"I can be myself and be more free" | Jay Stansfield on his new role at Birmingham

Sky Sports Football

Jay Stansfield on his new Birmingham City role, the season's start and his goals

In this Sky Sports interview, Birmingham City forward Jay Stansfield discusses the team's start to the season and the new system. He says the football is more enjoyable but too many draws have come from missed chances, and he also talks about his new role, the manager's demand for "football arrogance", Tom Wagner's faith and his promotion and England ambitions. Overall, he is focused on turning draws into wins, settling into one position and continuing to develop.

► Subscribe to Sky Sports Football: http://bit.ly/SSFootballSub ► Watch Sky Sports with NOW: https://bit.ly/NOWFootballYT Birmingham City forward Jay Stansfield discusses the start to the season, his new role in the system and more. efl eflchampionship birmingham Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:40 - Start to season 04:33 - Role in system 08:05 - Goal vs Wolves 08:46 - Tom Wagner 11:22 - Ambitions 13:05 - Midlands derby 14:21 - England ► EFL highlights: https://bit.ly/EFLHighlights2627 ► EFL Cup highlights: https://bit.ly/CarabaoCupHL ► SPFL highlights: https://bit.ly/SPFLHighlights2627 ► Bundesliga highlights: https://bit.ly/BundesligaHighlights2627 ► Buy this season’s shirts: https://bit.ly/SkySportsShop More from Sky Sports on YouTube: ► Sky Sports: http://bit.ly/SkySportsSub ► Sky Sports Boxing: http://bit.ly/SSBoxingSub ► Sky Sports Cricket: http://bit.ly/SubscribeSkyCricket ► Sky Sports Darts: https://bit.ly/SubSkySportsDarts ► Sky Sports F1: http://bit.ly/SubscribeSkyF1 ► Sky Sports Golf: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsGolf ► Sky Sports News: http://bit.ly/SkySportsNewsSub ► Sky Sports Premier League: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsPL ► Sky Sports Retro: http://bit.ly/SkySportsRetroSub ► Sky Sports WSL: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsWSL ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkySportsFootball ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skysportsfootball ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skysportsfootball / https://www.tiktok.com/@skysportswsl ► X: https://x.com/SkyFootball / https://x.com/SkySportsWSL ► Website: https://www.skysports.com ► To enquire about licensing Sky Sports content, you can find out more here: https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/31754/11434270/license-sky-sports-footage

Transcript

He speaks about football arrogance. I think last year I struggled a lot away from home. A lot I let other things get to my head. The referees, fans. >> Quite the international break, hasn't it? Three weeks. Something a bit different, but after a hectic start, I bet it's been quite nice to have a bit of a breather, hasn't it? >> Yeah, it's been nice. I think um it's been a really busy start to the season. Um it's been a very long international break. um something we'll have to get used to now, but um I feel like we're raring to go um again on Saturday, which is probably probably a good thing. I think we've worked on what we needed to work on um during them three weeks. So, um yeah, we're looking forward to getting back at it. >> How do you assess it all so far because you're 10th in table, two points outside those playoff places? What your reflections? >> Yeah, I think it's it's been a really good start from from our end, I think. I think um we've been playing a lot more of an exciting football. Um, it's been more enjoyable to watch, more enjoyable to to play in. And I think it's sort of the new the new style that we're going with now. And, um, it's been really successful. I think the games we drew, we we should have come out on top. And that's sort of what we've been working on now is making sure we put our chances away. And, um, defensively, we're more strong, but um, yeah, it's been a really good start. >> Yeah, you mentioned there the games you've been drawing. So, five out of your eight matches so far, the points have been shared. They've all had different circumstances. Some of them you've been behind, other one there's been late goals conceded. Do you feel like it's been more points dropped or gains? How do you look at those draws? >> Yeah, obviously it's been points dropped because uh we've missed big chances in the games and we've conceded some sloppy goals, but then points could be massive at the end of the season. So, um we sort of take the point and move on, but we look at the performances and that we've been putting in and they've been a lot more a lot more promising. We're looking like a different animal now. So, um, yeah, it's it's disappointing that we haven't got them the wins that we could have got, but um, like I said, they them points could be massive at the end of the season. >> This is it cuz those drawers, they've been against some big sides, haven't they? What with Wolves, Southampton, Bristol City, Burough most recently. I suppose it's not until May you'll see how important those points are. But it is it is such a competitive league, isn't it, this season? Yeah, I think it's the teams that are in the championship this this season are are very very good teams and um we see ourselves as as one of them good teams and we need to make sure we go out every week and and show people that and I think the first eight games I think we have um our away record last year was a bit up and down um but we've we've sorted that out. We've matured as players. we've come up with a plan um how to go away and be tough to beat but also to go and get three points away from home and um this season it's shown it's shown massively. So, um, that's a big credit to us as players, but also the gaffer and the staff for for putting that into us. And, um, like I said, we we spoke at the start of the season about how we could be better from last season and that was our away form and I think we've had a good start of doing that. >> Within those draws that you have had though and where perhaps you have feel points have been dropped, are there any kind of overarching factors? You mentioned there that over the break there's been areas of improvement that you've been focusing on. Is there anything that you need to do that bit better now to to turn those draws into wins? >> Yeah, I think the only the only way you win games is is score goals and not concede one. So, um I think we've been working a lot on of our um attacking play and making sure we put our big chances away. Um and like we said before, it will all click soon and then chances that we miss will all fall our way and go in at one point. So, it's just keep doing the right habits, keep doing the right things that that we're good at and yeah, hopefully we can turn them draws into into wins. >> Is that it? Is it just about keeping the faith because it's such a talented group of attacking players. I mean across the pitch now we can see stylistically all of you are pressing harder. There's a real attacking threat it feels amongst the team but in terms of getting those chances making it something more meaningful. Is it is it just about doing what you're doing? >> Yeah, definitely. I think we'd be a bit worried if we weren't creating them chances and having them opportunities. So, um, for us it's just making sure we, um, put them big moments away. And that's that's where we're learning as a team is, um, we need players to be able to step up and and put them chances away to help the team win. And, um, the same for defenders, but we we sort of see defenses, all of us together. We press, we press all together. We help each other defend. So, um, yeah, hopefully it will um it will click soon and and we'll be putting them putting them away. >> Yeah. You talk about it clicking. It's a bit of a new system, isn't it? What about your role in that? How are you finding adapting to this more fluid, a bit more direct way of playing? >> Yeah, it's been it's been really enjoyable. I think I've sort of had a a role where I can be myself and be a bit more free in my position. I think it suits me suits me a lot. I think um being as the nine, you sort of got to be up there and be holding balls up winning headers. So, um, for me to be able to play with, um, with strikers and be able to run off them is is helping my game a lot, but also having the confidence, um, in myself to be able to drop out into different positions and get on the ball because I think last year I sort of come in my shell a bit maybe. And didn't really express what I could do. And I think this year I'm my confidence is building and I'm getting into different positions, um, dropping deeper, going out wide, and sort of being a bit more fluid in my game. and I think it's it's helping me a lot, but also helping the team create chances as well. >> Yeah, it sounds like you're you're really happy in the role. Does it bother you that perhaps at this moment in time it hasn't quite translated to as many goals? >> Um, yeah. No, different points. I think obviously when you're playing as the nine, um, everything's goals, goals, goals. And also as a 10, um, you obviously want your numbers to be up, but it's a long season. I'm sure I can pick up some goals and assists um in different games, but my my main aim is developing as a person and a player in that position and being able to to help the team, but also focus more on one position and making sure I crack that position. I feel like the last few years I've been playing on the left, striker, ten, and I sort of someone can ask me what position is your best one and I'll be like I enjoy all three. So, um I want to really um focus on one position and make sure I can make myself the best player in that position um for the team, but also for myself. >> How is the manager Chris Davis talking to you about your role and your responsibility in this team now? >> Yeah, he's um given me a lot of a lot of help. I think it's obviously a different role from last year, but he speaks about football arrogance. Um and that's in in a good way. not being being cocky or anything, but having that going out on a weekend and I think last year I struggled a lot away from home a lot and let other things get to my head, referees, fans, um, which affected my game a bit. And this year I've sort of focused on just focusing on my game and, um, like I said, having that football arrogance of that's dropping out and just getting on the ball and even if it's making a bounce, being involved in the game constantly rather than waiting for the the ball to come to me. And I think that's that's helped. That's helped a lot. >> I think it's interesting you say that cuz now the Wolves performance and goal, it makes even more sense when you talk about that football arrogance and just taking it to a team like Wolves. >> Football arrogance seems it seems different. You can look at it in different ways, but the way we look at is as a team and what the Gaffer spoke to me is having a character that you take it on the chest. you go out, you express yourself and to have that freedom and um the faith from him to be able to go out and do that on a on a weekend is it's helped me ma massively and it's sort of given me a boost and a confidence that I can go out and do it. I think coming out my shell and playing in a different position, but also getting on the half turn, taking shots from outside the box and and trying new things. And I think that's where the development comes in is is I know it's I'm playing every game week in week out, but I'm still learning learning as a player. So, um, yeah, it's it's really good and really enjoyable. >> Speaking of enjoyment, how good did it feel to hit the back of the net in that game against WS? It was some strike. >> Yeah, it was it was really good. I think, like I said, if you go on a goal drought, it's it's not nice and that seems to something that I've been focusing on a lot is making sure that them goal droughts don't last for too long. And I can try and be a consistent goal scorer. And I think that's what I can add to my game. I think um you see some of the best strikers, they they score every game and they're there every game and that's something I need to work on and add to my game, but I I feel confident enough to be able to once I get going and um find the net again, then I'm sure I can carry on that that goal. It >> was a it was a great day, wasn't it, that day and I suppose made even more special by Tom Wagner watching on um you got such a special relationship with him. must been really tough these last few months just hearing that he's been ill. But positive is he he does seem to be making a good recovery. Yeah, it's it's good that he's making a good recovery and um like you said, it g us a massive lift um on that Wolves game and just to see him in the stands and and you're walking out gives a gives the crowd a massive boost and but also us as players to go out and see someone who's taken so much time and um effort into the team, into the squad, and also into the club to go out and repay back to him at a at a good time is is yeah, it's a pleasure to be able to do that. But um yeah, like you said um feel like we have a good relationship. When when I first joined here, he had faith in me. He backed me all the way. And even when times got tough during League One, he always messaged me saying, "Stay confident. Do this, do that." Um and that helps massively if you have that connection um with someone with someone like that, it does it does help. And um I got a message from him before the Wolves game saying just go out and be yourself and I'm sure you you'll score. And obviously that happened. So um yeah, it was a great feeling, a great day. um disappointed not to get three points, but um yeah, we we challenge ourselves against a really good team. So, um yeah, it was a really good day. >> I suppose it can be quite unusual to have a player that has a relationship like that with someone so high up in in the hierarchy at a football club. How would you describe it? Is you almost got that kind of father figure to you? >> Yeah, it's um it is special. I think it's a credit to him and I can't thank him enough for the opportunity that he gave me to come back to to this football club. Um I think we had a lot of the first season we were in the championship we had we built a good relationship. He liked the way I I pressed got around the pitch and also showed my quality and for him to have faith in me and bring me back to here at um a crucial time in my career. I think it was I was looking at it and I needed first team football week in week out and a lot of people ask questions why I moved back to to Birmingham and um it's probably a decision that I'll never look back on. It's it's changed my life and also my family's life as well. So um yeah, it's been really really good and like you said a father figure. Um just even the little messages that he that he sends, you sort of you sort of read him and you think like let's go out and do do that for him. So, um, yeah, it's it's really good and I'm so privileged to be able to to one wear a Birmingham City shirt, but to have such a close relationship with him. >> I mean, you sound so highly motivated. We are so early on in the season, but in that dressing room, how are you talking about not just the start you've made, but what's to come? >> Yeah, I think from when the gaffer come in, we've always taken each game as it comes. I think if we have a bad game, we reflect on it and we move on. And I think that's the mentality we have in the dressing room. We take it game by game and don't look too much of the outcome. We look at how we're developing as players and as a team. Um and yeah, it's really exciting. I think it's such a hard league this year, but there's obviously eight there's different a different um way of the playoffs this year. So, um, we'll be pushing and we'll be we'll be looking to to try and get into them, but like I said, we're just taking each game as it comes and making sure we're we're a better team every game. >> Yeah. With it now being the top eight effectively, does it feel that bit more accessible? Do you feel the doors have opened slightly more? >> Yeah, but no, at the same time, because obviously there's a lot of a lot of good teams in in this league, so um we still need to we still want to finish as high as high as possible. um even though there's a an extra two places, we still need to be be up there and and fighting at the at the top of the league. And that's that's the mentality we have in in the dressing room. But also, we have a we need we we're realistic about the season. We we sort of we look at the season um and we deal with it at the end at the end, if you get what I mean. We're sort of >> we take every game as it comes, but obviously it's a really long season. anything can happen and um the teams this year in the championship are tough and it's really competitive. So like I said, anything can happen on come come the last few weeks of the championship. >> Yeah, for now you've got another one of those promotion contenders this weekend. Another Midlands derby. How do you see it? >> Yeah, it's good. It's been a long a long three weeks like I said um before, but we're we're raring to go and I'm sure they will be as well. And um yeah, it'll be a really good a really good game and a good a good test for us. They've they've started really well as well. So um we'll be up for it and ready and ready for the fight. >> Yeah, these occasions they're always such amazing atmospheres. Do you feel that as the players does it add an extra little sprinkle of something when it's a bit of a derby game? >> Yeah, definitely. I think got to control our emotions and not let not let the occasion get to us, but make sure we go out and we're we're physical, we're um doing our best, but also bringing our quality and and trying to win the game. >> I suppose away from home again, a chance to showcase that football arrogance that you're talking about. >> Yeah, definitely. [laughter] I think we need that as a team and I think we've we've got that a lot this season. And I think um the Rexen game as an example, we went away last year, we probably would have would have drew that game and I think this year we've got a different power, a different power in us and that set pieces or someone with a moment of quality and that we we have that this year. So um yeah, like I said, it's an away game and we we'll be looking to get three points again. >> For now, your eyes firmly focused on Birmingham City, a club football this season, but you are an England international. also had great success with the England under 21s, the European champion just last year. >> Do you have Euro 2028 on your radar at all when you look to your ambitions and what you're targeting over the next couple of years? >> Um yeah, I think you've got you got to be ambitious, but you've also got to be realistic at the same time. I think um as a player you obviously dream for playing for your country and it would be it would be a dream come true but like I said you got to be realistic and I need to to work on a lot of other things to be able to get to that point. But um I I'll keep working and um if it comes to that then it'll be an amazing feeling. But um for the minute I'm just making sure that I'm I'm developing and um contributing in in the right ways for for Birmingham and we'll see what happens. >> All right. Lovely stuff. Well, good luck this weekend. >> Thank you. Thank you.