Hungry Davidson steps up chase for Baggies spot

Asian Cup winner Jason Davidson is hoping to catch the eye of new West Bromwich Albion coach Tony Pulis and make a late run at a starting spot for the Baggies after excelling for his country in January.

Australia's Jason Davidson,

Australia's Jason Davidson in action during the Asian Cup (AP) Source: AP

Australia’s left-back last played for Albion in a 2-1 League Cup loss to Bournemouth in October, but has returned to England brimming with belief and confidence after emerging once again as Ange Postecoglou’s first choice.

He now has another battle on his hands: to convince survival specialist Pulis, who replaced the sacked Allan Irvine in December, to place his faith in him.

“My target is to work hard and break my way into the team – but I know it won’t be easy," said Davidson, who has not yet featured in a Pulis squad after returning to England late last week.

“It’s been six months where I haven’t been playing, and I’ll do everything I can to get an opportunity.

“But, in saying that, if I need to go out on loan to get some game time – I’d embrace that also because I want to keep playing now.

“The boss has played a few different players at left-back and maybe hasn’t been so happy, so hopefully I can give him a reason to give me a chance and then it’s up to me to grab it.

“I’m 23, and it’s all about playing now, working hard and developing. The last six months hasn’t been a backward step because I have been growing as a player – but now it’s time to start playing, wherever that may be.

“I need to show the coach what I can do, just like I’ve been doing with the national team.”

Davidson’s position is currently being filled by centre-back Joleon Lescott, utility man Chris Baird, or winger-cum-midfielder Chris Brunt.

Should he fail to win Pulis over then the window is now open for emergency loans to clubs in the Championship.

“That’s a possibility,” he added. “But we’ll play it by ear. It’s a new gaffer and a new opportunity and I need to see where I stand. Time will tell.”

Davidson has already seen a difference under Pulis, who has steered Albion to 14th on the table, explaining: “I only met him for the first time last Thursday and even though he’s a tough coach – I like the way he thinks.

“He has brought in discipline and infrastructure, he has rules where before maybe it was a bit laidback and people could do what they want. But he has come in and has got everybody on their tippy toes.

“He is a big name in English football after what he achieved at Stoke and Crystal Palace and people respect him.

"It’s like an army unit – everything is done by the book and it's quite regimented. But that’s a good thing. He knows what he's doing and his history does the talking for him."
Davidson helped make a little history himself with the national team, adding: “For Australian football winning the Asian Cup was a major step forward.

“We have achieved a lot in short period of time and we're doing our bit to help the game keep growing back home.

“Ange, from day one, always believed and knew we’d do well – obviously we had a lot of critics because we hadn’t won a lot of games pre-tournament, but the game plan was always to win the Asian Cup.

"We were the fittest and strongest team and the way Ange rotated the players - especially in the group stages – really benefited us.

"Japan, for example, stuck with the same players right through and when they got to the quarter-finals they were out of battery.

"I came into camp with the right mindset, even though I hadn't been playing for my club. I worked hard and I knew I could do my talking on the pitch.

"I didn’t get picked for the first game – but every time Ange has given me an opportunity I’ve grabbed it.

“From the quarter-finals onwards I played each match and I think I did well.”

Davidson has always backed himself, no matter what the circumstances, adding: "I put in a lot of extra work to make sure I came into the tournament in peak condition, and the public doesn’t see that.

"Being in the Premier League – it’s not a Micky Mouse league and although I hadn't been playing the training was first class.

"I was just happy to show people, back in Australia, especially: ‘Hey listen, although it hasn’t been the greatest of six months [since joining Albion for Dutch side Heracles], I am still here and I am still fighting for my position.'"

Davidson reckons Australia can continue to excel as it looks forward to a new FIFA World Cup-qualifying cycle.

"It’s been hard to fill the shoes of the golden generation but people need to give us some time," he said.

"Most of the squad now are in their early to mid-20s and to win an Asian Cup at such an early age just shows the potential we have.

"We need to keep going in the right direction, and knowing Ange he won’t get complacent and will try to keep pushing the group to go one better."

 


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5 min read
Published 12 February 2015 7:24pm
Updated 12 February 2015 8:55pm
By David Lewis
Source: SBS

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