I have read a lot of Davies' articles from the seventies and eighties, and in every case Davies took the most optimistic possible viewpoint. For several years after 1978 he was positive that JPII was going to solve all the problems in the Church. He was always a "glass half full" kind of guy, In fact, his articles only become heated and vehement when discussing those more pessimistic than himself, sedevacantists and such. But overall, one has to give him credit for always making the best of the situation, and whenever his optimism strayed too far into fantasy, he would eventually correct himself.
He clearly saw all the problems. His Cranmer's Godly Order basically lays out the steps in 'Vatican II reform'. But he never ultimately wanted to make that connection. Maybe he had a change of heart, at the last. But his writings essentially catalogue many of the fundamental errors since the mid-60s.
"But overall, one has to give him (Davies) credit for always making the best of the situation, and whenever his optimism strayed too far into fantasy, he would eventually correct himself."
Yes, his approach was such that all shades of tradition from tepid to staunch claimed him as one of their own. Quite a remarkable feat among people who are prone to splinter at the slightest inflection! But it was eventually clear where he belonged with his position in the broader Una Voce organisation. This gave him access to certain cardinals in Rome without stopping him from associating with people like the Remnant group. But it would be a pity if his liking of red and purple weakened the impact of his work and we learn of another death-bed retraction or modification.