Davies head and shoulders better than Cole.

A few years back, people thought Henry was 'avin' a laugh when he described Kevin Davies as the best English qualified striker in the Premiership; well, on the evidence of yesterday, Rooney apart, I think he may have been right! There is a debate taking place on another thread about whether or not Davies would cut it at international level and I would just like to chip in with my three penneth.

What amazed me about Davies yesterday was his movement. Time and again, he made himself available for the ball, either by pulling wide or by stepping away from his marker at the last moment, gaining a precious yard to control the ball and weigh up his options. When Henry made his comment, Davies wasn't scoring enough goals to be taken seriously but, like Cole, Davies is now slotting them home with much greater regularity. He lacks the pace of Cole but he has a much better footballing brain and, as Sherringham proved, a quick thinker can outpace a quick runner at international level.

Some are arguing that Davies is too physical to succeed at international level, but those people have short memories. Shearer was a bully on the pitch, using his physical strength to great advantage - and Rooney is hardly the shy and retiring type. I have been a strong advocate of Cole this year but, since his injury, that goal against Hull apart, he has seemed off the pace and lacking in confidence. He was dreadful yesterday and Davies looked twice the player.

He is undoubtedly very long odds to make the plane for South Africa but I think he is worth a look. Davies or Heskey? I would go for Davies. Davies or Cole? At the moment, Davies. Rooney would love playing off him, just as Shearer enjoyed the opportunities that Sherringham provided for him. And should Rooney be injured, I fancy Defoe's preferred partner would be the selfless Bolton man.