Report explains why Reading have marginalised Reece Oxford; Nottingham Forest’s loss

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West Ham’s teenage starlet was inundated with loan offers in January – but perhaps he should’ve moved to Nottingham Forest rather than Reading.

Reece Oxford’s reasons for making a loan move to Championship promotion challengers Reading in the January transfer window certainly made sense.

“[Royals manager Jaap] Stam was a massive influence in me coming here,” the teenager told the Reading Chronicle. “Passing the ball is a big part of my game. I’ve watched a few games and hopefully they can all teach me and help me improve.”

While Stam’s possession-based philosophy has divided supporters at times, the former defender’s typically Dutch tactics certainly seemed a good fit for a young player likened to Rio Ferdinand for his composure in possession.

Amid the huge media clamour, Oxford, who has not made a Premier League appearance for West Ham since that infamous debut against Arsenal on the opening day of last season, probably expected to play an important role in Reading’s play-off push.

So far, however, he has only featured in 18 minutes of action for Stam’s side. And, according to Football London, is unlikely to be trusted to start games for the remainder of the season with The Royals only signing him as cover for the club’s first-choice centre-backs.

Therefore, you get the feeling that this short-term loan has been something of a waste of time.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest, just a point above the drop zone and onto their third manager of the season, may not appear the ideal environment for a young player. But perhaps 18-year-old Oxford would have benefited more from moving to the City Ground in January.

The Daily Mirror reported that Forest were very interested at the time and, in a strange quirk of fate, have since appointed Mark Warburton – the manager who fought to bring Oxford to Rangers in January.

Despite Forest’s perilous position and the centre-back’s tender years, he would surely have played a much bigger role in their final months of the campaign while gaining an understanding of what is needed to grind out a result in a high pressure situation.

Furthermore, a recent defensive injury crisis may have thrown him into the deep end – and a sink or swim scenario could have been the making of this talented young Englishman.