Stansfield helped by psychologist over Blues move
‘Not too sure’ – Birmingham City man facing uncertain future as he addresses situation
Birmingham City striker Jay Stansfield says he spoke to a sports psychologist this season to help deal with the pressure of his big-money move to the League One champions from Fulham.
Blues paid the highest fee for any player in the history of the third tier when they spent £10m to bring the 22-year-old to the club permanently last summer, after a loan spell the season before.
And Stansfield’s superb performances, scoring 19 goals, spearheaded the club’s exceptional campaign as they stormed to the title with a record 111 points to seal an emphatic return to the Championship after one season away.
Stansfield never went more than five games without scoring as he netted 24 times in 46 appearances in all competitions.
Birmingham City defender Dion Sanderson has admitted he is ‘not too sure’ about his future this summer.
Despite the impressive return, Stansfield said he had to deal with a lot of scrutiny over the fee Blues paid and faced a hammering from opposition fans throughout the season.
“When I first came there was a lot of noise around it [the fee] and I took some stick about it. But that’s the game and I let my football do the talking,” Stansfield told BBC Radio WM.
“I wouldn’t say it weighed heavily [the price] but it got to the point in the season when it I thought ‘this is getting difficult’ and I had to find a way to manage it, to deal with it and I did that.
“I spoke to specialists around the club who know how to deal with big pressure moments so getting help from a football psychologist and learning to deal with things helped.
“It’s been tough getting absolutely hammered every game for no reason but I did my talking on the pitch and we’re in the Championship now and that’s all that matters.”
‘To get 17 players to bond is quickly is really special’
Stansfield was one of 17 new players brought in by Birmingham’s big-spending owners for a total of £25m with rookie boss Chris Davies charged with delivering an immediate return on that investment with a place in the second tier.
After experiencing relegation with Blues in his loan spell in 2023-24, when he scored 12 goals in 43 appearances, he said delivering promotion for the fans was a big motivation.
“The main aim was to repay them for what happened last season and getting this club back to the Championship and that’s what we’ve done,” he said.
“The gaffer’s kept us going and as you saw against [relegated] Cambridge [on the final day] – it’s the worst game of football to play in when both teams have got nothing to play for.
“But we found the motivation to get the record points.”
Stansfield also paid tribute to Davies’ powers of man-management as he got a new squad to gel so well.
“The gaffer said there were 17 players who had probably heard of each other but never spoken to each other and to get a group to come together so quickly and bond is really special.”
Birmingham City loaned out the centre-back to Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window. He will now return to BCFC for pre-season but has fallen down the pecking order.
Sanderson, 25, made 12 appearances following his switch to Ewood Park during the second half of this past season. He is under contract with the Blues until the summer of 2027 meaning he still has a couple of years left to run down.
Regarding his situation, he has told RoversTV: “I am not too sure if I am honest. It is the first time I can say everything is a bit up in the air. We will just have to wait and see, in my off-season I will be working anyway. Whatever happens, I will be ready for it.”
He added: “I can see myself maybe coming back here (Blackburn Rovers and watching a game or two and, you never know, I could be playing again, who knows? But from my time that I’ve spent here, it has been real great for me.
“It has been incredible, I’ve really enjoyed it. The fans took me in as if I was one of their own and I couldn’t appreciate them any more, they have made me feel at home.”
Birmingham City latest regarding Dion Sanderson
Birmingham City have a decision to make regarding the future of Sanderson. He is unlikely to break into BCFC’s starting XI under Chris Davies.
He has seen his game time with the Blues dry up over recent times, hence why he was sent to Blackburn Rovers. It remains to be seen whether Rovers would want him back.
Sanderson rose up through the academy ranks at Wolves. He was a regular for them at various different youth levels and played once for their first-team.
The Wednesfield-born man was loaned out to Cardiff City, Sunderland and QPR. Birmingham City then signed him on a temporary basis before landing him permanently.
What now for Dion Sanderson at Birmingham City?
Cutting ties with Sanderson would free up space and funds in Birmingham City’s ranks to pave the way for new arrivals. That seems the most likely outcome for the BCFC man.
The Blues have an important few months in store as they look to bolster their options. They have the chace to inject some more quality into their squad.
Birmingham City stormed to the League One title and set a record points tally in the process. They won 2-1 away at Cambridge United on the final day.
For more BCFC news direct to your phone, CLICK HERE to download our mobile app!
