Kevin Campbell impressed by ‘Excellent’ Tom Davies form – Everton Exclusive
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Toffees midfielder Tom Davies has stepped up his form in recent weeks, according to former Everton striker Kevin Campbell.
Davies, 22, has been in and out of Carlo Ancelotti’s starting line-up in the Premier League this season but the midfielder was handed his eighth league start of the campaign in the 3-3 draw with Manchester United last week.
With Allan not starting, Davies had a big job on his hands to keep the likes of Bruno Fernandes quiet and while Man United scored three times, the Merseyside-born ace managed to do well and catch the eye of Campbell.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Campbell said: “They’ve got players who can propel them to have a go and it was a really good point in the end and there were some good performances – none better than Tom Davies,”
“I thought he was excellent and I’ve said it in the past that when the likes of Allan doesn’t play, players have to step up. Whoever comes in has to step up.
“I really think Tom Davies has stepped up in the last few games.”
Davies has made 18 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees this season.
According to stats by WhoScored, he’s completed 81.9 per cent of his passes, which is hardly among the best in the squad, ranking him 17th overall.
Davies does, however, rank joint-second in the Blues’ squad for interceptions per game [1.5] and is only dribbled past 0.8 times per match, which is way better than Allan, who’s beaten 2.5 times per league game.
Allan does average more tackles [3.4] than Davies [1.2] but it’s clear that both players have different strengths and weaknesses and can each offer something different to the base of Ancelotti’s midfield.
We like Davies. He’s a Liverpool-born lad who risen through the ranks with both us and the England youth teams.
He’s had a lot of criticism in recent years but under Ancelotti’ there’s definitely been a big improvement and we hope it continues.
In other Everton news, Ancelotti is demanding more from his players against Fulham.