Former Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies reveals that most players react when involved in a physical battle with the striker. This is especially true of the central defenders. Davies, however, sees the former United centre back Nemanja Vidic as a different personality. During his time in English football, Vidic went on from being an unknown from Serbian football into one of the best defenders in the world. He did pick up red cards during his time at Old Trafford, but Vidic will largely be remembered as someone who held his character on the pitch.
Davies is one of the most physical strikers to have played in the Premier League. For several years, Bolton were able to stay in the league largely because of the threat offered by Davies. Even though his goals dried towards the latter end of his career, he remained an integral part of the club who are now playing in the Championship. The former striker recently retired from football after spending his last two years at Preston North End. Davies has recalled how most of the top defenders like John Terry will patch up once the game is over. However, this was not the case with Vidic who did not choose to remain friends with opposition players.
“You know in the first challenge or two if you have the beating of [an opponent] in the air.The one I always loved playing against was John Terry.I caught him, he caught me. He was stretchered off once, but there were no grudges and we’d swap shirts.Someone like Nemanja Vidic, you’d tackle them and they wouldn’t shake your hand because they thought it was a personal insult. But it’s a physical game. Nowadays it’s going a bit soft,” said Davies, who especially fought against Vidic several times while playing for Bolton.