BRFC Articles

Davies is ready for Rovers

Was it a surprise when Blackburn came in for you?

"It was a big surprise. I'd just got back from a holiday in Cyprus with a couple of the Chesterfield players who I'm still mates with and I got a call saying we might be going up for talks that week some time, so be prepared. Then, once the two chairmen and the clubs had decided a price, the decision was up to me. I had a look around the club and I liked it, so once personal terms were agreed that was it."

The news seemed sudden, how long did the deal take?

"It was actually over about a fortnight, but there was nothing in the Press about it until the deal had been done. Both clubs wanted to keep it quiet for whatever reason, it was nothing to do with me. As soon as I decided I wanted to move, I had the medical, everything was fine and that was it. I signed straight away."

Were you looking for a move away from the Dell? 

"No, I was perfectly happy. I'd settled down in Southampton. There were rumours about me being homesick and unsettled at the start of last season and I was unhappy then, but it was nothing to do with the team or anything. Come Christmas I was in the team, things were going well and I was more than happy. I certainly didn't expect to be on the move this summer."

What attracted you to Blackburn?

"There were plenty of attractions. The stadium is fantastic, there's the chance of playing in Europe next year, which is an important attraction for any player, and I think there's the realistic chance of winning medals here. I wouldn't say it was an easy decision to leave Southampton. I've had to leave the fans down there, who I liked and they seemed to like me. But I weighed things up and I thought it was an opportunity I had to take. I'm pleased with my decision."

How much of a factor was Roy Hodgson?

"To be honest I don't follow managers and other players too much. I don't watch a lot of football. But the manager has impressed me a lot already since we've been in pre-season training. I liked what he said when I first came here and he's taken time in training trying to help the players and improve us as a team."

Are you settling into life at Ewood Park already?

"Yeah, the lads are brilliant, the staff are brilliant and everyone's been really friendly. I've no complaints, it's been great so far. I'm staying in a hotel, but I'll be looking for somewhere to live nearby. Some of the lads have already offered to help me find somewhere, so I can't see any problems settling in." 

What do you think about being valued at �7.5 million?

"It's nothing to do with me, that's to do with the two clubs. As a player I don't think you pay that much attention to the fee. The only thing about Blackburn paying that amount of money is that maybe it will bring higher expectations, but it doesn't affect me."

Is it important to be playing with internationals?

"It's always important to play with top-class players. There are the internationals who everyone recognises, but there are other quality players here. Saying that, down in Southampton there were quality players too - I managed to get the England U-21 call and a B call-up while I was at Southampton. You've got to be a good player to be playing in the Premiership."

What are your targets for the season?

"The main ones are for Blackburn to maybe win a trophy and to give a good account of ourselves in Europe. That's very important for everyone at the club. From a personal point of view I'd like to bag a few goals."

How do you feel about trying to break up the Sutton/Gallacher partnership?

"I enjoy playing as a central striker, but there's going to be plenty of competition in every position. Chris and Kevin had a great partnership last season, but the manager has stressed that nobody's going to walk into the side. We've got the pre-season games to try to prove ourselves, so it's a matter of training hard and playing for places. I didn't start the season in the Southampton team, so that shows what can happen. We'll just have to wait and see."

How pleased were you with last season?

"I was pleased. I was on the bench at the start of the season, but I managed to get a chance and I scored a few goals. Up until getting injured in January, I was delighted with my perfomances."

How tough has it been with the injury?

"It's been terrible, but I think I've put it behind me. I'm back in training and I've had no reaction from the knee. It feels fine, so it's just a matter of getting the fitness back and getting the feel for the ball back. I can't wait till the season starts."

Was it an easy step up to Premiership football? 

"I don't know really, I'm the kind who just gets on with the job and doesn't worry about it. It was great to be walking out on to the pitch with some of the greatest players around. It gave me an extra buzz to be thinking, 'If I tackle back I can tackle Steve McManaman or Paul Ince or whoever it may be'. It got the adrenalin going."

What are your main attributes as a player?

"I like to go straight at the defence. I'm quite powerful and physical and giving the defenders hell is what I want to do, hopefully scoring a few goals along the way. But there's loads I can work on - finishing, moving off the ball, holding up play, heading. I can always improve on everything."

What about comparisons with Alan Shearer?

"Over the last year or two Shearer's the player I've most looked up to. It's easy to put a tag on me because of the link between Southampton and a move to Blackburn, but people at Southampton told me, 'Stay here and we'll make you the next Shearer'. But I'm my own player and I want to be judged on what I do."