After netting a brace against Sunderland last weekend,
Simon Davies is certainly back to his best and enjoying his return to Mark Hughes’ starting eleven.
Since his return against Wolves, Simon Davies has played an integral role in the Club’s recent impressive run of form, as Mark Hughes’ Team picked up seven points from their last three Premier League encounters.
Davies’ brace against Sunderland last weekend guaranteed the Club’s position in the Premier League next season, the Club’s 11th successive season in the top flight. The Welshman has had to be remain patient in recent times following a spell on the sidelines but is back in confident mood after overcoming a recent injury worry.
“I think I may have gone over on my ankle in training and it was nothing serious at the time,” Davies explained. “When I started to feel it, I had injections. But when you’re not feeling your best, you’re not likely to play at your best – and it started to affect my confidence and I got left out. I got another opportunity because of Damien’s (Duff) injury – and in any season these things happen. My ankle might give me more problems – but right now its fine and I feel good."
Fulham face Liverpool at the Cottage on Monday night and whilst the Reds will arrive in SW6 in confident mood, Davies believes Mark Hughes’ attacking approach at home could deliver another memorable performance and result for the Fulham faithful.
“He (Hughes) knew he had the nucleus of a good side,” said Davies. “Our shape under Roy was set up to wait for things to happen, but with the manager now, especially at home, we’re more geared up to go and attack sides.
“The players have taken to the manager because they get clear instructions about their roles and the rewards have shown themselves. Liverpool are playing with a lot of confidence – but so are we. We’ll give them a really good game on Monday night.”
The Cottage has become something of a fortress for Fulham in recent seasons, with some impressive domestic and European scalps taken on the banks of the Thames over the past few years. Davies has been at the forefront of many such memorable moments and the Welshman offered an insight into some of the unique characteristics and challenges the Cottage presents to opposing teams.
“I played at the Cottage before I joined the club, and it was always very compact with everyone on top of you,” Davies explained. “When you take a corner you have to run up a hill in a short space, which is tricky for a right-footed player like me aiming to in-swing it, and that’s quite different to working on deliveries at the training ground. Of course, we’re used to it and use it to our advantage, and teams coming knowing our reputation is good at home.”