Stat shows why Derby signed Curtis Davies from Hull

Follow us on Google Discover

Hull City lost Curtis Davies after their relegation last season and now the 33-year-old is inspiring Derby County’s promotion push.

There may not have been any goals in the latest edition of the East Midlands derby but there was one sterling defensive performance.

Curtis Davies stood strong to deny Nottingham Forest as Derby County claimed a point at the City Ground on Sunday. Not for the first time, the 33-year-old centre-back was almost unbeatable and, along with the goals of Matej Vydra, he is one of the main reasons why the Rams are still in the promotion shake-up despite an alarming lack of victories in 2018.

So Davies, who won promotion to the Premier League with Hull City as recently as 2015, has been exactly what Derby fans expected – a very astute signing at less than £1 million, as reported by the Sun.

And there is one stat above all that perhaps sums up just how impressive the former West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa stopper has been since making the switch to Pride Park following Hull’s relegation from the top flight last season.

According to the Birmingham Mail, no English player in the Championship has won as many aerial duels (227) as Davies since the start of this campaign.

It is this innate commitment and willingness to put his body on the line that has earned Derby valuable points in games they could otherwise have lost.

And if Derby do reach the play-offs come May, Davies will have cemented his status as one of the season’s very best signings.