Craig Gardner

[eastie]

Gets stuck in and knocks in a few goals from
midfield-I wouldn't be totally against it but I'd prefer joey Barton who has got his act together in the last year and is now being strongly linked with arsenal.

[N'ZMAV]

I'd probably rather have Gardner back than re-sign Reo-Coker.

*ducks for cover*

[eastie]

According to mysterymans post About ecks forum Gardner is keen to return but mcleish isn't interested.

[Villafirst]

where's the option

No, because he's simply not good enough to be a regular ? A shame, as I think he showed a lot of heart at Villa.

What rubbish! 10 goals from midfield not good enough? How many did Petrov and NRC score??

[Toronto Villa]

when he left he said and suggested a lot of the things you shouldn't say about your former suitors, especially if they are your local rivals. By kissing the nose badge (vomits in mouth a little) you are also giving the two finger salute to Aston Villa. He would be a cheaper option top NRC, and he'd be as productive if not more so. However, he's planted his flag of allegiance quite firmly. He can stay where he is.

[Villafirst]

when he left he said and suggested a lot of the things you shouldn't say about your former suitors, especially if they are your local rivals. By kissing the nose badge (vomits in mouth a little) you are also giving the two finger salute to Aston Villa. He would be a cheaper option top NRC, and he'd be as productive if not more so. However, he's planted his flag of allegiance quite firmly. He can stay where he is.

Couldn't disagree more. If he came back and scored double figures from Midfield I don't suppose there would be too many complaints. Goals from midfield are like gold - tell me how many Petrov and NRC scored last season between them.

[willywombat]

when he left he said and suggested a lot of the things you shouldn't say about your former suitors, especially if they are your local rivals. By kissing the nose badge (vomits in mouth a little) you are also giving the two finger salute to Aston Villa. He would be a cheaper option top NRC, and he'd be as productive if not more so. However, he's planted his flag of allegiance quite firmly. He can stay where he is.

What exactly did he say , apart from the fact that he had been a nose since he was a kid? Did he say any negative stuff about the Villa? I liked Craig and was sorry to see him go, particularly to them. I also think he's a better player now than he was when we sold him, probably due to playing week in week out in his favourite position and if he could come in and score 13 goals next season I dont care if he wears a small heath top under his Villa shirt. I've also heard that he's 'desperate' to come back to Villa, doesn't sound like a hard core nose to me

[Toronto Villa]

when he left he said and suggested a lot of the things you shouldn't say about your former suitors, especially if they are your local rivals. By kissing the nose badge (vomits in mouth a little) you are also giving the two finger salute to Aston Villa. He would be a cheaper option top NRC, and he'd be as productive if not more so. However, he's planted his flag of allegiance quite firmly. He can stay where he is.

Couldn't disagree more. If he came back and scored double figures from Midfield I don't suppose there would be too many complaints. Goals from midfield are like gold - tell me how many Petrov and NRC scored last season between them.

what exactly are you disagreeing with? I just said he'd probably be more productive than NRC so I'm disagreeing with you from his potential to produce. I just don't like the manner of his departure having proclaimed his Villa allegiance when he was with us, and as soon as he's with that lot he's giving it the full I'm a Bluenose bollocks and kissing the badge.

[Toronto Villa]

when he left he said and suggested a lot of the things you shouldn't say about your former suitors, especially if they are your local rivals. By kissing the nose badge (vomits in mouth a little) you are also giving the two finger salute to Aston Villa. He would be a cheaper option top NRC, and he'd be as productive if not more so. However, he's planted his flag of allegiance quite firmly. He can stay where he is.

What exactly did he say , apart from the fact that he had been a nose since he was a kid? Did he say any negative stuff about the Villa? I liked Craig and was sorry to see him go, particularly to them. I also think he's a better player now than he was when we sold him, probably due to playing week in week out in his favourite position and if he could come in and score 13 goals next season I dont care if he wears a small heath top under his Villa shirt. I've also heard that he's 'desperate' to come back to Villa, doesn't sound like a hard core nose to me

He's desperate to come back now that they are relegated. Would he be as desperate if they were still in the PL? I doubt it.

Look if he comes back, then fine. I'm sure he'll give his all and he's a good squad player. He's hardly a player that will make a massive difference and I'd rather give the likes of Delph, Hogg, Bannan or Gardner jr a go than Craig.

[Billy Walker]

I'd welcome him back and I was disappointed when we sold him.  Apart from rating him as a player, I think having Craig back would really help Gary Gardner progress too.

As for the Blues allegiance, I actually think there are some supporters and families out there who have affections for all the local clubs: a bit of an old-school, sporting attitude towards local football in general.  It's not a huge issue for me.  I'm sure, being a product of Bodymoor, Craig has more than a little feeling and regard for Villa.  Thinking about it, I'd love to have him back.

[The Man With A Stick]

I'd have him over Jordan Henderson, I know that.

Correct. And he's also a much better player than Hitzlsperger.
However, I cant see him coming back here. He'd be a laughing stock rather than a hate figure.

This, this and this.

I liked Craig and thought he was underused when he was here, but none of us could take him seriously if he came back.  He should definitely leave the Sty though if he wants his career to progress.

[TheSandman]

when he left he said and suggested a lot of the things you shouldn't say about your former suitors, especially if they are your local rivals. By kissing the nose badge (vomits in mouth a little) you are also giving the two finger salute to Aston Villa. He would be a cheaper option top NRC, and he'd be as productive if not more so. However, he's planted his flag of allegiance quite firmly. He can stay where he is.

Couldn't disagree more. If he came back and scored double figures from Midfield I don't suppose there would be too many complaints. Goals from midfield are like gold - tell me how many Petrov and NRC scored last season between them.

He played wide midfield for Birmingham. Of course he scored more goals than two defensive midfielders. It poses as much relevance as me saying Gardner is useless as he scored fewer goals than Darren Bent.

I'm also told that he operated a shoot on site policy at Blues hence his large number of goals but poor goals to shots ratio.

I don't think Craig is a bad player. I liked him when he played for us and think his move to them has improved him but he is not THAT good. I really don't see the use in signing another attack minded midfielder either especially when it is one of the quality of Craig Gardner.

[JJ-AV]

Anyone got any stats on how many shots Gardner had last season?

I bet he had more than most.

[hartman_1982]

I would compare Gardner to what Hitz used to be for us. He played just off the striker and offered nothing more than a thunder bolt shot. He is a decent player and in poorer sides 10 goals from midfield and nothing else is fine. However, for clubs like us, you need more creativity and an all round game. A resounding no from me.

[eastie]

Gardner likes to have a few shots and his scoring record would be useful- whether or nit he's a bluenose doesn't matter to me as long as he does it on the pitch in a villa shirt- looked a much improved player last season .