Davis now ready to move into top gear

International

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The real Steve Davis is back. And the man who is happier than most about that is Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington.

The 2008 version of the Cullybackey-born midfielder is performing much better than the 2007 model - partly thanks to a loan move to Rangers in January - and he will enter tonight's friendly with Georgia at Windsor Park on the back of his best performance yet for Worthington.

Davis only played the second-half of the 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria last month when he was omitted from the starting line-up for the first time since establishing himself in the international team, but that isn't likely to happen again in the near future.

"I spoke to Steve after he played the second-half against Bulgaria and said to him that was the Steve Davis I knew who came into the Aston Villa side as a young boy," said Worthington.

And the Northern Ireland boss should know as it was against his Norwich City side that Davis made his Premier League debut as a substitute back in October 2004.

"He has carried on that performance level at Rangers and that suggest to me that he is enjoying his football and he's enjoying his work," he added.

"Maybe a young player sometimes, when they break into the team and peak early on they have a little downward spiral.

"I think that has happened to Steve in his performance level, but great credit to him, he has been rejuvenated with a very, very nice loan move to Rangers and to be fair to him he's making the most of it.

"What I am looking for from him against Georgia is the same level of performance, that high level that I know he can play and that 45 minutes against Bulgaria was his best 45 minutes football for me since I took the job."

Worthington will now hope that Davis continues to perform at that level all the way to the World Cup qualifiers, which begin with a trip to Slovakia in September.

And when those games start it will be no more Mr Nice Guy from the Northern Ireland boss.

He admits to being single minded in terms of players being called up for international squad when in charge of Norwich City.

Indeed he came in for some criticism from Northern Ireland fans who regularly saw Canaries players Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh withdraw from international games.

Now that he is on the other side Worthington will use the rules to their utmost advantage.

"I think it's only right and proper that I apply the five-day rule," he said.

That rule prevents players from appearing for their club sides the weekend after an international if they have pulled out injured.

"When I was manager of Norwich the rule wasn't there, I used the rule not being there to Norwich City's advantage and there is nothing wrong with that," he added.

"The rule is now there, I am in position and I will apply the five day rule in all circumstances for the qualifying games that are coming upon us."

And that is when Worthington will look to get back on a winning track, with Northern Ireland's record in friendlies - and competitive away games - not being particularly impressive.

Tonight's game with the Georgians - the first time the countries have met at senior level - is important in terms of build-up to that trip to Slovakia, but ultimately the result won't matter and will be forgotten by the time September comes.

"I like to win games, the friendly situation is a bit like the away performances," said Worthington.

"We are trying to put things right, we're trying to work on those things.

"If it meant me losing one or two friendlies to get a good kick-off in the World Cup qualifiers in September and so on I would forego that, but I think to get in the mental side of winning games of football is most important."