Davenport Arrives – Reaction

Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography Ltd for Lincoln City FC

During the pre-match anticipation against Derby County, you may or may not have missed that City added another midfielder to their ranks with the signing of Jacob Davenport on a short-term contract, that lasts until January.  

Twenty-three-year-old Davenport started his youth career with Manchester City and was there when now Imps manager Mark Kennedy worked for the Citizens. His first taste of senior football was with Burton Albion, where he played Championship football. Upon the end of his City contract, he joined another Championship side, Blackburn Rovers on a permanent deal. 

His contract expired with the Lancashire club this summer and he has reportedly been on trials with Scottish Premiership side, Hearts and EFL Championship side, Reading. Davenport was Blackburn Rovers’ first signing after promotion from League One in 2018, but an injury-hit four years saw him only make thirty-six appearances. Davenport had been expected to secure a move to Aberdeen in the January transfer window but a move collapsed late on. 

Davenport is an extremely highly rated player, I’ve followed him for a few years as he has always been a player I’ve always rated. The other night we faced Derby, and they had Conor Hourihane in the midfield three, for me Davenport can be our Hourihane. While he doesn’t have the vast range of experience of Hourihane, he has spent all of his senior career in the Championship. He could be a young style of Bridcutt too with this being the lowest level he has been at.

I am excited by this signing and I feel it has gone under the radar due to the Tuesday night victory over Derby but he has so much ability and if we can keep him fit, with if being the operative word, he could be a massive player for us. Some people have asked about the six month contract and I see that as purely a pre-caution on both sides. He could have got the Hearts move this summer and is capable of playing higher in the pyramid but for us we have an option to not offer him a new deal if he spends three quarters of his time here injured.

In case you missed it, here is what the midfielder had to say: “I’m buzzing – I’ve trained with the club for the past four weeks, so I’m just delighted to have it sorted.”
“I know the manager well having worked with him previously at Manchester City, so I am familiar with the way he wants to play football.
“I’ve been shown around and the facilities are amazing. I can’t wait to get the shirt on, be playing in front of the supporters and get going.”

He will be available for Bristol Rovers tomorrow, so it will certainly be interesting to see if he plays a part.