Hard but fair
Last updated: 27th April 2008
Davies: unfair reputation
Somewhere down the line I think it is going to be a non-tackling game, which is a joke. Tackling is part of the game I really enjoy.
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Bolton did their hopes of avoiding the drop no harm with a credible 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, however Davies believes that their bad start to the season did them no favours.
"It's been a hard season, it did not start particularly well and it has been difficult for us to catch up," said Davies on Goals on Sunday.
"We have been playing catch-up all season. When you have start like we did, it is always going to be hard to catch up with everyone else."
Davies, who has been out of action for several weeks due to injury and a suspension also said that managerial upheaval has not been too disruptive.
"He [Gary Megson] has come in and played the same sort of formation. I just think the start we had was terrible.
"The confidence was obviously dropping and we just needed that little bit of luck to get that win. The win came at West Ham and it gave everyone a massive lift."
Publicity on the way Davies has played the game has not been exactly glowing, especially with Sir Alex Ferguson calling him the Premier Leagues dirtiest player.
"It has disappointed me a bit," admitted Davies.
"When we played Manchester United Fergie accused me of bullying and things like that. I like to play hard but fair. I never intentionally go out to hurt anybody.
"At Old Trafford I felt I could not go into the tackle like I wanted to, I felt I would get into trouble if I mistimed it slightly. I guess the psychology worked as I felt that the spotlight was on me.
"I pick up a fair bit of yellows, but the way I play the game you are going to, but my record for red cards and dangerous play is not that bad.
"Somewhere down the line I think it is going to be a non-tackling game, which is a joke. Tackling is part of the game I really enjoy. After the game, you shake the centre halves hand and say good game, good battle."
Peter Reid, who has had some yellow cards himself, believes that the fans love a good tackle.
"We don't like over the top and malicious and vicious tackles, but a good honest tackle is part of the game, and the lads on the terraces like them.
He [Davies] is a physical player, he holds them up and causes the defenders problems and let's not forget that football is a physical game. It is part and parcel of it.
