Leading into Saturday’s game at Huish Park, Archie Davies spoke to CUTV about the Forest Green victory, the quality of the National League and more.
Here is everything we learnt:
1. Brunton Park was electric during Saturday evening’s victory
“It was a really enjoyable game with all the people coming out to watch us and the events that happened. There was a lot of ups and downs in the game, which always makes that winning feeling even better.”
Asked if Saturday’s atmosphere was one of the best he’d experienced, he said: “I think it’s definitely up there, especially since we got the win in the end- coming off the pitch and getting around the lads at full time, it was a really good feeling.”
2. Playing in front of the cameras is just like any other game
Davies was keen to express that the DAZN cameras didn’t affect the right-back’s preparation and motivation: “I wouldn’t say it affects us - there might be one or two that relish it a bit more, and then some will say that as it’s a later game, you won’t get home until later. I think you’re out on the pitch and you’re trying to win the game and that’s it.”
3. There’s no complacency within the group
Archie praised the mood around the group in training and messages from staff ahead of United’s trip to the Glovers: “The mood has been good. There has been messages [from the staff] saying not to get complacent or take your foot off the gas.
“We’re a good team and we’re working hard and doing well, but we don’t want to go into games with over-arrogance and complacency, so we just need to stay grounded and work hard.”
4. United’s attacking threat makes his job easier
The Blues bolstered an attacking line-up headlined by players such as Regan Linney and Georgie Kelly with the signing of Chris Conn-Clarke earlier this month.
When asked about the Northern Irishman’s impact, the right-back said: “I think when you look up from the full-back position and you see players like that in front of you, you’re spoilt for choice on who you give it to or what situations you can make out of it.”
“When you’ve got talent like that in-front of you, it makes your job behind a little bit easier”
The twenty-seven-year-old has been caught being visibly impressed by Linney already this campaign: “He’s brilliant. I think he’s got enough plaudits as it is but it’s a joy to watch at times the things he can do, the way he strikes the ball and some of the goals he scores are just unbelievable. It’s almost a surprise he’s playing at this level and not one or two higher.”
5. He’s looking to carry on his early-season form
Davies has been a mainstay in Mark Hughes’ side since the early stages of the season. On finding his feet in the team, he said: “I feel fit and confident. I think last season was a bit more stop-and-start, whether it was injury, playing with injury, or coming back into the team and finding fitness.”
“I feel since I’ve come in this year, near the start of the season that I’ve gone from strength to strength and looking to carry that on.”
6. He sees himself as an attacking full-back
“I like to get forward. I like to bring the ball forward. I like to join the attack. I like to put balls in the box, and I like to play passes, whether it’s the wing or the ten coming in, just anything towards the final third - I thrive.”
7. He’s comfortable next to any centre-back partnership
“There’s been lots of combinations and everyone brings their own qualities. When you are playing with them, [the centre halves] you don’t really have to change your game as such, but you need to know, can I receive the ball off [Morgan] Feeney a bit higher? Do I have to drop in maybe for Az [Aaron Hayden] or Terell [Thomas]? Playing next to them, you do feel safe either way, so they all bring good qualities definitely.”
8. Yeovil will pose a threat on Saturday afternoon
On what the Glovers will bring to the table, Archie said: “They’ve got good individuals. It’s all about matching their system, which I think is a 3-4-3, which at times maybe we’ve struggled a little bit with, but I think going into the game now we need to learn from where we’ve struggled in the past and counter their threats and make our strengths going forward even better as well.”
9. The National League is proving a great challenge
On the standard of opposition and styles of play utilised in the National League, the right-back said: “It’s very similar to League Two in the sense that everyone’s physical, and everyone will mix it up. You will get those more direct teams, and you’ll get some very good teams as well that will try and play like Rochdale, even how Forest Green played the other day.”
“Each game has different challenges, and it’s a good league and good standard and people who didn’t know maybe before this season have quickly found out.”
10. Fans will be a big part in United carrying on their winning run
When asked his message for fans ahead of the game, Davies said: “Just get behind us as you normally do, we need to carry on this form and they’ll be a big part of that.”
Watch the full interview on CUTV HERE!
