On 16 July 1976, Peter Taylor, Clough's assistant at Hartlepools, Derby and Brighton, re-joined him at Forest. Taylor included being the club's talent spotter in his role. After assessing the players Taylor told Clough "that was a feat by you to finish eighth in the Second Division because some of them are only Third Division players". Taylor berated John Robertson for allowing himself to become overweight and disillusioned. He got Robertson on a diet and training regime that would help him become a European Cup winner. Taylor turned Woodcock from a reserve midfielder into a 42 cap England striker. In September 1976 he bought striker Peter Withe to Forest for £43,000, selling him to Newcastle United for £250,000 two years later. Withe was replaced in the starting team by Garry Birtles who Taylor had scouted playing for non-league Long Eaton United. Birtles also went on to represent England. In October 1976 Clough, acting on Taylor's advice, signed centre-half Larry Lloyd from Coventry for £60,000 after an initial loan period. Lloyd had previously won the First Division, FA Cup and UEFA Cup under Bill Shankly at Liverpool.