Davies itching for his chance

CRAIG Davies refuses to dwell on past disappointments, preferring to look ahead to what promises to be an exciting finish to the season with Athletic.

The 23-year-old striker, last season’s 14-goal top scorer, has yet to open his account for the Boundary Park side during the current campaign.

Davies, back after a two-month loan spell at Stockport County, said: “It has been disappointing and a somewhat up-and-down season.

“When I was on loan at Stockport I scored goals and proved what I can do. I am just waiting for my chance here.”

Davies scored six times in 13 appearances for the Hatters and was pleased with his form.

He said: “I had a good spell at Stockport. The manager (Jim Gannon) had faith in me and played me a lot.

“It worked out well and it boosts your confidence when people have faith in you.”

Davies is convinced that if he continues to work hard the rewards will come for Athletic.

He said: “Things can change quickly in football, often in the matter of days.

“If I keep faith and work hard hopefully I will get my chance.

“If I have a good last three or four months of the season, then people will only be thinking of that and not the fact I was not playing at the start of the season.

“Let’s hope I can come good when it is needed at the most important time of the season.

“The team has done very well and are in a play-off place which we are aiming to maintain.
“If I can kick on with my game then hopefully I can help push the team on further.”

Davies maintains that Athletic are as good as any team in Coca- Cola League One, explaining that the 5-0 defeat at Hereford was a “freak” which occasionally happens to every team.

“I have not seen a team who are better than us. We have a strong squad and I believe our destiny is in our own hands,” he said.

Amazingly, four of Athletic’s five league defeats have come against bottom-eight teams, with Stockport the only leading club to beat them.

For all his optimism, Davies admits it will be a challenge to regain a starting spot as Athletic also have Lee Hughes, Dean Windass, Lewis Alessandra and Deane Smalley vying for places up front.

But he says he is learning every day from the vastly-experienced Hughes and Windass and is striving to improve his game.

He said: “I have my own strengths, but I also try to take bits from Lee and Dean and add it to my own game with the hope of making me a better player.

“I watch Lee in training and there is no better finisher than him.

“He doesn’t blast the ball but passes it into the goal.

“Dean has also had a word with me on a couple of occasions and given me a few pointers to improve my game which I have taken on board. I appreciate the advice he has given me.”