I we’ve got a bit of a problem when it comes to Jay Stansfield – and I say that with nothing but respect and admiration for him as a player.
First off, massive congratulations to him for playing such a selfless and important role in helping England U21s win the Euros (I think it’ll be overlooked by the wider football world). That says a lot about his character. He’s been a talisman for us – not just for what he does on the pitch, but also for what he represents under Knighthead. He embodies the direction the club is trying to go in, and that’s a big reason why we signed him.
But the problem – or rather, the challenge – has become clearer through his recent performances for England.
For me, he’s not a natural number 9. He doesn’t have the instinctive movement or striker’s mentality that someone like Jamie Vardy has – even though they share some physical similarities like pace and build. That’s not a criticism, just an observation about his most effective role.
Out wide on the right, he works hard and puts in the extra yards, but defensively he can be a bit vulnerable. He gets beaten too easily at times, which can expose us.I know that wasn’t his role last night and he was just putting extra yards but that was highlighted for everyone to see last night.
His best position, in my opinion, is as an inverted forward on the left – in a counter-attacking setup, like what we had under Eustace. But in a more positive, possession-based system –like Daviesball – playing him there creates a different issue: you lose the chance to play a natural wide man to hold the width, or another proper inverted left winger. You lose out on an, Anderson, Gray, and, I’d even prefer Hansson in that role.
So I think, for the time being, we’ll continue to see Jay used as a number 9 – even though I don’t think that’s where he’s at his best. As he develops, he might grow into a central number 10 role, but I do think we’re heading toward a bit of a dilemma: where do we play him, and how do we get the best out of him in this team?
Just to be clear, this isn’t a dig at him. It’s not about his ability or effort – far from it.
In fact, there were so many halves of football last season where I thought, we’ve been decent, but we’re missing something – except Jay. He was often the standout. I’m a proud Blue, and I love players who leave everything on the pitch. He plays with heart, and the fact that he can create something out of nothing – and do it regularly – is incredible.
Maybe he just needs a bit of a break. He’s young and super fit, and I know he’ll probably get a week off, but honestly, I’d give him three and tell him not to think about football at all. Let him recharge properly – he’s earned it.
I think he can be a very good number 9, just maybe unlucky he is playing in an era of football where teams only play with 1 striker. I think he would improve massively if he had a target man with him to give him more time and space in and around the box.
It's been something I have always wondered with him.
What is his best position.
Some of his best goals have been when he's following up the play and lashing shots in , almost from a no.10 position.
He doesn't have the flair to be a 10 but he's a good second striker.
That being said vardy didn't really blossom as a number 9 until his late 20s, Jay needs to add a bit more strength but he could certainly still be a quality number 9 with more experience.
Looks a very good player to me and we are very lucky to have him.
The day after he got a winners medal after playing as a 9 maybe isn’t the time for questioning him. (I have btw and Carsley)
Let the bastards revel in it and have a few days off.
If you’re reading this site full of lunatics Jay, good on ya. Worked yer tits off and let others play. Huge reason why we won the tournament
He’s unfortunately one of these players that needs everyone around him to play to his strengths to get the best out of him. I dare say he kind of needs his hand holding at times as he isn’t too great at holding the ball up.
He unfortunately doesn’t have some of the most important qualities you need to be a very good winger. He hasn’t got an eye for a pass, not particularly good at dribbling either so for me that’s a no go.
What we have got is a lad with a ridiculous strike on him from central areas (you don’t see as many goals from him where he cuts inside and curls it or drills it across the keeper from the right hand side) and a ridiculous work rate. I think it’s easier to fine tune him as a 9 than turn him into a dribbler and a crosser/passer on the wing.
I think an experienced, top quality striker who’s actually better than him right now could be good, he can learn off him and not have as much pressure on him.
A couple of top quality wingers who can beat a man, run past or through the opposition back line and actually cut passes back to Jay will transform the way he plays and the pictures he sees. That’s kind of what you are getting at isn’t it, we want him to be facing the goal rather than what he’s doing now, playing with his back to goal a lot which really doesn’t help him and exposes his weaknesses.
WorcesterbluesA couple of top quality wingers who can beat a man, run past or through the opposition back line and actually cut passes back to Jay will transform the way he plays and the pictures he sees. That’s kind of what you are getting at isn’t it, we want him to be facing the goal rather than what he’s doing now, playing with his back to goal a lot which really doesn’t help him and exposes his weaknesses.
It’s a very very small sample size and at a top level but he started the last few games and surely he had that and didn’t look great.
*although like I said he played a very important and selfless role in England’s success that will be overlooked by many observers (but not by those who matter)
All this Jay stuff just reminds me of the Chris Wood saga - "what does the bloke add other than scoring goals?" 🤦♂️
People over think this stuff to try and sound knowledgeable.
TarquinLooks a very good player to me and we are very lucky to have him.
Yes but where do you play him. We’ve all but actually got Gray, we’ll get a couple more wingers as well. If we get Kyogo, where do you play Stanno? Do you play Stanno?
It seems they become two players fighting for one spot.
Up front mate.
The positive he has excelled in for club and country .
JourneyOnI don't think he did have that at all, because, as you say, his role was something different. He was the panic button to let others do the work.It’s a very very small sample size and at a top level but he started the last few games and surely he had that and didn’t look great.
*although like I said he played a very important and selfless role in England’s success that will be overlooked by many observers (but not by those who matter)
I can’t believe how so many don’t see it
He’s scored goals for us at championship level in a terrible relegated side with adding more creativity he’s going to outscore that season at least
People are weird