This season has seen many Saints players come to wider recognition through international call ups, but perhaps one player's contribution is overlooked.

Steven Davis arrived at Saints with little fanfare coming on the back of Rangers fall into oblivion, but it could be said that over the past 18 months or so there hasnt been one player who has contributed as much as him and for so little recognition.

To be fair though Davis is vying for a place in a midfield that is packed with talent, there is the goalscoring skills of Rodriguez, the guile of Lallana, the power of Schneiderlin, the strength of Wanyama, not to mention perhaps another underrated player Jack Cork or the youthful promise of James Ward Prowse, this being the case its not hard to see why Steven Davis might not be the first player to be given the accolades from the fans.

But in his time here he has just quietly got on with the job of putting in some good workmanlike performances, this reminds me a little of the roles Nick Holmes or David Armstrong used to play for the side a few decades ago, back then Lawrie Mcmenemy used to say that every side needs hodcarriers as well as violinists and that is very much the case today, in order for the creative players to flourish, it needs the likes of Steven Davis doing the hard work, closing down players, winning the ball back and more importantly getting it to the players to create.

That's not to play down Davis, own creativity or goal scoring prowess, it is just that you don't see him hitting 40 yard defence splitting passes or 30 yard wonder goals, his work is a lot simpler, but in application no less important.

During his time at the club he could have played in 65 league games, given the number of rivals for the midfield its testament that out of those games he has only failed to get on the pitch in 10 of them, with 39 starts and 16 off the bench, weighing in with 4 league goals in the process.

This season he has started 17 games, come on as sub in 6 and missed only 4 scoring against Hull and Stoke, in recent months he has become a mainstay in the side, offering something different from the two player who will normally hold the centre of the midfield, his strengths are his ability to get the ball and move it about quickly, because he doesnt spent too much time on the ball or taking people on, some will not see his full worth to the team, but as any bricklayer will tell you the value of a good hod carrier, im sure Adam Lallana will tell you the value of having a player who can win the ball and give it to you quickly therefore enabling you to be a step ahead of your marker.

So hail Steven Davis, the most overlooked player in the team and certainly one of the most consistent, if he does well what he normally does well against Liverpool on Saturday then our chances of beating them will be a lot better.

Photo: Action Images

stmichael added 15:55 - Feb 26 Outstanding. MOPO a European coach coach with a European style picks him every week. That shows you what he thinks of his technical ability and of course his other attributes make him an ideal player to fit into any system.
0

SonicBoom added 16:31 - Feb 26 He's a strange one. On one hand I agree he keeps us ticking. he doesn't give the ball away and does a lot of work. Been a valuable team member. On the other he has a lot of limitations. When we are chasing games he gets the ball and gives it to someone else. Mostly sideways. In fact the opposition always clock this and often let him have it even half way inside their half as they know they are safer when he has it than say AL. He gets a lot of space but doesn't have the required vision to pick that pass - whether eye of a needle, or even just forward. So he gives us a lot in some ways, but he also is one of the reasons we dominate possession without penetrating and making it count. Swings and roundabouts I guess.

0

SaintNick added 16:49 - Feb 26 His job is to get the ball and give it to those who can create quickly
0

Zambucco added 19:04 - Feb 26 He's been on my radar from day, quietly doing his job, but doing it very well. I rate him very highly, he's good on the ball, especially going forward. More so than Morgan or Jack regularly looks for that ball into the area. This maybe controversial but I would pick him ahead of Cork and Ward Prowse every time, simple put I think he's the better player, creates and breaks down more than the other 2, but in an unassuming way. At the moment he is in my top 3 Saints players, Adam & Dejan no make it 4 & Luke, actually make it 5 & Morgan

0

cheltenhamsaint added 19:24 - Feb 26 Very good article and I am glad that we can give credit to one of the consummate professionals at our club, of which we have several. Every squad needs a player like Davis, Unassuming, unspectacular but utterly reliable. I like the way he keeps possession by moving the bay on very quickly, which can be extremely effective. His link up play with Clyne on the right for the second goal at Fulham was pivotal to the end result of the goal for JRod and our subsequent firm grip on the outcome of the match, His clever pass to JRod at Newcastle, whilst in space, needed forward thinking, vision and instant delivery to set up the goal that won us a hard earned point, Any team competing in this league needs balance and variety. Davis gives us that and a maturity off the pitch that will augur well for our younger prospects to follow

0

saintstuinoz added 00:23 - Feb 27 I have been singing his praises all season. He's been excellent for us this year. Talking about overlooked... everyone seems to forget that he's got the second highest assists at the club in the Premier League this year (5, tied with Lallana, with SRL on 7), so he does a lot more than 'hod-carrying'!
0

ExiledSupporter added 11:01 - Feb 27 A few more like Steve Davis, in different positions, and we would have the strength in depth that the club lacks at present. Would always be in my match day squad...hope he stays with us for a long time and proves he is worthy of inclusion with the Holmes and Armstrong style of player and person. Good for you Steve...
0

SonicBoom added 12:49 - Feb 27 Nick I understand his role, what I'm saying is that so do the opposition. They let him have it and back off just marking the other players he wants to give it to. They're safe in the knowledge he won't hurt them. That's why we pin a lot of teams back but cannot get through them. Davis gets the ball from one side and passes it across to the other - then back again. If it was Gaston or AL in the middle they would be closed down. He does a good job but can also contribute to our failure to penetrate teams.

1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Middlesbrough Polls