The magnificent kelvin Davis

[Nutwood2]

Following Sunday's game, I just thought it was time to pay tribute once again to the magnificent contribution that Kelvin has made to this football club. I was right behind the goal, low-down at the Chapel End on Sunday and watched the warmup routine and the the match (obviously) and I can honestly say that this guy's reactions are beyond belief. My mate who'd come down from Kent to watch the game and used to be a pretty good keeper with margate himself said he thought he was outstanding. Keepers rarely get the praise they deserve. I also think Bart deserves a lot of credit for sticking with it when he must be frustrated at times with the lack of action. In my opinion, Kelvin is the model pro and I proudly hold my hat up to you as one of the great keepers (and we've had a few haven't we!)

[sambosa75]

I'm a massive fan of Kelvin. Keeps us in games at times. Will never forget Brentford away 2 seasons ago. We drew 1-1 but Kelvin was absolutely outstanding and pulled off about 5 or 6 saves of genuine world class ability.

[saints-cris]

I still applaud him for not leaving us for West Ham just to go sit on their bench. Turned out to be a pretty good choice. Think hes a class keeper at this level and pretty greatful that hes stuck around.

[JackFrost]

Considering the stick Davis was getting under Burley when he was making schoolboy errors every other week it's testament to him how far he has come since then and how he has progressed

 

Hats off to him

[Benali Saint]

A very loyal man.

A good keeper.

And a top bloke.

[niceandfriendly]

Class keeper and good bloke. Has his weaknesses but we couldn't do much better than him.

[Micky]

I still applaud him for not leaving us for West Ham just to go sit on their bench. Turned out to be a pretty good choice. Think hes a class keeper at this level and pretty greatful that hes stuck around.

 

This. Could of probably doubled his wages while halving his workload - many would have taken the 'easy' option. Got loads of time and respect for a damn good pro - top bloke.

[ant]

Yep, quite apart from pulling off some truly world-class saves already this season, he's genuinely a top guy.

 

Saw Davis signing autographs on the way into the stadium on Sunday and he hung around the longest of the players there at the time, making sure that he'd seen everyone. When a kid shouted "Kelvinnnn!" just as he was walking in, he turned back and had another quick chat with the lad (promising that he'd try to spot him in the crowd and wave - as if!) Seems to be one of the big dressing room jokers too.

[david in sweden]

Good keeper. Not a great one though, i.e. Top flight quality and few weaknesses.

 

Wonder if we'd buy a keeper if we did go up.

 

absolutely nothing against KD, but looking back at Prem.sides last season most of them had AT LEAST one international keeper on their books, some of them TWO.

 

Whilst it's true that KD is good,and maybe OK in Prem. I wonder if Bart is really right for the No.2 spot after we go up ?

[Bentley]

Amazing shot stopper and his cross catching has gotten much better.

 

His distribution will cause me to have heart problems at an early age.

[scott_saints]

Amazing shot stopper and his cross catching has gotten much better.

 

His distribution will cause me to have heart problems at an early age.

If you are likely to suffer from heart problems due to keeper's poor distribution, surely Jonah would have finished you off?

[Ohio Saint]

The team is running largely on camaraderie and high spirits. I wonder how much of that is also down to the club's resident joker? Good man both on and off the pitch.

[Golden Balls]

He has pulled off many Niemi-esque saves already this season. Quality keeper, quality bloke, lucky to have him

[saintmatt]

I was at Sheff Wed when we lost 5-0 and Kelv reacted to fans having a go at him. Felt for him that day and so glad he's turned it around. Quality keeper and quality guy by all accounts. Can anyone name another footballer who's managed to go from zero to hero so unequivocally!?

[scott_saints]

How did he react that game at Wednesday? Remember hearing about it.

[saintmatt]

Just turned round during the game and shouted shut up (or words to that effect) to the Saints fans behind his goal, nothing serious (nice to seem some passion as well I suppose). He kissed the badge pretty soon afterwards to try and redeem himself; not sure it worked too well given the fact we were in the process of getting battered!

[skintsaint]

that save from the freekick which two deflections was a sign of a keeper in great form.

[eelpie]

Following Sunday's game, I just thought it was time to pay tribute once again to the magnificent contribution that Kelvin has made to this football club. I was right behind the goal, low-down at the Chapel End on Sunday and watched the warmup routine and the the match (obviously) and I can honestly say that this guy's reactions are beyond belief. My mate who'd come down from Kent to watch the game and used to be a pretty good keeper with margate himself said he thought he was outstanding. Keepers rarely get the praise they deserve. I also think Bart deserves a lot of credit for sticking with it when he must be frustrated at times with the lack of action. In my opinion, Kelvin is the model pro and I proudly hold my hat up to you as one of the great keepers (and we've had a few haven't we!)

 

So very true. Some of his saves are quite unbelievable, and as good as any saves of our great past keepers. They all happen

so quickly. It would be great if the club could publish a dvd of his best saves - with slow motion repeats! Would be class, and

sell well, I'm sure.

[Aardvark]

Agree with all the above.

But - please cure him of this habit of always taking short goal-kicks, even when completely inappropriate and downright dangerous. We were lucky to get away without this resulting in 2 or 3 goals against us in both the Forest and Birmingham games. I guess he's just trying to follow the "passing game" philosophy, which is admirable, but there are times when you have to play it safe. Top top shotstopper though which is of course his primary function.

[rooney]

that save from the freekick which two deflections was a sign of a keeper in great form.

That was a superb save. He got down quick and held the ball to his body despite the exteremely wet conditions. Not many keepers

would have held onto it like Kelvin did on Sunday.

[Saint_clark]

That was a superb save. He got down quick and held the ball to his body despite the exteremely wet conditions. Not many keepers

would have held onto it like Kelvin did on Sunday.

 

That was a different one. The free-kick with two deflections was a one handed save.

[LainPain]

Amazing, after his difficult start, that he's made 236 appearances for us.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Amazing, after his difficult start, that he's made 236 appearances for us.

 

Wow didn't realise it was that many- got to commend his loyalty in our darkest hour.

[david in sweden]

It's a point well-made that the " age-factor " doesn't really apply to keepers in the same way as outfielders.

 

A striker / midfielder who passes 30 ..starts to get called " very experienced ", and by the time he reaches 33 / 34 is awaiting the tag " veteran " to be attached to his name.

 

A lot of keepers reaching that age, may be asking themselves..am I ever going to get a permanent spot now that that young guy has come in. Kev is immensly experienced, having played in other clubs he has started to feel that he has begun a " new career " I'm sure. He seems to be playing as well as he ever did.

 

I recall legendary goalies like Lev Yashin, Dino Zoff and Peter Shilton still playing at the top of their game when they had passed 40, and the recently retired Edwin van der Sar, left Fulham at age 35.. and then had his best ever years with Man.U.

 

If Kev continues his excellent form, and can still have a tight defence in front of him, it may be quite a few years before Bart can expect to become the regular choice keeper.

[Bad Wolf]

Cardiff at home. Won 1-0, season we went down. Can't remember a lot about it, Surman scored I think and he made the most amazing save I've ever seen in the flesh.

Journos said it was better than Banks against Pele.

[Wes Tender]

When we bought him from Sunderland, all their fans laughed their heads off at the money we had wasted on him and some said that they would have driven him down here and been happy if they'd given him away for free.

 

There was a case that could be made out that he was a good keeper whose confidence had taken a massive knock because of the amateur defending in front of him when Sunderland were relegated having let in a bucketful of goals that season.

 

But Kelvin buckled down and applied himself, gradually building his confidence and that of the defence with his natural ability and restored his reputation as a decent keeper. Like most keepers, he has his strengths and weaknesses, but as a shot-stopper he is immense and there are few I'd prefer to have between the sticks in a penalty shoot-out.

[Mowgli]

I'm a bit of a Bart fan and still think he will be our #1 in due course but watched him Wednesday and realised why KD is keeping him out. We are so lucky to have Kelvin Davis - we just take it for granted after a while and start to wonder if we can do better.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Always thought he was a great shot stopper, and after meeting him I have to say he is one of the nicest guys I've met. Nothing is too much trouble. Happy to have him, and he could play again in the Prem for sure.

 

Also, keeper of the year 2 years running in League 1, and if I remember rightly runner up in the Championship in our relegation year.

Edited 23 September, 2011 by Dibden Purlieu Saint

[saints-cris]

I can still remember that save last year against Sheff Wed in the last minute so clearly. I was convinced it was in as I was right behind it. Head was literally in my hands then out of nowhere Kelvin managed to tip it round the post. I don't think I've ever cheered a save so much in my life.