Chris Davies lifts lid on complex Jay Stansfield and Alfie May dilemma at Birmingham City

Blues tend to operate with just one out-and-out forward under Davies, just as they did with the likes of John Eustace, Wayne Rooney and Tony Mowbray. Changing to a two-up formation could disrupt the flow, especially as there are already several tactical ideas the new-look squad are familiarising themselves with.

It’s a given that Stansfield, sensationally signed for £16 million plus £4.1 million in add-ons from Fulham on deadline day, will start every week. May, who was the League One Golden Boot winner last term and has started the new campaign with four goals in four games, simply has to play too.

Davies was asked about the dilemma after Birmingham’s 1-1 draw with Walsall in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. The manager, explaining an experiment he conducted during that fixture, insisted it’s definitely possible to thrive with both players in the lineup.

“With Jay, he’s a player that I see more running in behind, on the shoulder, making those movements. He can drop and link a little bit,” Davies told Birmingham Live.

“Today was a bit of an experiment in terms of playing them both together and seeing how they linked up. Jay can play as a nine, or a false nine or a 10. He can play out wide as well so he’s pretty flexible.

“But because he’s got good movement and makes good runs in behind, he’s good up on the last line,” Davies continued.

On Stansfield, Davies was also sure to back up his striker after chants were directed in his direction. Walsall taunted Stansfield for the mega transfer fee, which smashed the League One record by more than 400 per cent. 

“Ultimately, when people are singing songs about you it’s usually a good thing,” Davies said. “It’s because you are a good player and they want to upset you or rattle you a little bit. 

“He’s probably going to get a bit of that, I would say, but I don’t see that fazing him too much. I think it can be water off a duck’s back. I thought he coped with it pretty well.”