Dropped Davis the "ultimate pro"

8:31am Monday 24th September 2012 in Saints News

KELVIN DAVIS KELVIN DAVIS

Nigel Adkins paid tribute to club captain Kelvin Davis after dropping him.

Young Argentinian Paulo Gazzaniga came in for his Premier League debut after Adkins made the big call to leave out Davis, following his concession of 14 goals in four successive defeats.

Adkins said: “Kelvin Davis has been outstanding since I joined this football club.

“He’s the ultimate professional and a major player in what’s happened at Southampton in the last few years.

“But I have to make a decision, that’s what I’m paid to do.

“I told him on Thursday of my decision and he responded exactly as I would expect – in a positive, professional manner because he’s a top pro.

“Paulo has put in a good performance. He caught the ball when he needed to, kicked it well and made a good block in the second half.”

Comments(27)

SFCOLDBOY says...
8:59am Mon 24 Sep 12

I know they speak Spanish in Argentina but that don't make Paulo Gazziniga, Spanish.
As for Kelvin Davis, he has been a tower of strength for Saints through all of the DARK LORD times and our fantastic rise.
He stayed with the Saints when he could have moved.
He has been a model proffesional football player and I say dont write him off.
He will continue to be in contention for the number 1 spot in the team.
Competition is good for saints and for him.
COYR

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Just another reader says...
9:05am Mon 24 Sep 12

Umm, where does it say anything about Gazza being Spanish, and more to the point what's it got to do with the performance?? Or have the echo done their usual trick and edited the story after getting the facts wrong again!?

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Seedhouse the Unrepentant says...
9:06am Mon 24 Sep 12

Respect.

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SFCOLDBOY says...
9:08am Mon 24 Sep 12

SFCOLDBOY wrote:
I know they speak Spanish in Argentina but that don't make Paulo Gazziniga, Spanish.
As for Kelvin Davis, he has been a tower of strength for Saints through all of the DARK LORD times and our fantastic rise.
He stayed with the Saints when he could have moved.
He has been a model proffesional football player and I say dont write him off.
He will continue to be in contention for the number 1 spot in the team.
Competition is good for saints and for him.
COYR
The start of this post will now sound odd because the text had been changed from "Young Spaniard Paulo Gazziniga" to what you now read above.
Well done Echo.

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OSPREYSAINT says...
9:10am Mon 24 Sep 12

KD? His confidence must have been shattered after the Arsenal game, doesn't mean he has become a bad player overnight, this Season has a long way to go, there will be injuries, we need every single one of our Players to be ready to step in when needed, nobody knows of Gazzas weaknesses yet, as he hasn't played enough games to find out, unless he is a "super-being" there are bound to be flaws, and no doubt our sceptics will be on here like a rash to point them out. We have three GKs on the books and I bet they all get a chance to shine and we should be behind them all the way, not selecting individuals for a raft of vitriol when things don't go right.

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WECOMING4U says...
9:11am Mon 24 Sep 12

Kelvin Davis has been superb, so has Adkins, in Nigel we trust.

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Alicesdad says...
9:21am Mon 24 Sep 12

Well done to Gazzaniga. First big game and he looked sound.

Kelvin knows the score, this is a premiership outfit and he will not be gifted his place on sentiment. The respect that the fans have for him is enormous.

Hats off to Adkins though. This was a big call and he was proved right on the day.

The use of subs was good too. The new players need to be introduced and given their chance. There is going to be an almighty scrap for places.

All in all this reflects on good management. Top man Nigel. Did everyone hear Harry and Lawrenson praising him up on MOTD ? Fully justified praise !!

Top scorers in the premiership this weekend, out of the bottom zone and Lambert looking like he could get a hatful this season.

So.... altogether now .. .SMILE !!!!!

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SFCOLDBOY says...
9:43am Mon 24 Sep 12

Alicesdad wrote:
Well done to Gazzaniga. First big game and he looked sound.

Kelvin knows the score, this is a premiership outfit and he will not be gifted his place on sentiment. The respect that the fans have for him is enormous.

Hats off to Adkins though. This was a big call and he was proved right on the day.

The use of subs was good too. The new players need to be introduced and given their chance. There is going to be an almighty scrap for places.

All in all this reflects on good management. Top man Nigel. Did everyone hear Harry and Lawrenson praising him up on MOTD ? Fully justified praise !!

Top scorers in the premiership this weekend, out of the bottom zone and Lambert looking like he could get a hatful this season.

So.... altogether now .. .SMILE !!!!!
Alicesdad,
Best weekend since start of the season.
Every one seems to be so much more possitive.
It's hacking it down right now outside but I don't care.
All of the possitive thoughts from Saturdays game make it feel like everything is sunny and coming up roses.
Love to see certain TV EXPERTS eating humble pie.
COYR

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St Retford says...
9:48am Mon 24 Sep 12

One of the things I love about Kelvin is how relaxed he is coming onto the pitch. He's always dicking about with a smile on his face and that has to be a calming influence on the rest of the team. He'll be a top bloke to have around the dressing room, even if he doesn't get a game for the rest of the season.

We now have four goalkeepers though - that seems like a lot.

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upwherewebelong says...
11:17am Mon 24 Sep 12

Having signed Boruc does that mean Gazzanigga will be dropped for Everton or will we stick with the same 11 that started against Villa? OR will Fox also be dropped as was it just me or did we look MUCH better without Fox

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St Retford says...
11:26am Mon 24 Sep 12

upwherewebelong wrote:
Having signed Boruc does that mean Gazzanigga will be dropped for Everton or will we stick with the same 11 that started against Villa? OR will Fox also be dropped as was it just me or did we look MUCH better without Fox
To be fair, Fox was a shining example of how-not-to-defend for the Villa goal and Nigel must have been extremely hacked off with him to replace him with a right-back at half-time. I think he'll struggle to get back in the side, to be honest.

The goalkeeper situation is interesting. We've got a friendly against Wednesday tomorrow and usually these things are a chance to give your reserve keeper a run out, but I've a feeling that whoever starts will be the person Nigel sees as being are best keeper. Personally, I'm betting it'll be the new guy because he's decent. He's a bit of a mentalist, but I think he'll quickly become a fans' favourite.

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spratt says...
11:31am Mon 24 Sep 12

We certainly did look better with Richardson in place of Fox. Altogether better performance in the second half and I liked the way Mayuka panicked their defence. Bring him on ealier maybe?

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rpjcheney says...
1:26pm Mon 24 Sep 12

I too was impressed with Gazza. Commanded his area well, made all the right decisions and was quickly shouting at established first team players when he was not happy. All very encouraging. Didn't have too many shots on goal to deal with (and Bent's goal was not his fault), so if he keeps his place then Everton should prove a good test.

Kelvin is a top bloke and there has been a little too much over the weekend writing him off. He was in the Championship team of the year for a reason and his loyalty to Saints is up there with Lallana.

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saint Compo says...
1:59pm Mon 24 Sep 12

KD's a great pro who has served Saints well. A true Saint. We should keep him on the bus even if he plays less games in future. He will be a good influence in the dressing room and on the training pitch and will be able to teach the young Gazzaniga and Cropper the goalkeeper's trade.

COYR

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Saintsayer II says...
2:12pm Mon 24 Sep 12

If this does become the end of KD's playing career then I would expect the club to find him a coaching spot as a reward for his loyalty when the times were so much different to to-day

Boruc was apparently a massive favourite at Celtic not least because he wound up Rangers supporters Lets just point him to the east and see how it goes

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saint Compo says...
2:43pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Hopefully, Boruc will never get the chance to wind up Pompey supporters because we will not be playing them again for a very long time. (I can't even see them getting to the 3rd round of the FA Cup to meet us there!)

COYR

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CB FRY LIVES says...
3:28pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Kelvin Davis has been a great pro for the club over the last few seasons.remember he nearly joined West Ham during our clubs darkest hour but chose to remain loyal to ST MARYS.He has already saved 2 penalties for us this season but his positional displays and distribution has often been lacking this season in the top flight.However he will be back and when called upon next he will no doubt give his 100 per cent as usual.

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saintand266 says...
4:03pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Respect to KD , he's been fantastic for us the part few seasons and don't forget he stayed loyal to us when he had offers to go elsewhere a few years ago , Im sure when he gets his chance again he will do a top job as will all the rest of the squad .

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Over the Edge says...
4:49pm Mon 24 Sep 12

I think this is the beginning of the end for Kelvin Davis, being dropped for Saturday would have hurt him like hell but signing another keeper after the game would surely tell him his days as 1st or even 2nd choice are over/numbered.

Gazzaniga did extremely well on his Premier League début, he didn't panic when in a one on one situation, plucked a few crosses out of the air and his distribution was quite good.

I'm Fox has finally found out by Nigel, half the crowd have known for a while, the same goes for Fonte, although better on Saturday he still worries me, hopefully Jos and Yoshi will be our 1st choice CB's from now on.

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GHamilton says...
5:04pm Mon 24 Sep 12

upwherewebelong wrote:
Having signed Boruc does that mean Gazzanigga will be dropped for Everton or will we stick with the same 11 that started against Villa? OR will Fox also be dropped as was it just me or did we look MUCH better without Fox
No, it's not just you. I felt that from the moment NA changed our defence at half time the whole team seemed to relax and play more freely. What i liked was htwe pushed their widemen wide...gave tem no time to settle and get their crosses in; something that Fox was not very good at.

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saintand266 says...
5:13pm Mon 24 Sep 12

GHamilton wrote:
upwherewebelong wrote:
Having signed Boruc does that mean Gazzanigga will be dropped for Everton or will we stick with the same 11 that started against Villa? OR will Fox also be dropped as was it just me or did we look MUCH better without Fox
No, it's not just you. I felt that from the moment NA changed our defence at half time the whole team seemed to relax and play more freely. What i liked was htwe pushed their widemen wide...gave tem no time to settle and get their crosses in; something that Fox was not very good at.
Agree the whole team looked more relaxed in the second half and clyne seemed a natural at left back although against everton with pienaar and baines pace on the left would think clyne would be a better choice at right back , but that's just my opinion and I don't pick the team unlike some people on here seem too !

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Allotment man 66 says...
5:35pm Mon 24 Sep 12

What I would like to know is where is Lee ???, is he still on the injury list or what?,we have a very fast player and we are not seeing him play and he's not even on the bench.

I agree a cracking game on Saturday and brilliant result and there is more to come.

Saints will live forever

C.O.Y.R.

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warrens 76 says...
8:42pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Mark my words he will come back and do us proud..brilliant human being, pro ans Saint.

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Optimist says...
9:45pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Championship team of the year GK last season. Seems some people rate him a bit higher than others.
No matter what if we ever face a penalty I want him in between the sticks, better % saves than Reina & Der Sar put together!

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City Saint says...
9:58pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Over the Edge wrote:
I think this is the beginning of the end for Kelvin Davis, being dropped for Saturday would have hurt him like hell but signing another keeper after the game would surely tell him his days as 1st or even 2nd choice are over/numbered. Gazzaniga did extremely well on his Premier League début, he didn't panic when in a one on one situation, plucked a few crosses out of the air and his distribution was quite good. I'm Fox has finally found out by Nigel, half the crowd have known for a while, the same goes for Fonte, although better on Saturday he still worries me, hopefully Jos and Yoshi will be our 1st choice CB's from now on.
best / most spot on post for ages.

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Terry_Nutkins says...
12:59am Tue 25 Sep 12

Is that Mimi Maguire watching us in the crowd?

Maybe she mistook the strip & thought we were Liverpool!! ;0)

Feel bad for Kelv cos he's a great penalty saver & shot stopper & his loyalty is commendable but he's awful at commanding his box & this total lack of confidence transpires to you defenders. Always been the same & probably why he was always fringe PL. Pains me to say it but his lack of conviction, total under confidence in kicking & receiving the ball & maintaining the momentum in counter attack is a real problem in the top flight. I'm unsure if the pressure is too much for him.

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MGRA says...
10:58am Tue 25 Sep 12

two very key changes, new keeper and 442 ( well more like 4411).... both very effective and both called for. Of course KD would act in a professional manner. He is a top guy and a great keeper.. I am sure we have not seen the last of KD this season.

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