Bucks Saint Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 (edited) Slightly random praise for Steve in the Metro today, from Chris Rann, but spot on and thoroughly deserved of course. A shorter version is in the main printed copy, with a prominent photo. http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/30/steven-davis-the-grey-man-and-how-he-is-vital-to-southampton-4713511/ Edited 1 May, 2014 by Bucks Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Completely agree. His performance in the Everton game was his best at Saints and to be fair one that stood up with the best I've seen from a midfielder. The only downside to his game is a lack of goals, but you could say the same of Morgan, Cork and Wanyama to be fair. From a squad perspective that actually is a problem that somehow the coaching staff need to solve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isla Wight Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 I agree 100%. He has been superb all season. Should be a contender for player of the season IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 I think the resounding standing ovation he got on Saturday when he was subbed showed how well everyone had seen him play despite his working out of the spotlight.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Queue him being linked with a move next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 He came in for some stick under Adkins but under Pochettino he has shined. He plays front to back. He starts upfield but actually moves back towards the ball when we have possession which creates space for others to move into. He is very diligent on and off the ball and looks after the ball as well. Just a year left on his deal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minsk Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 For me, he has been the second best Saints player on the pitch in just about every single game he has played in. He also comes in second as payer of the season for me, just behind Adam Lallana. We are a far better team when he is on the pitch than we are when he is off it. Great work rate, great team play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Yep, he played well on Saturday, but I still think that if we strengthen the squad over the summer, he wont be in the starting XI next season. You could also argue that he is holding up JWP's development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodles34 Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 I didnt think he offered much under Adkins, in fact I wondered if he was any better than Dean Hammond, But the back end of last season and this season has seen his contribution make the difference. We certainly have an abundance of decent midfielders, keep them, get a goalie, CB and striker and we'll be alright again next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 The most improved player under Pochettino after Jay Rodriguez. And he was pretty good before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 1 May, 2014 Author Share Posted 1 May, 2014 The most improved player under Pochettino after Jay Rodriguez. And he was pretty good before! yes this 100%. very solid before, great tackling, good at tracking back, but more prone to sideways / backwards passes. Now, has added better positional movement, improved speed of passing, spotting and creating opportunities, all around excellent use of space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Isn't Chris A poster on here? GeorgeWeahsCousin I think? Needs to be bigging up Hooiveld and Gazzaniga! :-) Cant fault Davis for his commitment though, top player and professional and, if Lallana goes (touch wood) our future captain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Such a technically good player, seldom gives the ball away and offers a bit of pace on the counter. Brilliant little player. I wasn't impressed in his first few performances for us where he was played deeper and went missing in games. Poch gets the most out of him now though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Johnson Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 If he was English or European he would be linked to every top 4 club in the premier league, the fact he's from Ireland means his performances go under the radar. He has been, without question, top top class this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St_Tel49 Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Yep, he played well on Saturday .... , but I still think that if we strengthen the squad over the summer, he wont be in the starting XI next season. You could also argue that he is holding up JWP's development. ... and every other Saturday. It is down to JWP to try to unseat him. As to your final comment - whoever comes would have be exceptional to keep him out of the team. If we added a cutting edge i.e. goals we would be capable of moving upwards with the midfield that we have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Good article Mr Rann. If it hadn't been for Lallana's majestic season, I reckon my vote would have gone to Steven Davis. Brilliant player, and like Cork I hope he gets a new contract in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 (edited) ... and every other Saturday. It is down to JWP to try to unseat him. As to your final comment - whoever comes would have be exceptional to keep him out of the team. If we added a cutting edge i.e. goals we would be capable of moving upwards with the midfield that we have. His opta stat's don't really back that up. For the position he plays in the team , he doesn't score enough goals or have enough assists. I'm sure, somewhere in the world there is someone a little bit better than Davis... To add a cutting edge in midfield you would need to drop someone from our current midfield, who? Edited 1 May, 2014 by Marsdinho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano6 Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 If he was English or European he would be linked to every top 4 club in the premier league, the fact he's from Ireland means his performances go under the radar. He has been, without question, top top class this year Crikey! What is he? Nigerian? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Top players. I phrase I hear a lot about him is "he's the most underrated player"...which technically doesn't make him underrated. Well, not with Saints fans anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint in winchester Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 I thought this article was about Steve Davis, snooker's Mr Interesting? He was good in the 80s and 90s but probably better at the commentary now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Crikey! What is he? Nigerian? Yeah, he keeps emailing me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Good article GWC! Steve has been excellent this season and covers a hell of a lot of ground for the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 He is a fantastic player. The only thing I find strange is this constant myth that he is underrated or some sort of unsung hero when he gets praised up to the hilt on here (and rightly so) every week." Never gets the credit he deserves" ermm....yes he does (at least among saints fans). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Ok article - nothing special. Lazy references to Didier Deschamps and being a water carrier didn't help. Arguably mischaracterises his game and what he brings to the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeweahscousin Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 Isn't Chris A poster on here? GeorgeWeahsCousin I think? Needs to be bigging up Hooiveld and Gazzaniga! :-) Cant fault Davis for his commitment though, top player and professional and, if Lallana goes (touch wood) our future captain. Guilty.... Hooiveld and Gazzaniga praise... Enjoy the wait. He is a fantastic player. The only thing I find strange is this constant myth that he is underrated or some sort of unsung hero when he gets praised up to the hilt on here (and rightly so) every week." Never gets the credit he deserves" ermm....yes he does (at least among saints fans). I think Saints fans, myself included were perhaps quillty of overlooking him in terms of praise until the last few months. Now everyone seems to be on his side, but the point stands in the media etc. He'll never get picked out there. Ok article - nothing special. Lazy references to Didier Deschamps and being a water carrier didn't help. Arguably mischaracterises his game and what he brings to the team. I will endeavour to improve as always! Don't agree on the water carrier reference being lazy, overused? Yes, but it is valid in terms of Davis. His workrate and his ball retention are his greatest strengths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 His opta stat's don't really back that up. For the position he plays in the team , he doesn't score enough goals or have enough assists. I'm sure, somewhere in the world there is someone a little bit better than Davis... For the position he plays in the team there is not much to criticise with his goals and assists. This season he has 8 (goals and assists). This is the same number (of goals and asissts) as Frank Lampard, Jack Wilshere, Fernandinho, Skrtel and Schurle. Reasonably good company (OK less goals than all of these but more assists). Our nextbest is Gaston (4) and Clyne (4). Cork and Wanyama between them muster 1 (assist), even Boruc is credited with 1 assist. Yet often Davis is playing in a more defensive position than either Jack or Vic when he is covering for Clyne or Chambers bombing forward. I'm not sure what some people expect in terms of goals and assists. I'd like to see him score more for sure, and I must admit he should have scored on Saturday, but to dismiss Davis as "not enough goals and assists" suggests a lack of understanding of how the game works and his role in our team. The reality is that 8 is a very good return for the position he plays. He is also a lot more skilled that some give him credit for. If he had been a Saints Academy graduate he would be our team captain. It will be very difficult to find someone to take his place in the team, if we do find someone, e.g. a better Gaston, then we will need Morgan, jack and Vic to make a far greater contribution in the goals and assists stakes. As others have said Davis is also one of the most improved players under MP, his goals/assists stats bear this out, 3 last season, 8 this - 1 assist last season, 6 this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 1 May, 2014 Share Posted 1 May, 2014 I have grown to like Steve Davis and the way he plays. I was guilty of overlooking him earlier in the season. Now one of the firsts names on the team sheet.. With Lallana , Wanyama , Shaw , Lovren etc. Well done Steve Davis. Well done Poch and staff ..:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Bones Posted 2 May, 2014 Share Posted 2 May, 2014 For me, he has been the second best Saints player on the pitch in just about every single game he has played in. He also comes in second as payer of the season for me, just behind Adam Lallana. We are a far better team when he is on the pitch than we are when he is off it. Great work rate, great team play. Agree 100% Very important Cog in the Saints Machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 2 May, 2014 Share Posted 2 May, 2014 I was constructing a response where I was going to discuss the fact that a lot of those players you mention have played less games than Davis and that one can’t be compared because he is a defender (Skrtle btw). I was then going to mention that you said he played a lot more defensive position than Jack and Vic (which I don’t agree with) yet seem to suggest a replacement would be a "better Gaston", Gaston is an attacking midfielder. I then went on to pick you up on your highly patronising comment about not understanding how the game works etc....but then I noticed that you seem to think Davis has scored 8 goals this season, so I decided it wasn't worth it as you clearly don't understand how the game works or his role in the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 2 May, 2014 Share Posted 2 May, 2014 Sorry, my above post is a response to VectisSaint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussexsaint Posted 2 May, 2014 Share Posted 2 May, 2014 I agree 100%. He has been superb all season. Should be a contender for player of the season IMO. This absolutely - solid dependable, unspectacular workmanlike and professional. Every team needs players like this. This generations Matt Oakley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussexsaint Posted 2 May, 2014 Share Posted 2 May, 2014 Oh an WHAT a midfield we have now ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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