Birmingham City reaction given to Ben Davies, Rangers saga - Russell Martin decision led him to Oxford United | OneFootball

Ben Davies has joined Oxford United on loan despite initial talk of a return to St. Andrew's

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City's transfer dealings upon their return to the Championship were always likely to create plenty of talking points, even regarding those who didn't move to St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

Blues romped to the League One title during Chris Davies' first season in the West Midlands and his first campaign in a full-time managerial role, with American ownership group, Knighthead Capital Management, ploughing hefty investment into the playing squad in order to realise the club's long-term ambitions as quickly as possible.

Last season marked a sea change in momentum and the atmosphere surrounding the club, having previously spent so many prior years stagnating in the second-tier's lower reaches after years of financial mismanagement.

It was, therefore, no surprise that so many within the Blues ranks asserted themselves as fan favourites last season, with a cluster of recruits also coming from north of the border, as Davies looked to utilise his pre-existing knowledge of the SPFL from his days as Celtic assistant boss.

Ben Davies was one of the names falling into said category. Yet, after becoming an integral part of Blues' back-line following a loan move from Rangers, he has returned to England this summer, only to join divisional rivals, Oxford United, on a temporary basis.

With that being said, Football League World asked our Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, for his thoughts on the defender's eventual move, and whether he could have moved to a side with loftier targets.

Birmingham City stance offered amid 'surprise' in Ben Davies' Oxford United, Rangers loan agreement

Davies immediately became a first-team regular at St. Andrew's following his loan switch from the SPFL giants, forming a formidable partnership alongside Christoph Klarer for a large portion of the campaign as Blues conceded just 31 times and suffered defeat just three times across 46 league games.

After also scoring against Shrewsbury Town in March, Davies hinted that he would consider a potential permanent move to B9, with speculation rife across the summer regarding reunions with the 30-year-old and fellow Rangers loanee, Kieran Dowell.

However, Birmingham opted to bolster their centre-back department with the additions of Phil Neumann, Eiran Cashin and Jack Robinson, whilst Davies completed a loan switch to the Kassam Stadium, linking up with former Blues boss, Gary Rowett.

Moore admits he wasn't against a potential recapture of the ex-Liverpool man, stating that Davies was a victim of circumstances unfolding throughout the summer, particularly at Ibrox.

"100% I think he could've got a better move than Oxford," he told FLW. "But, I think, unfortunately for Ben Davies, Blues weren't going to wait around for him and he was in the unfortunate position that Russell Martin wanted to have a look at him.

"And, by the time he's made his mind up on him, it's late in the window.

"Would he have started at Blues? Probably not," Moore claimed. "But, he definitely could have got a better move than Oxford. Unfortunately, he is where he is.

"He knows he's going to play every single game, and he knows he's going to be, probably their best centre back.

"Is he better than (Michal) Helik? probably, yes," Moore stated. "It is what it is, he needs to be playing football and he knows he'll play at Oxford.

"I think he'll do a superb job for them and I wish him the best."

Oxford United loan move was the best scenario for Ben Davies' gametime prospects

Whether Davies is a better centre-back than Helik is another debate in itself. However, moving to Oxford is certainly a better scenario for his prospects of regular gametime in comparison to the likes of Birmingham and Queens Park Rangers, who were also interested in striking a loan agreement.

The Barrow-born man has previously excelled at this level during a lengthy spell at Preston North End, and after regaining his confidence at St. Andrew's, that will only boost Oxford's chances of becoming a defensively solid unit after shipping 13 goals in six games across all competitions in August.

Davies would have certainly been an adequate option for his namesake to call upon in the West Midlands. However, Bluenoses are rather satisfied with the main pairing of Neumann and Klarer for the time being, although there have been eyebrows raised over the loan signing of Cashin in the early weeks of the campaign.