Ben Davies' is answering Rangers debate - Joshua Barrie

One observer might applaud a dominant clearance that addresses an immediate sense of danger but another will criticise the cheap surrendering of possession.

Judging a defender on data alone is near impossible. Player A may well have five times the interceptions of Player B over the course of a season, but what does that mean in detail?

The more possession your team has, the less opportunity there is to make defensive actions. Sometimes that could indicate a failure higher up the food chain. A last-gasp tackle can look good, but does it come courtesy of poor positioning beforehand? Context is crucial. 

Often, having two different profiles in a centre-back pairing is a positive. The duo can complement one another and bring different strengths to address their respective weaknesses.

That’s where Connor Goldson and Ben Davies come in. The pair are starting to enjoy a consistent run of games together at the heart of this Rangers team. Both bring different qualities to the partnership.

Goldson’s importance has never been more widely appreciated after enduring a spell out the side due to injury.

Davies is still in the infancy of his Ibrox career and although the back four is looking stronger by the week, individual criticism has not been absent. That's mainly been aimed at his perceived lack of aggression and dominance in duels, even if that’s quietened down in recent weeks.

Are these claims fair or is Davies starting to show what he can bring to this backline following a consistent run of matches?

Is he strong enough in the air?

Scottish football is physical and the methods of attack Rangers come up against are often direct. With a footballing career forged throughout the English football league, Davies is no stranger to aerial contests.

But is he strong enough in the air? The centre-back’s ability in the air was flagged up in the Rangers Review’s initial scout report this summer. He’s not a towering physical presence, immediately favoured at every high ball. Indeed, in the Scottish Premiership this season Davies’ won just 64 percent of his aerial duels, the same total as Connor Goldson.

How does that stack up when compared to previous seasons? In 2020/21, Goldson and Filip Helander won 73 and 74 percent of their respective aerial duels and last season Goldson came out on top 69 percent of the time while Calvin Bassey was successful with 64 percent of his efforts.

Davies’ aerial win percentage would ideally be higher and the eye test confirms this isn’t his strongest attribute. It’s something he himself highlighted during a recent press conference.

"Because I’m about 6ft1in, throughout my career, I always find it easier when there’s a bigger centre-half next to me. They can be more dominant and I can go around and mop up,” Davies said.

"It’s always been that way and that’s probably when I’ve done my best when the other defender has been the dominant one. I think suits my game.”

The Englishman often stands his ground when attacking a ball rather than approaching it with a run-up, sometimes trying to latch on to his marker.

Here’s an example from a recent Scottish Cup win against St Johnstone. Davies is holding Malker Hallberg and heads the ball from the ground, rather than during a jump.

He seems more comfortable locking on to opponents, perhaps because he doesn’t have the power of Goldson to always win 50-50s.

At times, his lack of dominance in the air has been notable. Kilmarnock’s late goal during a recent midweek fixture at Rugby Park saw Davies lose a header which would lead to a concession, even if Borna Barisic’s defending was the more suspect of the pair.

How does Davies defend ground duels?

The former Preston man also likes to get touch-tight when defending on the ground. He is comfortable leaving the stability of his back four to regain possession.

Under Giovanni van Bronckhorst this was perhaps more of a requirement when Rangers opted for a heavily man-marking system.

Under Michael Beale, it can facilitate a high line and enable full-backs to remain high. As demonstrated in the location of Davies' defensive actions. 

The former Preston man is able to steal the ball, timing his interceptions well, normally leading with his left leg. He reads the game intelligently and defends proactively, giving up just 0.19 fouls per 90.

There have been a few occasions when attackers have used the proximity of Davies’ positioning against him.

In this example against Ross County, he is turned by the touchline in the lead-up to a shot. Even if Adam Devine ought to meet the initial header with the centre-back positioned wide to cover.

A defender who is going to leave the safety blanket of the back four and engage will be beaten at points. Davies doesn’t boast the recovery pace of Bassey.

He does possess the necessary mobility to step up and stop attacks, however. While he can mop up if Goldson attacks aerial threats, the roles can reverse when it comes to duels on the ground. 

How valuable is his contribution on the ball?

There’s no doubting the fact that we’re starting to a better version of Davies. A recent run of three games in a week against St Johnstone, Hearts and Ross County featured some strong individual showings.

Undoubtedly, one of the 27-year-old's best qualities is his range of passing. Davies provides a natural balance next to Goldson being a left-footer and has a wide range of distribution. 

Long diagonal switches to the right.

Wrapped passes into the feet of the striker.

Or, line-breaking passes into the midfield.

This final group of passes, line-breaking balls into the midfield, are so important. Davies can beat the press with his passes and help open up opponents. This was perhaps best demonstrated by his pass in the build-up to Fashion Sakala's opener against Dundee United. 

Davies' pass network from a recent win against Ross County shows this variety of his distribution in action. 

Able to punch the ball through the lines, find the feet of Alfredo Morelos or switch play.

Speaking about his partnership with Davies recently, Goldson said: “It was never settled as a back four [at the start of the season due to injuries]. But we’re building confidence together now. He’s very easy to play with and he’s a good player.

“I don’t really need to talk to him much on the pitch, which is nice. And we’re doing well together.

“The relationship can only get stronger and that helps other areas of the pitch."

A centre-back is on Michael Beale's summer shopping list. Filip Helander hasn't featured this season and John Souttar last played on the opening day against Livingston. Aside from Leon King, Rangers lack depth in this area of the pitch.

Aqquiring a different profile of player to Davies could be a smart move, to offer more variety in approach. There could be occasions when a player more assertive in the air comes in handy.

Overall, however, the Englishman's balance next to Goldson, contribution on the ball, and ability to defend high up the pitch outweighs the perceived lack of blood and thunder.