Oh for fuck's sake.
Paul Lambert: 'We'll keep a close eye on Gary Gardner while he's out on loan' Paul Lambert yet to decide on new Villa contract for Gary Gardner as injury-hit midfielder looks to regain fitness while on loan at Sheffield WednesdayBy Mat KendrickGary Gardner still has a chance of saving his Aston Villa career – but manager Paul Lambert admits the midfielder is running out of time to earn a new contract.Gardner is currently out on a month long loan at Sheffield Wednesday and is set to feature in the Championship match at Yeovil on Saturday.The 21-year-old Bodymoor Heath academy graduate’s current deal expires in the summer and it is understood there have yet to be any talks about a new one.Lambert cannot guarantee that Gardner will be kept on and admitted the Brummie youngster’s injuries had hampered his progress.Having missed most of last season with his second cruciate ligament problem, he suffered back trouble at the start of this term and has been unable to dislodge Fabian Delph, Ashley Westwood, Karim El Ahmadi and Yacouba Sylla from the central midfield places.Asked if there was any prospect of Gardner getting a new deal, Lambert replied: “There’s still a chance yes, but it’s hard for me to judge him when I haven’t seem much of him due to his injuries.“He’s had injuries where it’s been long term, with his cruciate then his back.“The thing about Gary is he’s a really good kid, really nice guy and a really top lad that wants to do well. We have to keep looking at him over the next few months.“There is scope for something. I’m not dismissing it. I just need to see the progress that he makes when he’s out playing.“He’s been really unfortunate with injuries. But I’m not dismissing anything at all. We have to see more of him performing at a level where we think he can make an impact here. We’ll keep a close eye on him while he’s out on loan.”Gardner, who has previously been out on loan at Coventry, made his senior Villa debut under Alex McLeish as a substitute in the 3-1 victory at Chelsea on December 31 2011 and has made five starts and 13 substitute appearances in the Premier League and the cup competitions.He has been used sparingly by Lambert, getting just two run-outs, totalling 18 minutes, on the first and final days of last season at West Ham and Wigan.Gardner, whose initial loan spell at Hillsborough expires in around a week’s time, has made three starts for Wednesday and was an unused substitute for last weekend’s win over Middlesbrough.
Exciting talent Grealish keeps Ireland on tenterhooksTeenager thrills Under-21s but does not rule out return to EnglandPaul Rowan Published: 9 March 2014HAILING a taxi on a Dublin street on Thursday who should pull up driving one but Fabrizio Miele, the father of the Ireland Under-19 international Brandon Miele. Fabio, to use his more familiar name, had seen the Republic of Ireland Under-21s the previous day and like virtually everybody else is raving about Jack Grealish, the Aston Villa winger on loan at Notts County.With his socks falling down around his ankles and the ball stuck to his right foot as though it was glued there, Grealish is the closest thing we have seen in an Ireland shirt to Tony Galvin. And not only was he by far the youngest Ireland player on the pitch in the game against Montenegro in Tallaght on Wednesday, he was also the best by some distance.
Sunday TimesRest of article behind paywall.QuoteExciting talent Grealish keeps Ireland on tenterhooksTeenager thrills Under-21s but does not rule out return to EnglandPaul Rowan Published: 9 March 2014HAILING a taxi on a Dublin street on Thursday who should pull up driving one but Fabrizio Miele, the father of the Ireland Under-19 international Brandon Miele. Fabio, to use his more familiar name, had seen the Republic of Ireland Under-21s the previous day and like virtually everybody else is raving about Jack Grealish, the Aston Villa winger on loan at Notts County.With his socks falling down around his ankles and the ball stuck to his right foot as though it was glued there, Grealish is the closest thing we have seen in an Ireland shirt to Tony Galvin. And not only was he by far the youngest Ireland player on the pitch in the game against Montenegro in Tallaght on Wednesday, he was also the best by some distance.
Jack would be ill advised to chose Ireland but that really depends on how irish he feels? He will develop into an excellent player and more than good enough for England.
I have seen him play and it's really the way he deals with the ball and moves it on. He has poise and time. He reminds me of Brian Little and Gary Shaw at the same age. I am convinced next season he will be on the fringe of first team selection.
Quote from: olaftab on March 09, 2014, 07:25:28 PMI have seen him play and it's really the way he deals with the ball and moves it on. He has poise and time. He reminds me of Brian Little and Gary Shaw at the same age. I am convinced next season he will be on the fringe of first team selection. Hopefully you're right but it's a bit early to be making predictions about his future career. I'd like to see him in the Championship next season for a few months.