Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has predicted Birmingham City striker Jay Stansfield to thrive in the Championship next year.
The 22-year-old signed for the Blues on a permanent basis last summer for a fee believed to be around £15 million. This followed his successful loan spell at St Andrew’s last season, where the attacker bagged 12 league goals, although was unable to prevent the club from being relegated to League One.
Due to the large fee, Stansfield has found himself under the microscope. Goals were the minimum requirement and he has hit 17 in the league in 29 appearances. However, with eight of those coming from the penalty spot, criticism has started to creep in.
Hendrie Tips Stansfield To Thrive In The Championship
Birmingham host Barnsley tomorrow afternoon as they continue to chase down the League One title. They currently sit 11 points clear at the top and more importantly, 14 points above Wycombe Wanderers in third.
An instant return to the Championship appears to be a formality, where former Aston Villa midfielder predicts Stansfield to shine. Speaking to Football League World, he said:
“You look at the goals. He has scored 17 times this season and nine of those are from open play, something that doesn’t concern me one single bit at all.
“I think he can jump into the Championship and continue what he’s doing in League One and I think it’ll be a little bit of a different style and that’s why it doesn’t concern me in the slightest.
“If anything, it will suit him better playing in the Championship against teams who want to play football, and I think that’s where you’ll start seeing his quality shine even more with Stansfield.”
Continuing, Hendrie stated that Birmingham will get stronger next season whilst building the team around the England under-21 international:
“I know that they paid a lot of money for him and for me, it doesn’t concern me one single bit. I think he’s proven that he can do it in League One, which people think is really easy. I don’t think it is.
“They’ll make the squad around him stronger for next season when they certainly get promoted.”
Writer’s View
In the social media era, people are quick to criticise Stansfield’s numbers. He may have scored a lot of penalties but he’s also won plenty of them too. He’s already proven he can handle it in the Championship and he will continue to be the focal point of Birmingham’s attack next season.
