I really hope Tom Wagner was listening to Birmingham City chant during Coventry win

Jay Stansfield stood on the top of an advertising board with his arms outstretched in front of his adoring public. Let’s hope that is the lasting image of Birmingham City’s battle to stay in the Championship.

The striker was celebrating after slotting home Blues’ game clinching third goal against Coventry City on a day where his teammates matched his intensity. Blues were rampant in front of a packed St Andrew’s.

Bobby Thomas put through his own net in the 12th minute and Ivan Sunjic doubled the lead before Stansfield sealed it. Stansfield now has 13 goals across all competitions in his debut season in the Championship.

It’s more than goals that will probably see Stansfield crowned Blues’ Player of the Year at the awards dinner on May 5. The 21-year-old has an insatiable appetite to do the dirty work that many players feel is beneath them. Stansfield left his boyhood club Exeter City for the bright lights of the Premier League at an early age, but the fight and fury that comes with being built in the lower leagues has stayed with him.

READ: Birmingham City player ratings as Roberts and Stansfield rip Coventry apart

READ: Tom Wagner hits back at Villa critics by doubling down on Birmingham City ambition

Just ask Joel Latibeudiere what it’s like to play against Stansfield. The Coventry defender couldn’t cope with Stansfield snapping at his heels at the start of the second half and eventually lashed out. Stansfield bit back. His nastiness only endears him to a crowd that feeds off passion more than most.

You don’t very often get the perfect fit between a loan player and a club. When times get tough loanees can be accused of not caring because their future doesn’t rest on the season's outcome.

You could never level that at Stansfield. He cares more than most. He recently admitted that criticism from some quarters of the Blues family in recent weeks has hurt him.

The vast majority - if not all - of those inside St Andrew’s love him. ‘Sign him up’ they chanted loudly as Stansfield made his way around the pitch after being substituted in the closing stages.

Tom Wagner was listening, who knows, he might have been joining in from his seat in the Kop. Hopefully he was. If Blues stay in the Championship, signing Stansfield should be their top priority this summer.

How much do you think Stansfield is worth? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section HERE