We have been asked by www.potters-mad.co.uk to cast our view on loan signing Andrew Davies where the Stoke City-Mad website will publish our comments.
It was a surprise to see Andrew Davies turn out in a red and white shirt; news stories had been ringing around the internet for the majority of the day that the Blades was to signing this young talent on loan as replacement for Matthew Kilgallon who was ordered to stay at home with a chest infection.
However this deal was expected to go through sometime next week as the Potters wished to use his services in their Carling Cup encounter with Blackpool on Tuesday night.
He came straight into the Blades squad to face bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday, whilst there was really no option but to play Davies, it was a difficult, high temperature fixture which would no doubt test his limits. Whilst some may not consider Wednesday as difficult opponents it was the Steel City Derby which is not for the faint hearted.
Within four minutes of the game he was unfortunate to be booked by referee Alan Wiley whom in my opinion didn't give a fair reflection on the cards he branded out. As for the Centre-Half he was strong and physical and tough in challenge, everything we missed with the injury to Kilgallon.
In the first half the on loan defender almost found the net when his looping header almost dropped over the defence and into the back of the net but out of nothing Lee Grant rose to push the ball over the bar to the disappointment of the Blades fans.
He fitted into the team really well, specially considering he hadn't had any time to either train nor bond with the current set of players at Bramall Lane. Time will tell if his three month loan spell is to be a happy one but he most certainly left a great impression following his debut.