Chris Davies has categorized his Birmingham City squad into three distinct groups: established performers whose abilities are proven, new signings who must assert themselves, and those fighting to prove they still belong. While debates may swirl around many players, at the crucial forward positions, the focus is clear: Jay Stansfield and August Priske stand out.
Jay Stansfield firmly belongs to the first group. Signed for £15 million nearly two years ago, the 23-year-old has amassed 131 appearances and 46 goals, marking him as a key player. While recent form has dipped, few understand the club and perform for it like him. His place should be carefully secured for next season.
August Priske, on the other hand, is an example of a promising but still adapting acquisition. The £6 million young striker from overseas has played 11 games, showing both the potential that justified his signing and the learning curve that explains why he’s in the Championship rather than the Premier League.
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Priske must stamp his mark on the league just as defenders like Jake Cooper and Lloyd Jones have left theirs on him. While Stansfield’s ideal position remains somewhat flexible—whether as a number 9, second striker, or left-sided attacker—there is no doubt Priske is best suited to center-forward.
With seven games left in the season, Davies has a golden chance to pair these two promising strikers. Giving them time to gel could unlock new attacking dynamics for Birmingham. Stansfield playing alongside or just behind Priske feels like a natural next step—one that the manager is seriously contemplating.
“In the very short term, I have to evaluate their readiness and manage their minutes. August has been a long-term signing, Jay likewise, though he’s been here longer,” Davies explained.
“Adapting to the Championship has been a process for August, but there is definitely potential for those two to play together. They’ve done so twice—against Leeds it went fairly well; against Millwall, less so. But there’s definitely scope for it.”
Davies continued: “We have a big interest in developing these players because they belong to us. These are important considerations. Hopefully, August has recovered from his recent illness and can make an impact in the remaining matches.”
Priske’s limited recent appearances can be attributed in part to his recovery. Meanwhile, Marvin Ducksch has divided opinion, Stansfield is searching for form, and Kyogo Furuhashi has not worked out as hoped. Priske, often used as a Plan B and a target for long balls, must be better integrated to unlock his true potential.
The 22-year-old, who has yet to score for Birmingham, recently found the net for Denmark’s Under-21 side with a clinical near-post finish. Davies has taken notice: “He scored for the Denmark U21s despite little training or match time. That’s promising.”
Davies stressed the importance of teamwork around Priske: “He thrives on crosses because of his physicality, so we need players around him to create opportunities. In the Charlton game, he was isolated—next time, that has to change.”
Looking ahead, Davies sees the final stretch as vital for Priske to adapt and for Stansfield to rediscover his scoring touch. If both can deliver, Birmingham’s season—though inconsistent—could end on a hopeful note. Their goal is to build on these two strikers to push for promotion to the Premier League.