Source: Team_Talk
Davies targets Trotters testimonial
Veteran Bolton striker Kevin Davies has his sights set on earning a testimonial at The Reebok, saying: "Let's hope I stay that long."[LNB] The 33-year-old is now into his eighth season at the Reebok Stadium, having moved north to join a side managed by Sam Allardyce from Southampton in 2003.[LNB]Davies has become a cult hero at the club and when Kevin Nolan quit for Newcastle two years ago he took over the captain's armband.[LNB]His combative style may not appeal to everyone but Bolton boss Owen Coyle has nothing but praise for the Sheffield-born player and there is no sign of his powers waning just yet and he will reach 10 years' service in 2013 to qualify for a testimonial.[LNB]"Let's hope I stay that long," Davies told ESPN. "I get a bit of stick from the lads about getting a new contract every year.[LNB]"But I love the club and I love the town. It has been a big part of my life for eight years.[LNB]"It has been a great time in my career and I have really enjoyed it."[LNB]Allardyce was lauded for the close unit he created at Bolton and the success the club enjoyed but Davies revealed he enjoys a closer relationship with Coyle than he has done with any manager he has played under.[LNB]"A day or two before he came into the job, he rang me on the Saturday and expressed what he wanted," said Davies. "He has always had a close relationship with his captain. He still trains with us now."[LNB]Coyle enjoys training because it gives him the opportunity to feed off Davies' robust talents, just as he would have loved to do during his own playing days.[LNB]Unfortunately, those talents tend to be spotted more by England's top referees than the national manager.[LNB]Despite coming close a couple of times, Davies has now abandoned any hope of pulling on an England shirt. After serving a suspension already this season following five bookings in his first six games, he is more concerned about staying out of trouble.[LNB]"I am always due to get a suspension given the way I play but this year it has come earlier than I would have liked," he said.[LNB]"I have to be a little bit careful now.[LNB]"If I get to 10 I will miss a couple of games so I have to quieten down.[LNB]"But a lot of them are for clumsy tackles, so maybe I am getting a bit too old."
