Jay Stansfield warned what's key to Premier League step-up - Birmingham City need to see 'changes' | OneFootball

Jay Stansfield has endured a frustrating two-month period in front of goal for Blues

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City's club-record signing, Jay Stansfield, has been urged to improve his game in one key area amid claims that he can become a Premier League star across the remainder of his career.

Stansfield's performances have often been in the limelight at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park - for one reason or another - ever since the England youth international striker became the subject of a record-breaking eight-figure transfer agreement between Blues and Fulham on transfer deadline day back in August 2024.

Despite coming in for criticism from opposition supporters during matches or on social media, Birmingham supporters have often been the first to jump to Stansfield's defence, with there continuing to be a high amount of pressure on the 23-year-old's shoulders as a result of the aforementioned price-tag and the club's overall ambitions under the ownership of Knighthead Capital Management.

It has been an inconsistent season, in truth, for last campaign's League One champions, who have harboured ambitions of immediately reaching the Championship play-offs under Chris Davies.

Blues could have gone into the weekend - in which they are facing off against Premier League opponents, Leeds United in the FA Cup - in sixth place, but missed out on the opportunity to do so after a frustrating goalless draw against local rivals, West Bromwich Albion.

It was another game which Stansfield struggled to make his presence felt in, and it, therefore, wasn't the greatest of surprises when he was replaced by £6m January buy, August Priske, 13 minutes into the second period.

Despite a run of one goal in his last 15 appearances, Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, believes Stansfield can, eventually, make the grade in the top-flight, but that there are elements of his game which must be ironed out beforehand.

Birmingham City ace Jay Stansfield urged to "bulk up" as Premier League future claim made

It has been well-documented that, throughout his time as a permanent member of Blues' squad, that Stansfield has been utilised in an array of positions.

Such feats have continued into the current season, with Davies often alternating between himself and Marvin Ducksch as to who features in the 'number 10' role and who is seen as the most natural centre-forward option, depending on the opposition.

Moore also believes that Stansfield must build up his physicality over time, as he has sometimes struggled in battles against opposing defenders, evidenced throughout his current spell, in which his recent goal against Leicester City was his first since November 22nd.

"I think Jay Stansfield can, 100 percent, make it as a Premier League player," Moore told FLW. "But, there's a few caveats to that.

"Firstly, I think there needs to be a discussion as to whether he's a striker. I watch him a lot, and I still, hand on heart, can't work out his best position," he added.

"He's too small, and a bit weak for me, to lead the line as a lone striker and he goes missing. Does he come in as the '10' and play there? I don't think that suits him. Is he a left-winger? Potentially. I think he's been alright at left-wing.

"I don't think he knows his best position. Chris Davies seems to think he's a striker. But for me, I don't think he is," Moore continued.

"He makes some good runs to be able to play as a striker, but I don't know. Maybe he's one of those players who can play across the 'four' and can do a job wherever.

"I think, if he's going to make it in the Premier League, the main thing he has to do is 'bulk up'," Moore claimed.

"He needs to start hitting the gym. Granted, he's still only young, but at 23, you need to start thinking about 'bulking up' if you're going to be a big 'powerhouse' Premier League player.

"His build's not like that, and it really lets him down at times.

"For me, he needs to settle on a position. I don't think the 'nine' is it, not for the way we play.

"I think he can make it. But, there has to be changes in his game, and he has to work on himself. I don't see it as the same Jay Stansfield that joined us on loan from Fulham to begin with.

"He's got a lot of work to do to make it as a Premier League striker for me. Right here, right now, I'm one of the Blues fans who's saying he should be dropped, and I'd start Priske," he stated.

Jay Stansfield must improve over time to prove Premier League claims are justified

With a record of 21 goals and seven assists in 75 appearances at Championship level so far, there is no doubting that Stansfield knows where the net is when he is full of confidence.

However, such levels have certainly taken a hit in recent weeks, even though Blues have enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten streak in that timeframe.

As Moore alluded to, the striker has drifted in and out of games, which hasn't been helped by the fact he has featured in several positions without necessarily pinning down a regular spot on the wing, as a '10' or as a 'nine'.

Prior to his arrival last month, the aforementioned Priske was described as a "complete forward", which certainly generated plenty of hype at St. Andrew's, and it is no surprise that there is a clamour for Davies to hand the Dane his first start after seeing a last-gasp winner against West Brom ruled out for offside.