THE noiser it is today the better as far as debut-making keeper Kelvin Davis is concerned.With more than 25,000 expected at Portman Road for Davis' first league appearance for Ipswich he is thrilled at the prospect of playing in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

THE noiser it is today the better as far as debut-making keeper Kelvin Davis is concerned, writes Derek Davis.

With more than 25,000 expected at Portman Road for Davis' first league appearance for Ipswich he is thrilled at the prospect of playing in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

After the morgue-like atmosphere of Selhurst Park last season where Wimbledon fans were out-numbered by visiting fans Davis believes the Blues support will make him an even better keeper.

He said: “Even playing in front of 9,000 last Friday night was quite a thrill because it is something I have missed.

“Having a big crowd behind you can be such an asset and you don't realise just how much until you don't have it.

“If Wimbledon had been playing at Milton Keynes last Christmas as planned then we could have had an even greater push for the play-offs than we did.

“Now I'm at Ipswich I intend to feed off the crowd and use their influence to our advantage.”

The two other summer signings, Georges Santos and Drissa Diallo, have also said how much they are looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in a competitive match and hope they raise the roof.

It should be a far cry from last August when Dons fans made one final gesture before turning their back on the franchise Wimbledon and started their own club.

Davis said: “The supporters made the decision they didn't want to follow the club any more and fair play to them, they went off and started the AFC side up and good luck to them.

“The only time the players did fall out with the supporters was the opening day last season when they turned up to hurl abuse at us and our families and I felt that was not called for.

“It is our job to play and it is what pays the bills and I have no doubt I'm sure those supporters would have done the same if they were in our shoes.

“I understand they wanted to vent their anger but it didn't need to be directed at us and our families. That was then, and now today is something I'm really looking forward to.”

Davis is expecting a baptism of fire today with the Royals providing stern opposition on his league bow for Town and a dangerous strike force with Nicky Forster and Shaun Goater.

He said: “Reading surprised quite a few last season and not many saw them coming last season and they made the play-offs. The manager has done a fantastic job and they work very well as a team. They are going to be a good test for us.

“I have played against The Goat a few times when he was at Bristol City and he is a type of player who can cause all teams problems and we have to deal with it the best way we can.”

A cacophony of sound should soon settle the nerves and give the trio just the lift they need.