Kelvin Davis signs new contract

[Saint Garrett]

Makes sense with the 10 years thing. Deserves the club to stay loyal to him, and for him to be involved. Great character and top man, despite him not being a very good keeper at this level anymore.

[pingwing]

On the one hand seems a bit odd seeing as he's not really a key player on the field and there are one or two lads that still need sorting out on that front (Lambert mainly) but on the other hand he's clearly well liked and a great guy to have around the club who hopefully will join Jaidi in the backroom staff roles over the next few years which will be great!

 

Just hope he's ok with nothing being first choice any more.

[Bobbyboy]

Can he play left back?

[Appy]

Can he play left back?

 

Is he better than Shaw?

[Maggie May]

Two things:

 

Am I right in thinking he has a 100% penalty save ratio this season?

 

The website's continued use of giving 'club' a capital C in articles makes me vomit.

[BILLY]

@SouthamptonFC: Southampton are delighted to announce that Club Captain Kelvin Davis has extended his contract until 2016. #saintsfc http://t.co/hp9z53JSIf

 

Odd.

 

Unbelievable! Loyal servant but well past it - hope he never plays for the first team again.

[Lazlo78]

@solentsport: Kelvin Davis talks to @bigadamsport about his new contract at #saintsfc, which is set to see him com... http://t.co/WLHYtm0Hvt via @audioboo

 

Very nice interview, thanks!

[Charlie Wayman]

... and they say there is no sentiment in business

[Charlie Wayman]

Unbelievable! Loyal servant but well past it - hope he never plays for the first team again.

 

You miserable s.od. You deserve to be pensioned off at 40.

[Dr Who?]

Love Davis, super Saint, and can still play in the top flight.

 

Great servant and great role model for any young player.

 

Think we may see him in the No1 shirt more often than you think.

[ART]

Disgusted. Loyal player but Adkins was loyal and look where it got him. Going for Europe? All in Cortesé's fantasies. We have yet to sign a decent player since promotion. Ramirez, the biggest mistake ever,

[S-Clarke]

Disgusted. Loyal player but Adkins was loyal and look where it got him. Going for Europe? All in Cortesé's fantasies. We have yet to sign a decent player since promotion. Ramirez, the biggest mistake ever,

 

Before I clicked on this thread I thought your post would be dramatic and quite mentalist, and I wasn't wrong.

[Badger]

Wonder how many managers KD will work under in the duration of his new contract.

 

Oh well done KD !

[BILLY]

Think we may see him in the No1 shirt more often than you think.

 

******* hope not - he is a liability.

[krissyboy31]

Must say I'm surprised. I assumed he would be moving on to get first team football. Must be looking at some sort of coacjhing role IMO.

[It's There]

I suspect KD wanted to stay for a variety of reasons, not least to avoid uprooting his family. Perhaps he took a pay cut, but spread it over three years to provide that stability whilst he aslo worked on is coaching badges.

[Faz]

I suspect KD wanted to stay for a variety of reasons' date=' not least to avoid uprooting his family. Perhaps he took a pay cut, but spread it over three years to provide that stability whilst he aslo worked on is coaching badges.[/quote']

 

Probably not wrong

[Graffito]

Loyal servant, thoroughly decent bloke and all that but bit surprised about this one. Is he top six material?

[mitch01]

Not a good Premiership keeper, but still happy to see him sign on to effectively end his career here. His presence can only help the squad and it is good to see that Cortese perhaps isn't as stone-hearted as I had thought.

[Lighthouse]

Seems I am one of the few people not happy with this news. A 3 year contract for a player I hope never to see play for us again. Nothing against the guy but he is a liability at this level and at 36 I doubt he will be getting much better any time soon.

 

Can only assume there is a player/coach element to this contract. Hopefully he can teach our young 'keepers a bit more than flapping at crosses, palming shots into the centre of the 6 yard box and being beaten at his near post by a shot from absolutely any distance.

 

Don't get the 'reward for his loyalty' bit either. Is being paid £500,000 a year to play football really that bad? Other than an offer to sit on the bench at West Ham has he actually had any decent offers away from Saints?

 

I wouldn't mind so much but we are essentially paying for this new contract with our ticket office booking fees and car parking charges.

[Dig Dig]

Don't see much wrong with the club looking after one of our longest serving players, especially when the pretence is to keep some continuity in the dressing, his presence obviously has a positive impact. Don't see that there is anything to grumble about.

[S-Clarke]

Seems I am one of the few people not happy with this news. A 3 year contract for a player I hope never to see play for us again. Nothing against the guy but he is a liability at this level and at 36 I doubt he will be getting much better any time soon.

 

Can only assume there is a player/coach element to this contract. Hopefully he can teach our young 'keepers a bit more than flapping at crosses, palming shots into the centre of the 6 yard box and being beaten at his near post by a shot from absolutely any distance.

 

Don't get the 'reward for his loyalty' bit either. Is being paid £500,000 a year to play football really that bad? Other than an offer to sit on the bench at West Ham has he actually had any decent offers away from Saints?

 

I wouldn't mind so much but we are essentially paying for this new contract with our ticket office booking fees and car parking charges.

 

Look beyond ''playing'', and look more into his role as club captain and potential coach. That's when you see that this deal is a good one for the club.

[egg]

Am I the only one who doesn't get this? He's old, past his best and will only get worse. Why a 3 year extension?

 

I get that he's been a stalwart but he's been paid for his services. He's no longer up to the standard and blocking the path of youth.

 

Sentiment doesn't win football matches.

[Lighthouse]

Look beyond ''playing'', and look more into his role as club captain and potential coach. That's when you see that this deal is a good one for the club.

 

Well why not let his current deal run until 2014 then offer him a coaching contract? We'll be giving Butterfield a new 2 year deal next.

 

This kind of sentimentality has got us in trouble before. In 2005 we went down refusing to admit Dodd, Le Saux, Telfer and Claus were old and well past it. Then in 2007 we nearly did the same again with the likes of Powell, Makin and Claus (again). I know Kelvin on his own isn't a problem but it does snooker our GK options for next season a bit. Assuming we want to 'keep Boruc and Gazza, we pretty much have to stay as we are. There just isn't the room on the wage bill to bring in a Butland-a-like to push for the #1 Jersey. We just have to hope Gazza comes good.

[TopGun]

Totally happy with this. It's not a block to other goalkeepers at all. Good know all and back up for the younger keepers we might have. It's known he wants his kids to stay in their schools locally so he's probably not costing that much to be a guiding light or helping hand.

Edited 8 March, 2013 by TopGun

[Ohio Saint]

I'm very happy to see this.

 

Most people seem to understand the reasoning of keeping a great motivator and team spirit builder with coaching potential in the set-up.......And some are just, well, forum posters I suppose.

[rshephard3]

Seems I am one of the few people not happy with this news. A 3 year contract for a player I hope never to see play for us again. Nothing against the guy but he is a liability at this level and at 36 I doubt he will be getting much better any time soon.

 

Can only assume there is a player/coach element to this contract. Hopefully he can teach our young 'keepers a bit more than flapping at crosses, palming shots into the centre of the 6 yard box and being beaten at his near post by a shot from absolutely any distance.

 

Don't get the 'reward for his loyalty' bit either. Is being paid £500,000 a year to play football really that bad? Other than an offer to sit on the bench at West Ham has he actually had any decent offers away from Saints?

 

I wouldn't mind so much but we are essentially paying for this new contract with our ticket office booking fees and car parking charges.

 

If it wasn't for people like Kelvin sticking around, acting like proper pro's in a world of prima donna morons we'd still be floating around outside the prem. The short memory brigade are out in force here. Being integral in getting us to the prem (a £60 million transaction) is a huge achievement. Did you consider it might just be with a view to staying at the club in a capacity other than player? Cortese and co can't win can they, the one time a more mature player gets a decent new contract to thank him for service and do some coaching it's all "we want our hard nosed Saints back who don't give a s**t about anyone". Then when people have to pay 50p to park their car they throw a hissy fit and near on faint.

[BILLY]

I'm very happy to see this.

 

Most people seem to understand the reasoning of keeping a great motivator and team spirit builder with coaching potential in the set-up.......And some are just, well, forum posters I suppose.

 

Either your view or our view doesn't count then! Yeah get over yourself. Everyone is entitled to a view and as I said already this is a total waste of money.

[egg]

I'm very happy to see this.

 

Most people seem to understand the reasoning of keeping a great motivator and team spirit builder with coaching potential in the set-up.......And some are just, well, forum posters I suppose.

 

so your view is the only right one?

 

it's a sad state of affairs if you have to keep (and pay) a past it player as a motivator.

[Wade Garrett]

He deserves it for his loyalty alone. Magnificent servant to the club, although I think his best days are behind him.

[John Boy Saint]

Bit strange but fair enough, especially as when we were about to plummet into the abyss he was on the verge of a no doubt cushy little number at West Ham. Then ML & NC rocked up and yanked us back from edge and amongst all the work in progress to buy Saints persuaded Kelvin to stay with us, which based on the past 3 seasons was a blinding bit of business.

 

There are a few comments regarding Rickie above, I thought that he had signed a healthy contract extension around this time last year.

[Dimond Geezer]

Slightly surprised, but pleased by this. Obviously he's a valued member of the squad & good to have around. He thoroughly deserves it.

[Dig Dig]

so your view is the only right one?

 

it's a sad state of affairs if you have to keep (and pay) a past it player as a motivator.

 

His view is the majority held one. You're entitled to yours but it makes you sound like a bitter lemon if you think showing apprciation for loyalty, hardwork and success is a "sad state of affairs"

[Tokyo-Saint]

so your view is the only right one?

 

it's a sad state of affairs if you have to keep (and pay) a past it player as a motivator.

 

Wouldn't that depend on how much he was being paid and our financial situation at the time?

[rshephard3]

Wouldn't that depend on how much he was being paid and our financial situation at the time?

 

Absolutely right, the fact we wouldn't have done this 5 years ago doesn't mean it is the wrong thing to do now. The times they are a-changing.

[Suomi Saint]

Quite an odd decision, but surely it means a gradual drift into coaching for Kelv. Of course, should we get relegated, then we will have our old number one back - no need to look for another keeper when Boruc flies the nest.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Excellent news and well deserved by KD. He loves the club and Southampton too - not just a club stalwart but now a loyal resident. If you watch his interviews on Saintsplayer he really comes across as an extremely credible bloke and I can imagine that he provides much to the team even when playing a back-up role. Best of luck for the future with Saints KD.

[david in sweden]

It is a bit odd. Another year maybe but another three years? He'll be 39 by then.[/quote)

 

 

AND ?......goalies in particular tend to play on longer than others. It's no surprise.

 

There are probably 2 or 3 others..... currently playing in the Prem. who are older than KD will be .......by 2016.

[Chez]

I'd have Davis in goal ahead of Gazza every day of the week based on what we have seen this season. Hopefully Gazza will develop far better than Bart did. Davis has got the contract because the management think he's done OK and not just out of loyalty. They were quick to cut Hammond and Sharp, so they are not sentimental.

 

Palming a wicked cross on sodden ground into the path of Berba doesn't mean he's woeful or passed it. My concern would be whether he will hear `it's in, what a save' with him in nets. There may be better keepers out there, but you have to get them, pay them and then make them sit on the bench whilst Boruc shines.

Edited 8 March, 2013 by Chez

[hasper57saint]

Where did you hear this? I'm sure like with any club, opinion of the manager is divided to some extent

 

Thought you had him on ignore.What's changed?

[egg]

His view is the majority held one. You're entitled to yours but it makes you sound like a bitter lemon if you think showing apprciation for loyalty, hardwork and success is a "sad state of affairs"

 

There's no bitterness on my part. We need to make progress and bring better players in/on.

 

Davis has been a cracking servant but most accept that he's best days are behind him. Gazza has a bright future but is likely to be held back by Davis staying around for another 3 years.

 

Players are well rewarded and I just don't get the need to reward success or loyalty by giving a contract to a player who won't add to the team and could block the path of the next number 1. A year "bonus" for services rendered makes no business or footballing sense.

 

If Davis can offer something as a motivator or coach (as others have suggested) then hire him in that role, not under a players contract.

[david in sweden]

There's no bitterness on my part. We need to make progress and bring better players in/on.

 

Davis has been a cracking servant but most accept that he's best days are behind him. Gazza has a bright future but is likely to be held back by Davis staying around for another 3 years.

 

Players are well rewarded and I just don't get the need to reward success or loyalty by giving a contract to a player who won't add to the team and could block the path of the next number 1.

 

A year "bonus" for services rendered makes no business or footballing sense.

 

If Davis can offer something as a motivator or coach (as others have suggested) then hire him in that role, not under a players contract.

 

 

 

KD's extended contract has a two-fold purpose. (If were not counting Lallana's time as a youth player)....then Kelvin is the longest serving player on the staff (?)..and provides continuity.

 

Many have said ..he's a great role model for younger players, and of course keeping fit for such emergencies (that we hope won't ever happen) is sensible...but nevertheless.. it's a good decision.

 

However, if Gazzaniga hasn't got the no.2 spot by the end of next season, then either the goalkeeping coach isn't doing his job ...or Gazza isn't the real thing, and an " improved " Cropper may pass him.

 

Assuming that we sign Boruc...as no.1, then....Gazza may spend some time on the bench (as Bart did) before he outranks Artur, but I don't see MP keeping him for any patriotic reason.

Edited 10 March, 2013 by david in sweden