I wish i didnt feel the need to do this but Steven has been woeful weeks and anonymous for months. Were does everyone here stand on his starting spot for the remainder of the season and his contract (expires 2018) in the future?
I like Davis as he is a grafter, he adds bitr to our midfield. But next season it could be:He's had a bad patch in his last 3 after that little injury but still a good player, personally think he shouldn't have started either of the past two games but now Ron is in a bit more of a tricky situation as either of the last two games him not starting would feel like rotation, after that rough of a game now it'll feel like being dropped and affect his confidence more. Not really a problem though he's an experienced pro so probably be fine and even if not and it's the end of the season it's not like it'll run on through the summer. No qualms whatsoever about him being in the squad and involved heavily next year, would like JWP to see more time and of course it would be a wonder to have a real creative spark (the fabled 'assist machine' to guy with our '20 goal a season striker' that we should've easily gotten by now) to change the pace from Davis' steady knitting of the play when needs be.
I like Davis he is a grafter. But next season it could be:
Prowse
Wanyama
Clasie
Vilhena
Reed
Gape
He would be hardly used.
Gape is the same type of player as Davis. He has been great this season and capped it off with a good U21 cup final. The problem with Davis is we have so many good/great young midfield prospects coming through. If not next season then the one after that he will be well down the list.I'd place him ahead of Vilhena, Reed and Gape, so fourth choice makes him still important for me and should still play plenty. Vilhena is talented but not a finished product by any means also it'll be a big step-up and I like Reed but he's a different kind of player and whilst he's looked well up to this level not done developing either. Not to mention whilst Clasie looks like he would be a great signing he's by no means a sure thing either. If all goes to plan not sure he starts more than a handful of games but think he'll still be involved and a good part of the squad.
Gape is the same type of player as Davis. He has been great this season and capped it off with a good U21 cup final. The problem with Davis is we have so many good/great young midfield prospects coming through. If not next season then the one after that he will be well down the list.
What game would that be? He has plenty of chances through out the season. Yet hasn't tucked them away.I am pro Steve Davis and feel sorry for him, another game and he would have had a hat trick, nothing wrong with his work rate, nothing wrong with his positional closing down play, he treads on virtually every blade of grass on the pitch, he gets into great positions, the only thing not working is the finishing and that I am afraid is not acceptable at this level.
Was probably expecting a thread like this to appear tonight. His shooting boots were left at home, most definitely, but he gets in excellent positions, and the rest of his game is fine in my opinion.
I know I've always been a Davis fan, but I think it is easy to overreact when somebody misses 3 clear cut chances like he did today. He does an awful lot of other things which go unnoticed.