3/1 To Win
Curtis Davies admitted it was ‘an honour’ to be named as Derby County’s captain ahead of the 2022/23 Sky Bet League One campaign.
The central defender, who signed a one-year contract extension with the club earlier this month, has been handed the armband as the Rams prepare for life in the third tier of English football for the first time since 1986.
Davies was a key player for the Rams last term as he played every minute of every league game and his impressive displays earned him the Jack Stamps Player of the Season award.
The 36-year-old was informed of the news by Interim Manager Liam Rosenior, who has also named Academy graduate Max Bird as the club’s vice-captain for the campaign.
Davies spoke to RamsTV about being handed thearmband and explained that the role will not change his approach to his football, whilst he discussed the dressing room dynamic amongst the new-look Derby squad.
On Being Named Captain…
It feels good. To be named as the captain of this football club is an honour. It doesn’t change me, I’m still the same person whether I have the armband or not. The last time I was named captain, I didn’t play many games because I was injured with my achillies - so it will be good to finally have the armband back properly. I will be trying to help the team, as I always do.
On His Conversations With Liam Rosenior…
It was the worst kept secret, really. People come to me about things and in the games I have been captain so it’s leant towards that, but Liam addressed it yesterday and told me he wanted to make it formal and make me captain. I’m delighted and I don’t take it lightly. I’m not going to be extra busy on the pitch, I will just be doing my thing as normal.
On His Natural Leadership…
If I think back to being young, I was captaining youth teams and district teams but down to organising lads holidays or things like that; I’m always that guy. I’m a big talker in terms of on and off the pitch and I think it does come more naturally to me than it does others. There are different ways of doing it. You can have a captain on the pitch who is the main man and making things tick or you get a vocal captain who is able to help others get through games and with other situations off the pitch.
On Max Bird Being Named Vice Captain…
I think it is a great decision because he’s always been the young lads’ captain. He’s similar to me where he organises everything. Birdy is aged well beyond his years. He’s a very smart kid, he’s very thoughtful in everything he does and when it comes to the young lads, Birdy has been there since he was 16 years old so they all lean towards him anyway. I think it’s a big thing for him in terms of officially having that stature. If there are any games that I miss, hopefully not, he will take the armband, wear it with pride and have that responsibility that he knows comes with it.
On The Dressing Room…
Ultimately there are different ways of being a captain. You don’t want to be a captain who is a dictator and telling everyone this and that. That is not me. This group takes care of itself. We have good characters who don’t need to be knocked down a peg. We have good players who know their jobs and roles so it should come easy. We have a lot of players who have a lot of games behind them and a lot of promotions too, so we have experience throughout. Even the young lads, they’re willing to listen and learn so there shouldn’t be a time where you have to pull them to one side and have an individual chat. It’s group-led and I suppose I’m the focal point of it.
On Pre-Season So Far…
I think it’s building up well. I know there are a few people getting carried away with the defeat against Stevenage three days after beating a Bundesliga side in Hertha Berlin, but that’s what happens when there is excitement and a bit of expectation on us. We’re working towards Oxford United on the opening day of the season. You think back to when Newcastle United were beaten 6-1 by Leyton Orient in their last pre-season game before the 2009/10 season started and they went up that year - so I don’t think we can get carried away with pre-season results. It’s all about building something, getting people used to their roles and people getting used to each other as well. As much as I’ve played against these players and played against them for years, I don’t know their full strengths and weaknesses until I have trained with them on a daily basis. We’ve had about 10 days to two weeks together so far, so it will come together. We are quietly confident, so just stick with us would be by message.
