Alfie May plans to gazump Jay Stansfield but has a bigger Birmingham City ambition
A battle is brewing between Birmingham City’s two goal-getters after Alfie May seized his moment in Jay Stansfield’s absence to re-enter the Golden Boot race.
May scored twice in Blues’ 3-0 win at Wigan Athletic on Saturday to take his League One tally to 10 for the season – two shy of Stansfield in the scoring charts. The Blues duo are among a clutch of players aiming to finish top scorer after League One’s current leading marksman Louie Barry was recalled from his loan at Stockport in order to make a Championship move.
May, who is the current holder of the League One Golden Boot and also won the PFA Player of the Year award in his only season at Charlton, was the overwhelming favourite for the gong in August. However, Blues’ record-breaking signing of Stansfield has slowed May down.
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The striker was shifted back to a number 10 position until recently to accommodate Stansfield and has also passed on penalty-taking duties to the 22-year-old. Five of Stansfield’s league goals have come from the spot, meaning May has actually scored more goals from open play (9) than his teammate.
Despite being a little bit underwhelmed by his tally to date, May – who scored his 100th goal in the EFL at the weekend – has his sights set on retaining the Golden Boot. And, more importantly for his manager, May is laser-focussed on winning promotion with Blues.
“I probably wanted a little bit more as a striker,” admits May. “I would like to be on 20 goals. I know there’s a record, Billy Sharp’s the only one to score 20 goals four times so I’m 10 away, that’s one I want to try and get to.
“I have my own stats in my head where I want to finish at the end of the season. I want the Golden Boot again. As a 31-year-old, if I can get that it would be another great achievement. But the biggest thing for me is winning, being on the pitch with the team and getting promoted.”
May has scored five goals in his last eight league games, including three in his last two, to reel Stansfield, Wycombe's Richard Kone and Barry in. His improved form has coincided with Chris Davies’ decision to restore him to the centre-forward position, with Stansfield now deployed on the left wing, and Blues are unbeaten in 11 games as a result.
Discussing his positional change, May added: “As a player, wherever the manager tells you to play you will play but the number nine, I’ve played it for so many years at every club I’ve been at except Doncaster. Being in the nine and on the back-end of the defenders, I try to see their numbers, I don’t want to let them see me. I’m not going to win headers and hold the ball up round my chest, I’m better being in and around them and I like pressing from the front to set the tempo for the boys.
“It’s nice being back in there but when the gaffer puts you on the pitch that’s the most important thing.”
