under the Palace boss when he was in charge of Sheffield United and so he has direct knowledge of both men.

"The gaffer here is streets ahead but he does not get the recognition other people do," he said.

"I think if you have had a good career a lot of people will put you forward for jobs, people are getting recognition for who they have played for."

Bruce enjoyed a highly suiccessful time as Manchester United skipper under Sir Alex Ferguson and Taylor believes that link has helped him get ahead in management.

But he insisted: "I have played under a number of managers and Stan Ternent ranks up there with the best of them for the way he goes about his business.

"The only other one I would put up there is John Ward who is a very good coach."

Taylor worked under Ward at Bristol Rovers and, like Ternent, the current number two at Wolves may have suffered in the search for top jobs because he did not have a high profile playing career.

Taylor said: "I played under Steve at Sheffield United but did not have the best of times and this is the first time he is having a really decent run as a manager, apart from a spell at Huddersfield. He has got Palace playing well."

Palace currently top the first division after seven straight wins, a great contrast to Burnley's run of two points from five games.

"This is a difficult time for us, we are going through a bit of a sticky spell in terms of winning games and picking up points," said Taylor.

"We were 2-0 up on Saturday and coasting and then one decision goes against us, rightly so, and suddenly we have got our backs to the wall.

"When we have defended well this season, we have done so all over the park. We have got to cut out our mistakes and get back to when we were having success."

Taylor had a short spell at Palace six years ago but only scored once in 20 league games. "It did not go as well as I would have liked," he admitted.

"But they are a decent team now and have put a good run together. It will be a tough game but they are all tough in this league.

"We just have to have belief in our ability and show what we can do. We have to be patient and I hope the fans can be patient too. If they get behind us it will help us but it is down to us to get it right."

A win tonight would put Burnley just one point behind the Eagles and Taylor is not surprised that it appears to be a very open division this season.

"It seems some teams will go out and win 4-0 one day and then lose 4-0 the next and different teams take it in turns to put good runs together," he said.

"We did not play well in the second half on Saturday, it was hopeful football really. We have got to regroup and get back to doing things right.

"Nik (Michopoulos) made a mistake on Saturday but he has been superb for us so I don't think there is a problem."

The constant linking of Bruce with the vacancy at St Andrews has not had a detrimental affect on the side, in fact it seems to have inspired them.

"Let's hope it worries them a bit tonight, although they went to Wolves and got a good win at the weekend," said Taylor.

Bruce has been careful not to discuss the Blues job and he is just delighted with the way his current team is playing.

"All my players have been magnificent and I knew they would come good," he said Bruce.

"I wanted to give them a chance to show what they could do when I came here and they've really done that.

"It's especially pleasing to be keeping so many clean sheets. We will have no fear of anyone now."

There is certainly no fear in the Burnley camp either and Taylor insists that confidence remains high. All they want to do now is get back to winning ways.

"Our target is still a place in the top two and that means winning games like tonight," said Taylor.