David Davis

Davis was born in Smethwick, Sandwell. His older brother, Dion Scott, played as a defender in the Football League for Walsall and Kidderminster Harriers. Davis spent time in Walsall's Centre of Excellence as a boy, and then played local youth football for Tividale. Spotted by Wolverhampton Wanderers as a 15-year-old, he had trials with the club and was given "a year to try and impress" before beginning a two-year scholarship in 2007. According to his first-year academy profile, he was a midfielder who "shows good versatility and all round game" and was "adept in possession." In 2009, Davis was one of seven academy players to sign professional contracts.

First-team football on loan

Davis joined League Two club Darlington on 22 October 2009 on a month's loan (later extended to January 2010) to gain experience of first-team football. According to manager Steve Staunton, who had watched him play against Arsenal Reserves, "he's combative, he's excellent on the ball, he's strong and he's a good passer". He made his senior debut in the starting eleven at Barnet two days later; the Northern Echo reported that he "showed some promise" but "wasted a great scoring chance" when he beat the offside trap only for his lobbed shot to go over the bar. In a 5–2 defeat at Chesterfield, he was used as the defensive organiser in a five-man midfield: the Echo's reporter described how he "sat in front of the back four and barked out orders" but thought his passing "left a lot to be desired". After a 4–0 home defeat by Morecambe, Davis was one of five players left out. He remained out of the side for three matches, then bad weather left Darlington without a match for several weeks, so he returned to his parent club. He had played five league matches and once in the FA Cup. In September 2010 he went out on another month's loan, this time to League One club Walsall, where he had spent time as a junior. The Birmingham Mail reported that on his debut, in a defeat at Rochdale, he had "a quiet first half but showed some impressive touches in the second period and fitted well into Walsall's 4–3–3 formation." His captain, Darren Byfield, "thought…

On joining Walsall as a 19-year-old, Davis described himself as "the type of player who likes to break things down and do what I call the 'nitty-gritty'. I like to get stuck in and work hard". He is primarily a defensive midfielder, reportedly priding himself on "ball-winning ground-covering defensive midfield work"; his major contribution to his team comes from "flying around midfield winning the ball and disrupting the opposition". Lee Clark suggested he looks best when using his power and strength and keeping his use of the ball simple. Dean Saunders mentioned his "winning mentality"; according to the Birmingham Mail's Brian Dick, "when Blues are down no-one leads by example quite as much as Davis".

As of match played 12 April 2025