Davies Up For The Challenge

By Mark Heys
August 9 2005

Kevin Davies has stated that he is more than ready to take on the extra challenges which will face Bolton Wanderers in the new season.

The 28-year old begins his third season with the club this weekend, having been signed from obscurity two summers ago following an indifferent period with Southampton.

He has enjoyed his time with the club thus far and is relishing the prospect of obtaining even further success with the Wanderers over the next nine months, by excelling in both the Premiership and the UEFA Cup.

Davies knows that it will be hard to repeat the achievements of the last two seasons, but he remains optimistic and is more than ready to roll up his sleeves and work to achieve a similar goal.

"We face a busy season but you relish playing in all these games. A couple of years ago I might not have been here so I enjoy every one of them. Bolton changed my career. I've had some great times here already and now we've got Europe as well.

"We need a few more players to strengthen the squad and I'm sure the gaffer is working on it.

"But this is the position we want to be in. We worked all last season to play in Europe and we're looking forward to it as well as doing well in the Premiership again. We've got some testing matches but I can't wait for the season to start.

"We surprised a lot of people last season but we surprised ourselves as well. We sat down at the start and said it would be difficult to improve on eighth but we did it and deserved it. The lads worked hard for each other.

"The Premiership is No 1 for us and we want to be up there again at the end of the season. We've got a taste for it now."

The ex-Blackburn Rovers player will be leading the Bolton attack for this weekend's Premiership opener against Aston Villa at Villa Park.