Jay Stansfield has revealed that messages of support from Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner helped keep his confidence high before he ended his goal drought against Wolves. The 23-year-old forward scored his first goal of the campaign in the 2-2 draw at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Sunday, lashing home the team's first equaliser.
Stansfield had been on a barren run of two goals in his previous 36 games and missed three gilt-edged chances in the week prior to the Wolves match. However, Wagner's presence in the stadium for the first time since suffering a stroke in February inspired Stansfield's return to the scoresheet.
Wagner's return lifts the squad
“Tom is a special person so for him to be here and knowing he’s recovering well is really positive,” said Stansfield. “He gave the stadium a massive lift. That’s what Tom’s character is, he puts smiles on people’s faces. As a team, for us to walk out and see him there and for the crowd to be singing his name is special for him as well.”
Wagner, who made Stansfield Birmingham City's most expensive buy ever two years ago, has been in regular contact with the squad during his recovery. Stansfield added: “He’s been in contact a lot more in the last few weeks which is good, giving me confidence, trying to push the team, saying everything is going to be good and things.”
“He kept saying ‘I’ll see you soon’ so I was waiting for the time to be able to go and see him. I’m really looking forward to going to see him and making sure he’s alright and having a good conversation with him.”
Stansfield's return to form
Head coach Chris Davies has restored Stansfield to the centre of Blues' attack in the last three games, and improved performances, individually and collectively, have followed. There were times last season when Stansfield's lack of involvement inside the penalty area prompted cause for concern, but a goal has felt inevitable of late, and it arrived in spectacular fashion against Wolves.
Opening up on his missed chances, Stansfield said: “The one at Wrexham I should be putting in the back of the net but I forgot that early and did my job for the team. Against Southampton I go through one on one and hit the post, I just needed it to ricochet into the back of the net. It didn’t and that puts your confidence down a bit, then the header comes and I should be putting that away.”
“It was about not losing my confidence and forgetting about them, making sure my all-round game is on point and I know the goals will come. I didn’t have to think about it (goal versus Wolves) and they’re the easy ones, all instinct and hopefully that can kick-start my season.”
Blues remain unbeaten
Birmingham City remain unbeaten in the Championship after a tough start in terms of fixtures, but Davies is keen to turn draws into wins, starting at Norwich City on Wednesday. Stansfield and his teammates have taken confidence from their recent showings.
“Southampton are a very good team and we didn’t really give them much. Again, Wolves are a very good team and they will cause a lot of teams problems this year, but we limited their key threats, pressed them high and probably should have come out with the win,” Stansfield said.
“We’ve been superb in the last three games with our overall performance, the understanding between the whole team has been good, and it’s another tough game on Wednesday but I’m sure we can go there with a lot of confidence.”
