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Davis talks of Evans respect

Image: Claude Davis: Admires his boss

Rotherham defender Claude Davis believes his respect for manager Steve Evans means the pair will always be friends.

Davis, who is currently serving a three-match ban for a red card in December's defeat to Port Vale, endures a fractious relationship with Evans, who brought him to the club last January after also managing him at Crawley. The veteran centre-half found himself out of the reckoning in the early part of the campaign before forcing his way into the side as the Millers broke into the League One play-off places at the end of 2013. And although troubled waters could be on the horizon owing to his suspension and the arrival of Bournemouth defender Miles Addison, Davis insists all is well between him and his manager. "As a professional you don't think about your last game, you think about your next one. People say you're only as good as your last game, but if you can put that right then they forget it," he told Press Association Sport. "It was great being in the team which won promotion last season. I started this season poorly and picked up an injury and I saw myself in the wilderness a bit, not playing so much and being on the bench and injured. "I spoke to the gaffer and had a long conversation and he reassured me that I am part of his plans so whenever I get my chance I just have to keep my head down and perform as a professional. "I have respect for him regardless of what goes on between me and him. We have a lot of confrontations but I have been brought up in Jamaica to respect your elders no matter what happens. I show respect for him and he does for me." Despite losing their last two games, the Millers are in a great position to launch a promotion bid over the second half of the season and Davis believes team spirit could get them over the line. "We have to keep focused and keep together," he added. "We have to keep the camaraderie between us in the squad and keep our feet on the ground. The spirit is still there from last year, trust me, we are all friends."

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