In League One, Birmingham City has an abundance of quality at their disposal. But concerns regarding Alfie May’s involvement have surfaced since Jay Stansfield arrived.

Birmingham City is facing a selection dilemma due to the abundance of quality in Chris Davies’ squad, particularly when deciding who should lead the attacking line. Jay Stansfield, who joined on Deadline Day from Fulham for over £15 million, is considered a key player for the Blues. However, Alfie May, who arrived on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic, has been in excellent form, scoring four goals since the season began.

The challenge now lies in how to balance playing time between the two strikers, as Birmingham has traditionally favored a lone striker formation. However, in a recent EFL Trophy match against Walsall, Davies experimented with a two-man strike force featuring both Stansfield and May. The 1-1 draw, with the only Blues goal coming from Christoph Klarer, highlighted that the partnership still needs time to develop.

Davies addressed the experiment and Stansfield’s versatility, noting that he sees Stansfield as someone who can play in various positions, including as a number nine, false nine, or wide player. He acknowledged that while Stansfield’s movement is valuable, he may face challenges from opponents but believes he can handle the pressure well.

From a tactical perspective, Birmingham’s wealth of attacking options is both a blessing and a challenge. Experimenting with two strikers could lead to a formidable partnership, or force a difficult decision if the system doesn’t work. Despite these challenges, Birmingham’s significant investment in the transfer window, outspending other League One clubs by over £30 million, has raised expectations for promotion, leaving the fans eager for success.