During Birmingham City’s recent defeat to Millwall, striker Jay Stansfield faced a pivotal moment early in the first half. With the ball at his feet after intercepting a loose pass, he had two clear options: pass to teammate August Priske or take the shot himself with conviction. Stansfield hesitated, choosing neither decisively—and moments later, Millwall scored the first of three goals in a comprehensive victory.
This moment seemed to encapsulate frustrations over Stansfield’s form, especially considering he has scored just once since November. However, painting the 23-year-old as a player who should be dropped from Chris Davies’ starting lineup overlooks key facts.
Statistically, Stansfield remains Birmingham City’s most productive attacker this season. He leads the team with nine Championship goals and five assists and tops the chart with 10 big chances created. Despite critics insisting he has struggled in a creative role, these numbers tell a different story. While not a classic playmaker threading slick passes, his versatility and work rate have enabled him to provide a variety of assists—ranging from knockdowns on set-pieces to setting up teammates with shots on goal.
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Comparing Stansfield to Marvin Ducksch, who has recently played as Birmingham’s number 10, highlights this disparity. Ducksch has scored six goals and contributed one or two assists, but he lags behind Stansfield in chance creation. Both players show promise, but neither is a flawless fit for the role given the current squad. This underscores a need for Birmingham to find a more defined creative presence in the summer, especially as Kanya Fujimoto, last year’s signing for the number 10 position, remains sidelined from first-team plans.
One ongoing debate is the optimal position for Stansfield in Davies’ system. Is he most effective as a central striker, a second forward, or even deployed wider on the left? Fans and pundits alike remain divided. On the recent Keep Right On Podcast, guest Glenn Smyth suggested Stansfield might thrive better on the left wing, where his strength and style could be better suited. Meanwhile, host Alex Dicken observed that while Stansfield has played more centrally this season and improved in that role, his physical attributes might limit his impact as a lone striker, especially in the physically demanding Championship.
Brian Dick added that Stansfield often struggles when isolated as the furthest forward player, getting lost amid crowded penalty areas. Instead, a system employing two ‘tens’—with Stansfield occupying a hybrid left-ten role—might maximize his contributions. The current squad’s wealth of wingers means the team is not yet structured around him, but that does not diminish his value. With 34 league games played, the evidence suggests Stansfield remains integral, worthy of starting in most matches.
Ultimately, while some question Stansfield’s recent shows, his overall contribution proves he remains the club’s best forward option this season. How Birmingham City develops their tactics and squad in the coming months will determine whether Stansfield thrives as a key figure next season—be it in the Championship or beyond.