Davies: 'Honest player'

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Bolton striker Kevin Davies has insisted he is an honest player after Sir Alex Ferguson voiced concerns over his style of play.

The Manchester United boss claimed Davies was a hatchet man before Bolton's mid-week trip to Old Trafford, which the Red Devils won.

But the big striker, who will again lead Bolton's line when they face Manchester City at the Reebok on Saturday, has hit back and strongly defended his style of play.

Davies told The Sun: "It's a man's game and I've taken many an elbow. I was disappointed by what was said. I like to think I play the game in the right way.

Honest player

"I'm an honest player and I've never gone out to hurt anyone intentionally. I take a few whacks myself but I brush myself down and get on with it."

Davies has been backed by his manager Gary Megson, who said the criticism of the big striker was unfair.

Megson said: "The criticism was unfair because he's a whole-hearted player.

"He puts in a great deal of effort. He's also a big lad and all of those things together mean he's going to commit a few fouls.

Isn't dirty

"But he also gets fouled a lot. The things said about him were unfair. He's an honest player and isn't dirty.

"Somebody ran a poll saying he had committed most fouls in the Premier League. Well, second was Alan Smith and he used to play for Manchester United not so long ago."

Some observers have questioned Bolton's decision to sell Nicolas Anelka to Chelsea for £15million, given their perilous league position.

But Megson hit back, saying: "When I arrived Nic had scored five or six goals and we were bottom of the table, one point behind Derby. So it doesn't follow that if he had stayed, we would have done better.

"I see there's criticism of Nic that he's not scoring goals at Chelsea. Yet, we're being asked why did we let him go. You can't have it both ways."