Chris Davies told to make Jay Stansfield change at Birmingham City as Pompey transfer wish raised | OneFootball

Blues' club-record signing has proven to be an opinion-splitter in recent times

Birmingham City star Jay Stansfield has certainly split opinion amongst supporters at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park and those of other clubs in recent times, largely due to the large sum of cash the club parted with to secure his services on a permanent basis.

Stansfield, 23, has been seen as one of the main figures of Knighthead Capital Management's high-profile rebuild in this part of Birmingham, which only grew stronger following the club's relegation to League One in 2024.

The England Under-21s international was a star performer for Blues that particular season whilst on loan from Premier League side, Fulham, before the club sent shockwaves through the footballing sphere, particularly in this country, for paying in excess of £15m to lure him back to B9 from Craven Cottage in what was Chris Davies' first transfer window in charge.

Since then, it has been a mixed time for both Birmingham and Stansfield on a collective and individual basis, as after starting last season with plenty of expectations on their shoulders, the club finished 10th in the Championship.

Despite also starting the current campaign in an encouraging manner, results-wise, Stansfield's goal tally isn't perhaps what it should be in the eyes of some, leading to further question marks.

Birmingham City urged to use Jay Stansfield 'correctly' with Portsmouth star eyed as part of plan

Action Images

So far in his Birmingham career, Stansfield has found the net 48 times in 148 appearances whilst also producing 12 assists, although, in the past year, his seasonal numbers have taken a hit, with his only goal so far this campaign being a stunning strike against Wolves on September 6th.

Davies has utilised the club-record signing in an array of positions aside from being the focal point of his attack, which includes the left-wing and 'number 10' position.

Therefore, despite scoring just three times in 2026, Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, has backed Stansfield, claiming that Davies needs to re-think how he uses the club's prized asset - and the plan to use him correctly also involves raiding divisional rival Portsmouth in January.

"He's lived up to it (his price-tag) for me," Moore told FLW.

"Don't get me wrong, he probably could score a few more goals. But, what he does for the team is the embodiment of what a Birmingham City player should be.

"To be honest, I don't think we use him right," Moore claimed. "There's a reason why for the (England) Under-21s, even if he wasn't fantastic, he was a striker. He is a striker and he says himself that he probably is a striker.

"Where does Chris Davies play him? As a '10' or a second striker. That's not his role.

"If you get a '10' that can find the passes between the lines, between the full-backs and centre-backs, Jay Stansfield will make those runs and score goals because he is a striker.

"That's where (Adrian) Segecic would have been absolutely fantastic as he'd play those balls in for Jay and he'd score goals.

Action images

"Jay Stansfield, 100% for me, has lived up to the price-tag," he added.

"Barring scoring 20 goals a season, what else do you want him to do? He's fantastic most games.

"Yes, he had a goal drought last season but he was fantastic most games. The effort he puts in is quality, and I don't have a bad word to say about him."

Birmingham City may make Jay Stansfield reshuffle in January

Action Images

No one can dispute that Stansfield's work-rate in royal blue isn't of such a high standard, especially when being played in a position which many argue doesn't get the best out of him.

However, for the short-term, a stronger number of goal contributions may have to be sacrificed for the greater good of Davies' squad, as Birmingham are severely lacking in 'number 10' options.

Stansfield has often been replaced by Paik Seung-ho, who, last season, was starting in a deeper midfield role and has since seen his long-term future at the club debated by FLW's fan pundit, while Marvin Ducksch's own situation at St. Andrew's has been well-documented.

Birmingham City will hope Jay Stansfield can still reach his full potential

Action Images

Stansfield obviously didn't negotiate the club-record price tag himself, and it is clear that, by his own admission, the pressure of such a valuation has weighed heavily on his shoulders at times.

However, through the signing of a seven-year contract, it was also obvious that Birmingham were buying not just into his current ability, but also his future potential.