Bolton's Kevin Davies claims rival managers tell their players to get him booked

Bolton skipper Kevin Davies is accusing rival bosses of telling their team to get him booked in a no-punches-pulled defence of his style.

And the Wanderers warrior has also hit out at foreign defenders for 'screaming to the referee' when he comes up against them in the heat of battle.

Davies is upset that he has been singled out lately - with little personal protection either - and believes there is a campaign against him by some of the biggest names in the game, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

The Bolton target man said: "Certain managers will say to their players to go down if I am anywhere near them because they are trying to get me booked.

"Recently it's been obvious that players have been told to make a meal of any contact and get me taken out of the game. I take it as a compliment, I just get on with it. I won't stop.

"It's been going on since Fergie brought it up and it blows up now and again. Arsene Wenger had a problem with the Gael Clichy tackle but I thought it was fair and yet I got a yellow card.

"I was a bit disappointed with that. I make firm challenges. I think I they are fair and honest."

Davies is equally tough with the players who whinge about his robust approach and picks out the Premier League's imports for the biggest stick.

He said: "I don't get so much respect from the foreign lads, they don't like it. But when you are playing against Richard Dunne or John Terry and you have spilt blood you wish each other good luck and you are on your way.

"The British ones are more used to it and some even relish it. The foreign players jump up and scream to the referee. It's a man's game so just get on with it.

"It will be an old-school battle with Richard at Aston Villa. He is a big, strong lad. I have had some great games with him, but we shake hands at the end and say 'Thanks for the battle.' Whether he has cut me or I have cut him you enjoy that."

Davies thinks he has taken extra punishment lately too and refs have turned a blind eye. But he refuses to feign injury and win fouls or get other players booked.

He said: "I got cut three times against Everton and had stitches. The ref was only a few yards away and said he hadn't seen it.

"I won't go down and play for free-kicks. I try to play honestly, but it goes against you. It's something the referees need to look at. I said to the ref last week that he had not given me one foul and yet some of them were obvious.

"I don't like the diving side of the game, it's frustrating to watch and it's not something I like to see. I don't know if it's something that is coached in Europe to earn free-kicks, but it's not something I have been told to do. I like to see men stand up and take it a bit more."

Davies admits he is a dying breed of forward who is a throwback to the old days but yet still has a major part to play in Bolton's game plan.

He said: "The game has changed and will change again in the future. It's a lot more skilful today and the physical side is dying out.

"With some of the laws coming the referee is blowing his whistle every 30 seconds, the game doesn't really flow so much.

"There are a lot of reckless tackles still about, but referees are punishing people for tackles which are OK. You are not allowed much contact any more."