Ben Davies is using his Rangers experience to cope with the pressure of being expected to win every League One game with Birmingham City.
The on-loan defender made first league start for Blues in their 2-0 win over Rotherham United on Saturday after waiting patiently for his chance under manager Chris Davies. The door was opened to Davies by Krystian Bielik’s suspension and he impressively marshalled Blues’ back-line to their first clean sheet in the league.
“It took a suspension for me to get my chance and I knew I needed a good performance to stake my claim, and I’m happy with how me and the team did,” Davies reflected afterwards.
Blues hold the last remaining unbeaten record in League One and have now recorded five straight victories. Only goal difference separates league leaders Wrexham and second-placed Blues who have a game-in-hand.
Dealing with the pressure of being expected to earn three points on a weekly basis is nothing new to Davies. He has enjoyed a similar experience with Rangers over the past two years.
“Going up to Rangers has helped me deal with that expectation and pressure of winning every game,” Davies said. “It’s made me more comfortable with that situation. I’ve had good life experiences, plenty of football clubs and plenty of loans. I’m quite an experienced player now and I feel like I can implement that into the team.”
It is doubtful whether Davies will keep his place in the line-up with Bielik available once again, but his performance at the New York Stadium could at least elevate him ahead of Dion Sanderson in the central defensive pecking order.
Davies isn’t the only player who committed to Blues in the summer in the knowledge that first team football wouldn’t be guaranteed. The strength of Blues’ squad is driving extremely high standards in training according to the 29-year-old centre-back.
“The standard in training is excellent,” he added. “The lads have been doing really well. Obviously I want to play every game but it takes time to get up to the standard and intensity the manager wants to work at.
“We’re a close squad and I feel like everyone wants each other to do well, whether you’re playing or not, because you know that next week you could be in the team.”
