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Player Watch Player Watch: Ben Davies

nedley

John Duncan's Love Child
Jul 28, 2006
13,941
28,069
I've been Davies biggest critic.For me he looks a totally different player than of previous years.

He played well last season but always looked like a player that was there to fill in rather than challenge for the shirt. For me he's always lacked confidence, looking hesitant and always playing it safe.

This season I'm seeing a totally different player to be honest and he's been hugely impressive. It's like he's been told he's the number 1 left back and has started to really believe in himself. He's been so effective going forward and has been unlucky not to have been involved in more goals.
 

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
2,926
8,490
He's better than he ever was, but he did have a very good 15/16 season. Think his struggles last season had quite a bit to to with him coming back from injury and then needing some time to find his groove.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
I always said he needed a run of games and criticism of him when he came into the team was harsh. I think that was based on the high standard of performance Danny Rose had put in so it's not really a criticism of anyone.
 

kmk

Well-Known Member
Oct 5, 2014
4,145
27,500
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...chettino-danny-rose-out-picture-a7977071.html

Ben Davies flourishing under Mauricio Pochettino's magic touch to push Danny Rose further out of thought

The Welshman's time at Spurs since arriving from Swansea in 2014 has been slightly frustrating but the youngster is finally reaping the rewards after
years of patience


When Danny Rose gave an interview a few days before the start of the season, making clear that there was life outside Tottenham and he wouldn't hesitate in moving should it benefit him, it was widely agreed that he had a point, but the timing was bad. At that stage, most people meant bad timing for Tottenham, it coming about 48 hours before their first game and a few weeks after Kyle Walker was sold to Manchester City. As it turns out, the timing was worse for Rose.

If you're going make grand statements you know will upset people, the best time to do so is when you're in the form of your life, indispensable to your current team and wildly attractive to others. Rose, who subsequently apologised and found his August pay packet a little lighter, was injured at the time, and indeed remains injured. He hasn't played a minute for Spurs this season and when Mauricio Pochettino was last asked, he was reluctant to set a date for his return. Not that, even if Rose was fit, he would walk back into the side at the moment.

And the reason for that is Ben Davies. The Welshman's time at Spurs since arriving from Swansea in 2014 has been slightly frustrating, having made 41 league starts in the three seasons before this one. Davies has broadly been limited to cameos as cover and cup games. Before Rose was injured in January, Davies's longest run of consecutive league starts was four.

But this term he has missed just one game, and if it's possible for a team like Spurs to have an unsung hero, he is it. So far this season, they haven't missed Rose, who was the best left-back in the Premier League last season.

In the 4-0 against Huddersfield Davies was a constant threat, and while it helped that the opposition was perhaps not what you'd call menacing, a lot of Tottenham's game-plan involved attacking down the left. He made smart runs and put in some fine crosses, and if you worried that Spurs would miss Rose's relentless work rate, Davies’ general match contribution was summed up in the closing minutes when he provided Moussa Sissoko with the assist for Tottenham’s fourth.

His goal was a combination of attacking anticipation, to be in the right place to capitalise on a defensive error, and delicate finishing, dinking the ball over an onrushing goalkeeper. But his creativity elsewhere stood out: as well as the assist for Sissoko's goal, he swung over a brilliant cross that Harry Kane volleyed home, albeit from an offside position. No defender in the Premier League has created more chances this season.

After the game Pochettino fielded the expected and understandable questions about Kane, but it was interesting that when someone asked about Christian Eriksen, he quickly turned the attention elsewhere. “I think today that if we talk about one player other than Harry Kane it's Ben Davies,” he said. “Sometimes we have to be honest and recognise some players that aren't the focus.”

Pochettino has improved plenty of players in his time at Spurs, but he seems to have a particular talent for full-back whispering. Rose and Walker were turned from talented but inconsistent attacking defenders into a crack pair who could play in at least two different positions at the same time. Now, Kieran Trippier's improvement was at least part of the reason Spurs were happy to sell Walker, and Davies could keep Rose out of the team.

“He was so young when I arrived,” said Pochettino. “He was working so hard to make his moment, and always being professional. That is why his teammates, the club, everyone is so proud of him.

“In the last three seasons he was so important for the team. For me he is one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Today he showed a fantastic performance. Defensively and attacking, because he scored and gave an assist. His energy is fantastic.”

That last part is perhaps key. In Pochettino's sides, you get nowhere without energy. And you can't play wing-back without it either. It's probably worth noting that's a relatively unfamiliar position for Davies too: he tends to play in a back three for Wales, but until Spurs adopted that formation more regularly last season, wing-back wasn't a role he filled very often. You wouldn't think that from watching him of late.

For all the outstanding individuals Tottenham have, their strength is as a collective, a frantically undulating group of players who move as one. “Their understanding,” said Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy, when asked what the hardest thing about facing Spurs was. “They all know exactly what they're doing. Where to move, where the space is. They've very sharp in the way they think.” That was Rose, and might be again, but for the moment it's Davies.

Being a fringe player at Tottenham must be a difficult business. You have to fully integrate yourself into the system, but to do that you have to spend plenty of time in the team, which isn't always possible because the first-choice players are so good. You might have to wait for an injury to get enough of a run in the side. Davies waited, and waited, and now he's been given a chance, he's taking it.
 

Streetspur77

Happy Clapper
Jul 20, 2017
2,792
9,404
Whilst Davies deserves credit for his improvement obviously, I also think poch has had a big hand to play in this

There's something with poch and fullbacks, he can turn a rather average fullback into a world beater as he has done it so many times. Shaw,clyne,walker,rose,tripps and now Davies were all quite average before poch and now all arguably on another level

He is a special, special manager

EDIT: didn't see the article above when I posted
 
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theShiznit

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2004
17,800
23,813
Whilst Davies deserves credit for his improvement obviously, I also think poch has had a big hand to play in this

There's something with poch and fullbacks, he can turn a rather average fullback into a world beater as he has done it so many times. Shaw,clyne,walker,rose,tripps and now Davies were all quite average before poch and now all arguably on another level

He is a special, special manager
Even Bentaleb had his best game for us at LB, that's real fullback magic...


Speaking of (in that Telegraph article) No song for Ben Davies.

What about this (to the Adam Ant: Prince Charming tune)
Ben Davies. Ben Davies... Danny Rose has no need to be Googling. :p
 
Last edited:

walton

Well-Known Member
Feb 28, 2006
3,162
4,963
Davies has definitely stepped up to the plate since Rose's injury. He's currently playing as well as any Left Back in the country.

This. I love his attitude. He (as far as we know) has never grumbled about the roration Poch employs, and was certainly in Rose's shadow last year. Now he has been given a chance at an extended run and has taken it with both hands. Top pro. As has been mentioned, there's no way Rose should walk back in as first choice LB when he returns.
 

Flashspur

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2012
6,882
9,068
He was a shadow of a player 2 seasons ago to what he is now. He is quicker, leaner, smarter and more adventurous. A complete transformation. If he keeps improving like this, we’ll have another potential world class fb on our hands.
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
21,905
78,640
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...chettino-danny-rose-out-picture-a7977071.html

Ben Davies flourishing under Mauricio Pochettino's magic touch to push Danny Rose further out of thought

The Welshman's time at Spurs since arriving from Swansea in 2014 has been slightly frustrating but the youngster is finally reaping the rewards after
years of patience


When Danny Rose gave an interview a few days before the start of the season, making clear that there was life outside Tottenham and he wouldn't hesitate in moving should it benefit him, it was widely agreed that he had a point, but the timing was bad. At that stage, most people meant bad timing for Tottenham, it coming about 48 hours before their first game and a few weeks after Kyle Walker was sold to Manchester City. As it turns out, the timing was worse for Rose.

If you're going make grand statements you know will upset people, the best time to do so is when you're in the form of your life, indispensable to your current team and wildly attractive to others. Rose, who subsequently apologised and found his August pay packet a little lighter, was injured at the time, and indeed remains injured. He hasn't played a minute for Spurs this season and when Mauricio Pochettino was last asked, he was reluctant to set a date for his return. Not that, even if Rose was fit, he would walk back into the side at the moment.

And the reason for that is Ben Davies. The Welshman's time at Spurs since arriving from Swansea in 2014 has been slightly frustrating, having made 41 league starts in the three seasons before this one. Davies has broadly been limited to cameos as cover and cup games. Before Rose was injured in January, Davies's longest run of consecutive league starts was four.

But this term he has missed just one game, and if it's possible for a team like Spurs to have an unsung hero, he is it. So far this season, they haven't missed Rose, who was the best left-back in the Premier League last season.

In the 4-0 against Huddersfield Davies was a constant threat, and while it helped that the opposition was perhaps not what you'd call menacing, a lot of Tottenham's game-plan involved attacking down the left. He made smart runs and put in some fine crosses, and if you worried that Spurs would miss Rose's relentless work rate, Davies’ general match contribution was summed up in the closing minutes when he provided Moussa Sissoko with the assist for Tottenham’s fourth.

His goal was a combination of attacking anticipation, to be in the right place to capitalise on a defensive error, and delicate finishing, dinking the ball over an onrushing goalkeeper. But his creativity elsewhere stood out: as well as the assist for Sissoko's goal, he swung over a brilliant cross that Harry Kane volleyed home, albeit from an offside position. No defender in the Premier League has created more chances this season.

After the game Pochettino fielded the expected and understandable questions about Kane, but it was interesting that when someone asked about Christian Eriksen, he quickly turned the attention elsewhere. “I think today that if we talk about one player other than Harry Kane it's Ben Davies,” he said. “Sometimes we have to be honest and recognise some players that aren't the focus.”

Pochettino has improved plenty of players in his time at Spurs, but he seems to have a particular talent for full-back whispering. Rose and Walker were turned from talented but inconsistent attacking defenders into a crack pair who could play in at least two different positions at the same time. Now, Kieran Trippier's improvement was at least part of the reason Spurs were happy to sell Walker, and Davies could keep Rose out of the team.

“He was so young when I arrived,” said Pochettino. “He was working so hard to make his moment, and always being professional. That is why his teammates, the club, everyone is so proud of him.

“In the last three seasons he was so important for the team. For me he is one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Today he showed a fantastic performance. Defensively and attacking, because he scored and gave an assist. His energy is fantastic.”

That last part is perhaps key. In Pochettino's sides, you get nowhere without energy. And you can't play wing-back without it either. It's probably worth noting that's a relatively unfamiliar position for Davies too: he tends to play in a back three for Wales, but until Spurs adopted that formation more regularly last season, wing-back wasn't a role he filled very often. You wouldn't think that from watching him of late.

For all the outstanding individuals Tottenham have, their strength is as a collective, a frantically undulating group of players who move as one. “Their understanding,” said Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy, when asked what the hardest thing about facing Spurs was. “They all know exactly what they're doing. Where to move, where the space is. They've very sharp in the way they think.” That was Rose, and might be again, but for the moment it's Davies.

Being a fringe player at Tottenham must be a difficult business. You have to fully integrate yourself into the system, but to do that you have to spend plenty of time in the team, which isn't always possible because the first-choice players are so good. You might have to wait for an injury to get enough of a run in the side. Davies waited, and waited, and now he's been given a chance, he's taking it.
These quotes really stand out for me and why we should always be patient with all of our new players. I think once these new players get on the same wavelength as the rest of the players it enhances them and they too become part of the well oiled machine. Makes me excited with regards to Aurier and very hopeful for N'Koudou, as Davies and Sissoko are proving this right now.
 

Dharmabum

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2003
8,274
12,242
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...chettino-danny-rose-out-picture-a7977071.html

Ben Davies flourishing under Mauricio Pochettino's magic touch to push Danny Rose further out of thought
The Welshman's time at Spurs since arriving from Swansea in 2014 has been slightly frustrating but the youngster is finally reaping the rewards after years of patience



When Danny Rose gave an interview a few days before the start of the season, making clear that there was life outside Tottenham and he wouldn't hesitate in moving should it benefit him, it was widely agreed that he had a point, but the timing was bad. At that stage, most people meant bad timing for Tottenham, it coming about 48 hours before their first game and a few weeks after Kyle Walkerwas sold to Manchester City. As it turns out, the timing was worse for Rose.

If you're going make grand statements you know will upset people, the best time to do so is when you're in the form of your life, indispensable to your current team and wildly attractive to others. Rose, who subsequently apologised and found his August pay packet a little lighter, was injured at the time, and indeed remains injured. He hasn't played a minute for Spurs this season and when Mauricio Pochettino was last asked, he was reluctant to set a date for his return. Not that, even if Rose was fit, he would walk back into the side at the moment.

And the reason for that is Ben Davies. The Welshman's time at Spurs since arriving from Swansea in 2014 has been slightly frustrating, having made 41 league starts in the three seasons before this one. Davies has broadly been limited to cameos as cover and cup games. Before Rose was injured in January, Davies's longest run of consecutive league starts was four.

But this term he has missed just one game, and if it's possible for a team like Spurs to have an unsung hero, he is it. So far this season, they haven't missed Rose, who was the best left-back in the Premier League last season.

In the 4-0 against Huddersfield Davies was a constant threat, and while it helped that the opposition was perhaps not what you'd call menacing, a lot of Tottenham's game-plan involved attacking down the left. He made smart runs and put in some fine crosses, and if you worried that Spurs would miss Rose's relentless work rate, Davies’ general match contribution was summed up in the closing minutes when he provided Moussa Sissoko with the assist for Tottenham’s fourth.

His goal was a combination of attacking anticipation, to be in the right place to capitalise on a defensive error, and delicate finishing, dinking the ball over an onrushing goalkeeper. But his creativity elsewhere stood out: as well as the assist for Sissoko's goal, he swung over a brilliant cross that Harry Kane volleyed home, albeit from an offside position. No defender in the Premier League has created more chances this season.

After the game Pochettino fielded the expected and understandable questions about Kane, but it was interesting that when someone asked about Christian Eriksen, he quickly turned the attention elsewhere. “I think today that if we talk about one player other than Harry Kane it's Ben Davies,” he said. “Sometimes we have to be honest and recognise some players that aren't the focus.”

Pochettino has improved plenty of players in his time at Spurs, but he seems to have a particular talent for full-back whispering. Rose and Walker were turned from talented but inconsistent attacking defenders into a crack pair who could play in at least two different positions at the same time. Now, Kieran Trippier's improvement was at least part of the reason Spurs were happy to sell Walker, and Davies could keep Rose out of the team.

“He was so young when I arrived,” said Pochettino. “He was working so hard to make his moment, and always being professional. That is why his teammates, the club, everyone is so proud of him.

“In the last three seasons he was so important for the team. For me he is one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Today he showed a fantastic performance. Defensively and attacking, because he scored and gave an assist. His energy is fantastic.”

That last part is perhaps key. In Pochettino's sides, you get nowhere without energy. And you can't play wing-back without it either. It's probably worth noting that's a relatively unfamiliar position for Davies too: he tends to play in a back three for Wales, but until Spurs adopted that formation more regularly last season, wing-back wasn't a role he filled very often. You wouldn't think that from watching him of late.

For all the outstanding individuals Tottenham have, their strength is as a collective, a frantically undulating group of players who move as one. “Their understanding,” said Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy, when asked what the hardest thing about facing Spurs was. “They all know exactly what they're doing. Where to move, where the space is. They've very sharp in the way they think.” That was Rose, and might be again, but for the moment it's Davies.

Being a fringe player at Tottenham must be a difficult business. You have to fully integrate yourself into the system, but to do that you have to spend plenty of time in the team, which isn't always possible because the first-choice players are so good. You might have to wait for an injury to get enough of a run in the side. Davies waited, and waited, and now he's been given a chance, he's taking it.
 

DCSPUR

Well-Known Member
Apr 15, 2005
3,918
5,415
Generally a good article...the only quibble is that Rose has been out since Jan and we finished 2nd last season with Ben playing the majority of games
 

Dharmabum

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2003
8,274
12,242
http://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/ben-davies-gareth-bale-kane-13704216

Ben Davies on his own weaknesses and the similarities between Harry Kane and Gareth Bale
The Welshman spoke after another fine performance in Spurs' win at Huddersfield

Ben Davies is in the form of his life for Tottenham Hotspur, but he still believes there's plenty more to come as he works on his game.

The 24-year-old Spurs left-back has improved with every passing month since Danny Rose's knee injury in January and the Wales international has now added creativity to his skill-set in the wing-back role, contributing two goals and two assists in his six Premier League matches so far.

With Rose not expected back quite yet after his nine month lay-off, Davies has more time to impress and his key role in the third-placed team's attacking play will hand Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino a difficult decision when the England defender does return.

"I think in that wing-back position you’re going to get into situations where you’re going to create chances, and in the last few games it’s come off, more than anything," explained Davies.

"I don’t think a strong part of my game is running at people, taking them on one v one. But you’ve got to try your best every time you get in. You’ve got to try to get past your man, or even if it’s just creating half a yard to be able to put a decent ball in, that’s football really.

"I think because the results are showing, the assists and goals that has happened for me, but overall it’s something I’m always looking to improve and always looking to better, and it’s nice to see it paying off."

When asked whether Pochettino had spoken with him about his game in recent month, Davies said: “No nothing drastic, nothing major. He said ‘if you get those opportunities like you have this year – I’ve received the ball when we’ve had a lot of good possibilities – and when you put the ball in for somebody like Harry [Kane] up top and you can see the goals he’s getting, it makes it easy for you’."

football.london asked Davies if he can see similarities in the development of Kane and his international team-mate Gareth Bale.

“They’re totally different players. Harry’s an out-and-out goalscorer and Gaz is a bit of a winger. But in terms of development it’s relatively similar," he admitted.

"I think Harry’s all about goals and if he keeps getting the goals like he does then people have to stand up and take notice. For us as a team, to have somebody like him up top, knowing that if we get a chance then nine times out of 10 it ends up in the back of net, it’s an amazing feeling."

Bale will take on his old club next month in the Champions League when Spurs and Real Madrid clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. Davies admits the two will probably chat about the game when they meet up for international duty this week.

"I would have thought so. For us now it’s all about the Wales games coming up, but I’m sure we’ll have a chat about it," he said.

So does the Spurs man know what it's like to face Bale in training for the national side?

He revealed: “We tend to do a bit of team shape so he’s on my side, so that’s a bit of a blessing.”

The two players will come up against each other next month, but for now this coming week at least they are team-mates.
 

Danny1

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2006
5,622
17,169
I think people forget that Davies is still relatively young, he has played a lot of football but only turned 24 this year. He has his best years to come and is playing under a manager that clearly trusts him & has taught him an awful lot. If you compare Davies now, to when Rose & Walker were 24, he is probably the best of all 3.

Im really happy for him & you can see he loves playing for us! Keep it up Ben, proud to have you with us!
 

JUSTINSIGNAL

Well-Known Member
Jul 10, 2008
15,980
48,499
These quotes really stand out for me and why we should always be patient with all of our new players.

Your in the wrong forum if you think that's gonna happen here. It's only a few months ago that people in here were saying Davies has NEVER had a good match for us and that he is a mid table team player at best :D
 

agrdavidsfan

Ledley's Knee!
Aug 25, 2005
10,918
13,352
I've always said that I thought his best position would be as a CM. He's so comfortable on the ball and has great range of passing. Could he do a Gareth Barry like transformation?

It's weird unlike most of you on here I have had the benefit of watching Ben from when he was really young, only time I really missed a bit of his development was when his Dad moved to Denmark for work and took Ben with to continue his football out there but he was actually a left winger or defensive midfielder I believe early on I can certainly remember him play for the swans youth in centre mid. Also had the benefit of watching him for the Wales u-19's at a shocking level up close and one thing that has always really struct me with him is his awareness of his weaknesses the game is in his head not his phsyical ability which to me signals he will only ever get better.

But the Gareth Barry comparison somebody has made is a very interestng one, Barry is similar in that he's not the quickest he's not the strongest but he's good at everything all round. Jack of all trades but master of none. Did barry not also play a bit at centre half?.

I believe playing at left centre back has only really further developed Ben, to be honest he's probably the most consistent player for Wales, But I actually think after watching him closely over the years he should really be considered for a role in the Welsh team as a DM as our Midfield options are awful when Ramsey or Ledley or Allen are out. Obviously for Spurs I am quite happy for him to stay where he is as this year he's been out of this world he's so much more intelligent than Rose, Rose relies on his pace and strength to get him out of situations Davies does not he's always cool,calm and composed.

If he had Rose is pace we would be looking at something special.
 

agrdavidsfan

Ledley's Knee!
Aug 25, 2005
10,918
13,352
I've been Davies biggest critic.For me he looks a totally different player than of previous years.

He played well last season but always looked like a player that was there to fill in rather than challenge for the shirt. For me he's always lacked confidence, looking hesitant and always playing it safe.

This season I'm seeing a totally different player to be honest and he's been hugely impressive. It's like he's been told he's the number 1 left back and has started to really believe in himself. He's been so effective going forward and has been unlucky not to have been involved in more goals.

I think he's greatly improved from minutes he's got his match fitness levels right up, he also benefited from the experience in the euro's got his confidence right up.

Some players need to play every match it's weird but it makes the game become habitual for them they need rhythm. We have had a few over the years who are like this.
 
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