Wounded Davies set on lifting Hull City back into the big time

In the first, the London-born defender missed just one game as the Tigers stayed up comfortably. He also scored at Wembley in an FA Cup final that City were desperately unfortunate to lose.

Last season, however, could not have been more different as the form that had suggested Davies could get an England call-up in 2013-14 evaporated and he fell so far out of favour that a fortnightly captain’s column in the Hull matchday programme was about the only time his name cropped up at the KC Stadium.

Now, though, Davies – in the final year of his contract – is back and ready to make up for that 12 months to forget.

“When you have the season I had (in 2013-14), last season is always going to be difficult,” said the 30-year-old ahead of tomorrow’s Championship clash at home to Fulham.

“The start was up and down, then I was out of the team for a few games, came back and was then out again.

“Then that was it, the last time I was seen was about seven months ago.

“That was frustrating. It was hard to take as a professional footballer, let alone for someone who’d had the season I’d had and was the captain of the football club.”

Davies’s last appearance in a City shirt before the opening day win at home to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town had come on January 31.

Newcastle United triumphed 3-0 that day and manager Steve Bruce’s response was to bring in Paul McShane to play alongside his son Alex and Michael Dawson.

Then, when James Chester was fit again after a dislocated shoulder, he came in for the manager’s son to leave Davies firmly out in the cold and considering what his future might bring over the summer.

“If I was here and worked as hard as I have worked, but then not played this season then I probably wouldn’t be here,” said the former Aston Villa defender.

“I see myself as a player who can play in this league comfortably and if I wasn’t to be playing in this league in the last year of my contract then it would be a dangerous time. I would have wanted to move.

“But I feel good, feel fit. Playing three games in a week, plus the extra 30 minutes on Tuesday (in the penalty shoot-out win over Accrington Stanley) means I am feeling ready for this campaign.

“I have started the season well but last season has taught me you should never take anything for granted.

“You never know what’s around the corner.

“I will just look to keep playing as I have been and, hopefully, that will be enough to keep me in the team.”

Davies’s performance in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers certainly suggests that his place in the City starting XI is secure.

Against one of the Championship’s liveliest attacks of Benik Afobe and Nouha Dicko, Davies and central defensive partner Dawson were hugely impressive.

But for a calamitous error by goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Hull would have secured a second successive win since returning to the Championship.

Not that Davies, following his own struggles last term, would dream of criticising the Scottish goalkeeper.

“Allan has saved us more than he’s let us down,” he said. “Things like that have happened to me and others in our careers, and that is when you rally around each other.

“We rolled our sleeves up and gave it a good go at the end. We had a lot of territory and maybe if we had been a bit cuter we could have won the game.

“It is hard to get away from the mistake but these things happen in football.”

Like Davies, McGregor was axed by Bruce last season following a slump in form. Davies, however, insists the Tigers goalkeeper will not be affected by the mistake that left Henry with the simple task of heading into an empty net to equalise for Wolves.

“Allan held his hands up straight away in the dressing room and that is a sign of his character,” said the former City captain.

“He knows it was a mistake and he has not tried getting away from that fact.

“He knows it wasn’t good enough. But I told him he has saved us more than he has let us down so it is just one of those things.”

Fulham head to the KC tomorrow night still searching for a first victory of the season but Davies insists the Londoners will be another tough test.

“They are giving it a good go this year having signed Tom Cairney, Jamie O’Hara and Tim Ream,” he said.

“They will want to be pushing for the play-offs and promotion.

“It is another interesting game, which are coming thick and fast for us.

“We know on our day we can beat anyone.”