Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis is being linked with a return to his old stamping ground at Portman Road.

At least one tabloid newspaper as well as Ipswich fan websites have reported that Kelvin Davis could be on his way back to Ipswich, initially on loan but with a view to a permanent move in the January transfer window.

Davis has enjoyed a chequered career with Saints at times, his first two seasons saw him come under fire from the supporters and on each occasion he found himself second choice for the final 1/4 of the season firstly to Bart Bialkowski and then to loan signing Richard Wright.

However in his third season he battled back and earned the respect of the fans in the way he conducted himself both on and off the field as Saints headed into Administration.

In his fourth season he continued his good form although an injury gave Bialkowski a spell back in the first team, this time however Kelvin came straight back in after recovering and enjoyed a three year spell as undisputed first choice as Saints consolidated in League One, won the JPT and then enjoyed back to back promotions.

Rumours in the summer suggested that a more Premier experienced keeper might be brought in to replace him, this didnt materialise and Kelvin started the season as number one.

This season however Kelvin has not enjoyed the best of times, in fairness his defence was not helping him, but his personal form it has to be said was not the best and after a nightmare came at Arsenal that saw him concede 6 to make it 14 goals in 4 games he was dropped to make way for Paulo Gazzaniga, since then in the two months and 8 league games he has failed to get his place back, although he has funnily enough always been number two whether it be to Gazzaniga or the under fire Boruc.

This time however it looks like his time at St Mary's could be up, Saints could bring in another keeper in the January window and third choice is no good to kelvin at his age.

Many Saints supporters assumed that his service might mean a move into the coaching side of things at St Mary's when he retires from playing and there are a lot who would say that his loyalty to the club merits that, however nothing has happened on that front and with a keeper there are only limited opportunities in that department anyway.

So it seems that his six year stay at the club might be about to end, there can be no doubt that he deserves to go with the best wishes of the supporters ringing in his ears if he does go, he hasnt been the greatest keeper Saints have ever had, in truth with only four top flight games for the club to his name, it would be hard to justify that, but he can be called one of the most loyal keepers we have ever had. 

Photo: Action Images

Scummer added 14:26 - Nov 21 Kelvin had opportunities to move on when Saints were going through their darkest hours and showed immense loyalty to the club. Top man, and if he does move on (and I would not blame him) then he will always get a warm welcome back at Saints. Definite fan favourite.
0

stmichael added 15:31 - Nov 21 Chequered career!!?? He has had a magnificent career and is much respected by fans and players and managment alike. 3 times in the "Team of the Year", Wembley win and 2 promotions. Loyalty , integrity , consistency. What more could anybody want? Pretty close to legendary status in my opinion and should still be between the sticks now.
0

REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 15:49 - Nov 21 I don’t think he’d be allowed to leave until we get another keeper in. Only having Boruc and Gazza is a bit thin on the ground. If Boruc got injured then we’d have to play Gazza, and if Gazza’s form dips (which it has) then we are stuck with having to play a crap goalkeeper! I think Saints will buy Jack Butland in Jan. Birmingham have no money and will be forced to sell. Butland has said in the past that he wants first team football. A lot of big Premiership teams wouldn’t be able to give him that but Saints would! We could also do with signing Nathan Redmond from Birmingham. 18 year old winger, has played nearly 60 competitive games for Birmingham’s first team, he’s an England under 19’s international, and on top of that he is a natural winger with raw pace and skill, something Saints seems to lack!!

0

SaintNick added 15:57 - Nov 21 Chequered career ? people have short memories about his first two years with the club, im loathe to really criticise someone who has given good service, but lets not gloss over the facts here, for two years he was garbage, for another two years he was playing in League 1 behind a team that was the most expensively assembled in League 1 history, lets not get too carried away here

0

hortonsaint added 17:58 - Nov 21 To say he was garbage for 2 years is getting as carried away as making out he was a great keeper, which he most defintely was not and the premier league proved a step too far for him both here and Sunderland. He will go down as a keeper that divided opinion amongst the fans and I wouldn't agree that he was a definite fans' favourite as scummer said - I heard him get abuse on occasions which, whatever your opinion on him as a keeper, I always felt was unwarranted given his character. He would still do a good job at championship level and it would be understandable if he wanted to continue playing regularly as possible at this stage of his career.

0

Scummer added 22:30 - Nov 21 Hortonsaint. if everyone is going to assess the man purely on his keeping ability, then he will pale against the likes of Shilton, Flowers and Niemi, to name a few. But to me, to you and many more he is more than that - he is one of the people who held true when Saints were a spent and relegated force with no money and bleak prospects, and I for one feel a massive level of gratitude to those who didn't leave during that period. Fans have long memories, and the way a player conducts themselves is remembered. Many a decent player has ruined his legacy by poorly handling a transfer and Kelvin is cut from a different cloth to those uglier mercenaries. That's why I think he'll always be a favourite.

0

davepid added 22:47 - Nov 21 Think last entry is spot on. He was/is a great shot stopper and increasingly a great one on one keeper. Even his distribution improved in the last year though mastery of the area eludes him still. His game at Leeds ,away last season, captured all that was best with Kelvin - his skill, his bravey ,his determination and character. Hes always given his best but on that day he was magnificant.

0

winchesterbob added 12:57 - Nov 22 Pretty good record saving penalties as well..top bloke and if he does go I'm sure most of us will wish him well.....nuff said!!
0

bstokesaint added 13:11 - Nov 22 We'd be unwise to let him go whilst he is still in my opinion (without personally witnessing Boruc's better past) our no 1 keeper. It's easy to call a keeper "garbage" or such like when the team as a whole are underperforming. Yeah he's not a Shilton or Niemi, but he was a class act last season and you don't become a poor keeper overnight. He's been dumped with the blame for the poor start to the season because of 2 or 3 near post efforts. Other than that there is little to criticise him about and the defence must take a larger part of the responsibility. If he goes then good luck to him, he's been a truly great ambassador for this club and conducts himself on and off the pitch as all pros should do. I'd love to see Butland come in, but is he really going to come to a club languishing near the foot of the table or look for a top 6 opening?

0

SaintNick added 19:29 - Nov 22 Is butland actually up to the hype, he is only young and hasnt much more expeience than Gazza in fact Gazza has more premier xperience, we need someone who has been there and done it a short term signing to do a job for us now
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Birmingham City Polls