Jay Stansfield says he is enjoying a different role at Birmingham City, and the forward’s latest goal only underlined why that matters for a side that is gathering momentum. His strike in Tuesday’s 3-0 home win over Millwall was his second goal of the season, and it arrived at a time when Birmingham City are starting to look far more settled.
Since the three-week international break, Birmingham City have won five of their six games. That is the kind of run that changes the mood around a club, and Stansfield pointed to the work done during that pause as a key reason for the improvement.
Stansfield: the break changed the picture
“We used the break to come together and work on a lot of things,” Stansfield said. “And you can see the improvement of the whole team in general. The starters and the bench players.”
That is an important point, because Birmingham City do not look like a team leaning on one or two individuals anymore. Stansfield was keen to stress the depth of the squad, saying: “The best teams are full of hungry players, raring to go,” and, “And everyone is in a good place.”
For a promoted side trying to establish itself back in the Championship, that kind of competition for places is valuable. It also helps explain why Birmingham City have been able to respond so positively after the break.
A different role for Stansfield
Stansfield’s own comments were just as revealing. He said: “The last few games I’ve really enjoyed and I’m developing more and more.” That fits with the way Birmingham City are now using him.
He explained that the team’s style has changed since last season, when they were “playing out from the back a lot” more often. Now, he said, they are “playing into a big striker in August,” which gives the whole attack a different structure. For Stansfield, that means more opportunities to do what he says he likes most: “I like to peel off the shoulder and get balls played in behind.”
That is a more natural fit for him than simply dropping deep and trying to knit moves together. He added that last season he “wasn’t doing much of that,” so the current setup appears to be bringing out a more instinctive part of his game.
Why the goals matter now
There is also a bigger milestone in sight. Stansfield is one goal away from becoming only the third Birmingham City player to reach 50 goals for the club in the past 40 seasons. That gives his form extra weight, especially after a run of seasons in which he has already shown his scoring value.
He scored 12 Championship goals in 2023-24, then 19 goals in League One in 2024-25 to help Birmingham City win promotion after his loan move from Fulham became a £15m permanent transfer. Last season, he added 10 goals in the Championship as Birmingham City finished 10th.
So this is not just about one good night against Millwall. It is about a forward who is settling into a new version of his role, a team that looks more connected, and a club that is beginning to build real momentum.
Stansfield also highlighted the impact of the players around him. “It’s important that other players are chipping in with the goals,” he said. “All the players we’ve brought on have done well.” He added: “And it’s so good to have direct wingers like Liam Millar and Demarai Gray who look to score goals.”
That spread of responsibility matters because it takes pressure off the centre-forward and makes Birmingham City harder to predict. Stansfield summed it up neatly: “Different people have been scoring, which helps us as forwards knowing someone else can step up and score,” and, “Our connection and understanding can only get better too.”
Birmingham City now turn to Saturday’s home match against Swansea City with confidence growing. If the current run continues, Stansfield’s new role may become one of the clearest signs that the team are moving in the right direction.
