Jay Stansfield has opened up about how a trio of Birmingham City signings have transformed his mindset during a challenging period in front of goal. The striker, who recently spoke to BirminghamLive following Blues' 1-1 draw with Stoke City, revealed a newfound sense of relaxation that contrasts sharply with how he might have reacted to similar circumstances earlier in his career.
Learning to Cope with Goal Droughts
Currently experiencing his longest run without scoring since his loan spell at Exeter City as a teenager, Stansfield has gone 12 matches without finding the net. This represents the most barren patch of his Birmingham career, which has otherwise yielded an impressive 45 goals across 120 appearances.
"You can see that I haven't scored for 12 games but I've learnt how to deal with that and not let it get to me," Stansfield explained. "I will be buzzing when I can get that goal again and get back on a run, but as long as I'm still contributing in different ways that's all I'm here for."
The 23-year-old striker acknowledged that last season he would have allowed such a drought to affect him psychologically, but he has since developed resilience through working with sports psychologists and adopting a more team-oriented perspective.
Summer Signings Ease the Pressure
Stansfield attributes much of his improved mental state to Birmingham City's summer recruitment drive, which brought in Marvin Ducksch, Kyogo Furuhashi, and most recently August Priske for £6 million. These additions have fundamentally changed the dynamic of Blues' attack and relieved Stansfield of the burden to carry the team's goal-scoring responsibilities alone.
"When you've got the other talent around me, I know I can rely on them to score as well, it's not just me having to score," Stansfield revealed. "It's taken that edge away from me and made me be able to enjoy football more knowing that I can go out and be relaxed."
The striker has developed a particularly effective partnership with Ducksch, with the pair becoming interchangeable in Chris Davies' preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Their understanding allows Birmingham to vary their attacking approach, switching between intricate passing moves and more direct play when necessary.
Versatility and Continued Contribution
Despite his goal drought, Stansfield remains Birmingham City's most influential attacking player with eight goals and five assists in the Championship this season. His versatility has seen him deployed in multiple positions, including as a number ten and even out wide on the left flank against Stoke City.
"I'm still not sure where my favourite position is," Stansfield admitted. "Wherever the gaffer needs me to play is where I'll play. I quite enjoyed going out onto the left and trying to create chances. It's a different game and you need to change straight away."
The striker's willingness to adapt his game and contribute in various ways demonstrates his maturity and team-first mentality. While he acknowledges the challenges of playing as a traditional number nine when Birmingham opt for a more direct approach, he continues to find ways to impact matches positively.
A Transformed Approach to Performance
Stansfield's journey from a striker who would lose sleep over goal droughts to one who maintains perspective and continues contributing speaks volumes about his personal development. The support network at Birmingham City, including both new teammates and psychological resources, has created an environment where he can thrive even during challenging periods.
As Birmingham City continue their Championship campaign, Stansfield's relaxed approach and the strengthened attacking options around him suggest that both the striker and the team are well-positioned to overcome temporary setbacks and push for success in the remainder of the season.
