Match of the Day pundits single out Ben Davies for praise after performance in Tottenham win v Nottingham Forest
Ben Davies produced his latest best display of the season as Tottenham ran out 2-0 winners at Nottingham Forest on Friday (15 December).
The versatile defender has really stepped up in recent weeks to help fill the voids of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero at differing points.
In the win at City Ground, Davies led the way for aerial duels won (five), touches (118) and clearances (six) among Spurs players [WhoScored].
Not only did the Wales international stand out defensively, he also registered a shot and was one of four Spurs players to register a dribble.
“If you’re a centre-half, you want to make an impact in both boxes,” Shay Given said on BBC’s Match of the Day [16 December, 1hr 11m 34s].
“You want to attack set-plays and defend set-plays. Davies keeps a really good line at the back and heads it clear.
“People will look at it and go ‘it’s basics’, but when you’re in this position it’s not always that straightforward.”
In a two-goal win for Tottenham in which Dejan Kulusevski scored one and assisted another, Davies’ performance was still highlighted for praise.
Davies had matched his season best in terms of aerials won in the 4-1 win over Newcastle United (four), only to then better it versus Forest (five) [WhoScored].
The 30-year-old’s six clearances against Forest was also his best tally of the campaign, while his 102 passes were a joint-best.
That all points towards Davies getting better and better as the season goes on, which is welcome and unexpected in equal measure.
“He’s got the mentality you love as a manager because he doesn’t play all the time,” Murphy added on Match of the Day.
“When he’s called upon he’s ready and never complains. He’s a very intelligent footballer.
“They’ve got [Destiny] Udogie missing, Van de Ven’s out – he’s got a huge role to play for Spurs.”
Whether it is at left-back or centre-back, Davies is proving to be the man for any occasion and is a key part of Ange Postecoglou’s system.
Of those 102 passes against Forest, a game-high 10 were defined as long, and seven of those found their intended target – another game-high.
Indeed, as per FBref, Davies ranks in the top one per cent of all centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes received.
That is defined as a completed pass that moves the ball 10 yards or more closer to the opponent’s goal, or any pass into the opposition box.
Basically, Davies has the ability get the ball into areas of the field it matters, allowing the likes of Kulusevski, Son Heung-min, Richarlison, etc to take over.
While the defensive side of his game is coming in for praise, Davies has plenty in his arsenal to ensure he will remain a regular under Postecoglou even when the squad is back to full strength.
In other Tottenham news, Spurs may need a helping hand from Arsenal for their share of a £4.2billion windfall.