Last night, Birmingham City took on Wrexham AFC in what was a huge fixture in EFL League One.

The newly named Hollywood Derby ended in a 3-1 Birmingham City victory. Two goals from Jay Stansfield as well as one goal from Tomoki Iwata ruled out Jack Marriott’s 3rd minute opener.

We spoke to Tom Williams about the result to get his thoughts on the game.

Jay Stansfield… Was He Worth The Money?

Stansfield returned to Birmingham City in the summer becoming the most expensive player in EFL League One history. But his two goals seem to make the price tag worth any penny.

“It’s hard to say anyone justifies the price tag in league one when they’ve cost reportedly an 8 figure fee. I think that’s an incredible amount of money. But last night you saw with Jay Stansfield that he has the potential to justify that price tag in the future and somewhat justifying it already.” Williams said on the transfer.

“The first goal obviously was just that pure strikers instinct but it was the second goal that really got me excited I just thought that header was superb. Way harder than it looks. Heading is a skill and he did that superbly.”

But it wasn’t just his goals that made Stansfield stand out. It was his overall play as well.

“His all round play was really good bringing them into the game but I just thought he was head and shoulders above everyone on that pitch.” Williams said.

But is the price tag truly justifiable? Williams believes so.

“ A lot of players that price tag may weigh heavy on their head and they have the pressure on them to perform. I genuinely believe he’s the type of player that thrives off of that and he’s like yeah you know look at me I’m the most expensive player and let me back it up with this performance in one of the biggest games of the season”

“A lot of eyes were on this one and Stansfield stepped up and delivered. What a player because he really is one of the best at this level.”

"JAY STANSFIELD IS BACK AT BIRMINGHAM!" 🔵🎙

Birmingham draw level through their record signing! pic.twitter.com/Dxjp4H0waz

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 16, 2024

Jay Stansfield and Alfie May - The Best Duo In The EFL?

Bringing in Stansfield was huge but it is his newly flourishing partnership with Alfie May that is catching the eyes of many.

Between them they already have 6 goals between them. To put this into context this is more goals than 10 teams in the division have already managed. An incredible statistic.

“It’s an incredible partnership to have Alfie May and Jay Stansfield and I think that’s the question you could have about Birmingham City signing Stansfield is that did they need him with Alfie May in the team when they have a proven goalscorer from League One already in the side.” Williams explained.

“Alfie May and Stansfield up top as a partnership. What's great about it and what I think is great about this Stansfield signing in general is that it’s one that can push on to next season. Of course we are assuming they’ll get promoted and I’m sure they are thinking that they should be but if you take that assumption and say they do get promoted then Stansfield and May is a partnership that can flourish long term as well.”

"I love this club to bits!" 🥹

Jay Stansfield on his fairytale return to Birmingham City, bagging a brace against Wrexham 💙 pic.twitter.com/HB2xBDI4BE

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 16, 2024

Tomoki Iwata Impresses On His Debut As Well

But it was not only Jay Stansfield that impressed Tom Williams.

Tomoki Iwata also got himself on the scoresheet in the game with what was a superb goal.

Williams explained his thoughts on the signing saying:

“I like it the signing of Tomoki Iwata.”

“A little bit like Stansfield, he looked a cut above the level. Not just the goal… but I thought his overall game was good. He was involved a lot in a lot of the phases of play and I think he is a really good signing.”

The 𝙎𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙏𝙀𝙎𝙏 strike you ever did see. 🤌🇯🇵

Tomoki Iwata, take a bow. pic.twitter.com/cvBbDYL0yB

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) September 16, 2024

What Went Wrong For Wrexham AFC Against Birmingham City?

“I think this is where you see the trepidations of playing the style they do in as much that they don’t have the possession. So last night, 32% possession and that is around the norm for Wrexham and we’ve discussed, Wrexham have shown they can be effective with little possession and it can be a really good way of playing - playing to their strengths. But when you come up against a team that have as much quality as Birmingham City and you surrender that much possession you are in for a long night.” Williams described when asked about what went wrong for Wrexham.

Notably, and as Williams mentioned, Wrexham have seen very little of the ball this season and it has proved to work thus far. Wrexham AFC are averaging 38.17% possession in their games - the second lowest in the whole of League One.

“If you come up against a team that have a lot of the ball and have the ability to cut you open almost at will it becomes very very difficult and I think a lot of teams will struggle if they play in that manor against Birmingham City.” Williams said.

“Not to say that it won’t work this season because we’ve already seen, like we’ve said they were dominating and the first 5 games it was working really well. I don’t think all of a sudden they will go back to the drawing board and rip up their game plan but it is something that Wrexham will have to become aware of as they rise up the league.”

“I think a lot of the teams they’ve played have been a similar or lower level to them in this league but where they come up against the better teams they might struggle a bit with the style they play.”

Defeat on the road.

🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/ieArjd3z0e

— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) September 16, 2024

Up next for Birmingham City is Rotherham United as they look to put more pressure on Wrexham AFC at the top of the table.

This while Wrexham take on Crawley Town as they look to bounce back.

Want to hear everything Tom Williams had to say on the game? Check out the latest video from our YouTube channel below.