Fraser Forster’s absence will have knock-on effects for both the Southampton and England squads. But whereas Roy has Hart, Green and Butland all at his disposal, Ronald Koeman is left with Kelvin Davis between the sticks. Despite maintaining a clean sheet in a victory over top flight rivals Burnley when making his first appearance in over a year, the now 38-year-old’s weary limbs may take a lot of hammering in the close season with all eyes on his shot-stopping techniques to fire Saints’ way into a top four finish by his own fists. It looks like the gaffer is going to be sticking with the number 1.
Or not. After all, we’re counting down the matches until the campaign draws to an end. However, the £10m summer signing looks set to linger on the sidelines for up to 12 months. Boruc is currently engaged in his own top-half-table tussle, therefore leaving us with a limitation in goalkeeping options – the nativity in the youth of Paulo Gazzaniga and Cody Cropper leaving them to play understudy – might persuade Koeman to swap this wealth of experience for a wealth in the bank. Delving into the transfer window looks increasingly likely and I would strongly advise it. Perhaps having a point to prove will spur Davis to keep the managers mind at rest when it comes to conceding goals.
He’s used to being second-port-of-call but all needs to change. He – unlike Petr Cech at Chelsea who possibly saw himself in our bench ridden goalie and didn’t like what he saw in that end to a career understandably – has grown content in standing by as a Plan B (suggesting it is ‘not difficult’). Although there’s an element of professionalism in this attitude, it isn’t not what is required for a side pushing for a place in the Champions League. Understanding this, Davis looks to preserve a ‘supportive’ role when passing on his experience to the rest of his glove-bearing- comrades whilst stepping up to the plate of whom he believed to be ‘one of the best goalkeepers in the league.’
At present, let’s hope Davis can consistently produce Man of the Match worthy performances. A taste of the fans’ warm welcoming applaud – what he described as a ‘special moment’ – has clearly left our senior ‘keeper wanting more. Now all we can do as Saints’ faithful is continue this support as the 12th Man and and hope good results can come of it!
