Jay Stansfield is assured he might be the person to fireplace England into the quarter-finals of the Beneath-21 Euros after boss Lee Carsley hinted at mixing up his workforce this week.
Liam Delap’s absence, having joined up with Chelsea and headed off to the Membership World Cup, meant that England’s kids headed to Slovakia this summer time with out a conventional No 9.
That absence wasn’t felt within the opening 3-1 win over Czech Republic however turned far more of a speaking level after they had been shutout by Slovenia in recreation two, taking their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals to the ultimate group recreation in opposition to Germany.
Stansfield is the closest factor Carsley has to 1 however the Birmingham Metropolis attacker, who scored 24 instances for the Blues final season en path to successful League One, has been restricted to 2 cameo appearances thus far.
‘I’ve received to be assured and present perception in myself and if I get that chance to place the ball behind that web then that is one thing I like doing,’ he mentioned.
‘It is an incredible feeling to do this for my membership however I am certain it’s going to be much more particular for England.’
Jay Stansfield (proper) has been restricted to 2 cameo appearances within the first two video games
Boss Lee Carsley admitted the Birmingham Metropolis attacker gave him meals for thought this week
Within the final 20 minutes of the Slovenia match Stansfield confirmed the distinction of getting a participant comfy within the No 9 place on the pitch by way of runs in behind and stretching the play.
Whereas he has performed each vast left and vast proper for Birmingham, in addition to at No 10, the No 9 function is one he relishes and can be greater than prepared to shoulder the duty of in opposition to Germany on Wednesday evening.
‘I fairly take pleasure in it,’ Stansfield added.
‘I do not get to play it a lot with this group of lads, but it surely’s a privilege to be right here and have the ability to play with some superb gamers.
‘So to be in that place the place I can play because the No 9 or anyplace else is nice for me.
‘All through my youth profession I’ve performed as a lone No 9. So if it comes right down to that, I do know what I am doing.’
The sensation at Birmingham Metropolis is that Stansfield operates greatest when operating in behind and attempting to pin defenders again by taking part in on the shoulder.
Carsley may see flashes of that and after a shutout in opposition to Slovenia, the England Beneath-21’s boss admitted he had ‘meals for thought’ following the affect of Stansfield and his different substitutes.
Stansfield is the closest factor England Beneath-21’s should a conventional No 9 at this event
‘Jay did effectively when he got here on,’ Carsley mentioned. ‘He gave us that focus, gave us that menace in behind and had a few possibilities.
‘We have to freshen it up for the Germany recreation.’
England are second in Group B on 4 factors they usually merely must match or higher Slovenia’s consequence to progress to the final eight.
