Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: Mike Field 
Date:Tuesday September 29 2009
Time: 7:22PM
UK time is: 08:21:15
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Not On Gardnering Leave Or Looking For A New Plot
Not one of my best admittedly, but Craig Gardner is determined to stay at the club and win his place back.
Having seen himself slip below Reo-Coker in the manager's 'most likely for midfield picks' list, Craig admits opportunities to move on have presented themselves but he's confident in his ability to get back in the team.
Speaking to the Birmingham Mail he gave a quite classy 'I'm a Villa player, I'm not a quitter' speech and continued to explain that he wants to fight for his place in the squad and get back into the team, preferably in central midfield. Moving on would be the easy option and it's not for him.
Adding that whilst the team are chalking up wins he can hardly knock on the bosses door, he's just got to bide his time and take chances to impress when they materialise.
'We've been playing brilliantly, haven't we. Yes, it has been frustrating, but that's football.
'If the gaffer's including me on the bench then hopefully I'll start playing more as the season goes on.'
Perfect attitude to be honest, and Craig would probably admit that when he has been given chances of late he hasn't really set the pitch on fire and really staked a claim for a first team spot.
But he's steady and reliable, and as I think there's a great player tucked away inside him it's such a shame his progress was halted by all the 'right back' nonsense he endured.
Time will tell if he can recover from that and go on to be the attacking midfielder we saw in flashes as he came through into the first team, but as long as he keeps his head down and trains hard he's get other chances that he can leap on.
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Your Comments
Garnder’s new bud to flower in the team?
Lost_In_Ca
Garnder’s new bud to flower in the team?
Lost_In_Ca
Well his seedlings in the England U20's squad tonight. lol (I know it gets worse doesn't it).
mike_field
Well his seedlings in the England U20's squad tonight. lol (I know it gets worse doesn't it).
mike_field
How can he win back something he never possessed?
Saurat
How can he win back something he never possessed?
Saurat
Should be a starter for every game IMO. What's the point in having a youth system if you don't use it? I'd also have Clark in ahead of Dunne at the moment until Davies is fit & Delfouneso should be making it onto the pitch before Heskey (even Harewood should though.) We've got a good youth set-up, it's about time we started tapping into it a lot more.
StuLinney
Should be a starter for every game IMO. What's the point in having a youth system if you don't use it? I'd also have Clark in ahead of Dunne at the moment until Davies is fit & Delfouneso should be making it onto the pitch before Heskey (even Harewood should though.) We've got a good youth set-up, it's about time we started tapping into it a lot more.
StuLinney
All I can say is i'm glad you're not managing the Villa Stu.
YatesyVillain
All I can say is i'm glad you're not managing the Villa Stu.
YatesyVillain
You wouldn't play Dunne?? Correct me if I'm wrong but in all games he's played for us we've not conceded a single goal, with the exception of the two against Blackburn at the weeked. That's two goals conceded in the 5 games we've had Dunne in place. Why would you drop him? He's been a rock!
AVFC4ME
You wouldn't play Dunne?? Correct me if I'm wrong but in all games he's played for us we've not conceded a single goal, with the exception of the two against Blackburn at the weeked. That's two goals conceded in the 5 games we've had Dunne in place. Why would you drop him? He's been a rock!
AVFC4ME
Timed this well with rumours of Fulham wanting Hokey-Cokey. Maybe he knows something we don't!! Makes a change for someone wanting to stay and fight for their place. Would be a shame to lose him.
DoLpHiNaToR
Timed this well with rumours of Fulham wanting Hokey-Cokey. Maybe he knows something we don't!! Makes a change for someone wanting to stay and fight for their place. Would be a shame to lose him.
DoLpHiNaToR
MON would have to pull something special out of the bag to upset this lad, breath of fresh air he is. I hope he does get a chance in his prefered position but it's good to know we've got reliable and dedicated back up in the middle. Keep him MON, forever. As for sacking off Dunne you must be silly he's been quality for us, one mistake and a bit of bad luck and you want to replace him with our most inexperienced CB in the first team. The kids are good, but not that good
PTP
MON would have to pull something special out of the bag to upset this lad, breath of fresh air he is. I hope he does get a chance in his prefered position but it's good to know we've got reliable and dedicated back up in the middle. Keep him MON, forever. As for sacking off Dunne you must be silly he's been quality for us, one mistake and a bit of bad luck and you want to replace him with our most inexperienced CB in the first team. The kids are good, but not that good
PTP
AVFC4ME - I'm correcting you because you're wrong, as you suggested ;-) . Only 2 conceded in 5 games because of Dunne? Dunne didn't play against Fulham, Ciaran Clark did, & Dunne never played against Cardiff either. But you're right about the only 2 conceded in the 3 he has played in. I'm just not a fan of Dunne & his attitude during his transfer to us ("I'm not joining until City pay me") didn't look too good as he was willing to keep us hanging as late as possible so MO'N couldn't get an alternative. & what's wrong with Gardner being a starter?
StuLinney
AVFC4ME - I'm correcting you because you're wrong, as you suggested ;-) . Only 2 conceded in 5 games because of Dunne? Dunne didn't play against Fulham, Ciaran Clark did, & Dunne never played against Cardiff either. But you're right about the only 2 conceded in the 3 he has played in. I'm just not a fan of Dunne & his attitude during his transfer to us ("I'm not joining until City pay me") didn't look too good as he was willing to keep us hanging as late as possible so MO'N couldn't get an alternative. & what's wrong with Gardner being a starter?
StuLinney
hyacinth. sorry, just wanted to join in.
bobbyfett
hyacinth. sorry, just wanted to join in.
bobbyfett
StuLinney - like the man in the ortheopeidic shoes....I stand corrected! Although I still think that Dunne has been and will continue to be a rock for us at the back. From Dunne's point of view, he was happy playing for City and put his heart and soul into the club, had no plans to leave and was looking forward to his testimonial which would be a nice little earner for him in reward for his commitment to the club. Then out of nowhere (apparently) Hughesy decides he's off and leaves Dunne thinking "hang on a minute!!! I was about to earn a few squillion from a testimonial and now you want shot of me!!??" Now I know that footballers get paid a ridiculous amount of cash, and I know it was bad news for villa as the whole affair got dragged out blah blah blah. But, if you were in Dunne's shoes, would you not want a wee bit of compensation?
AVFC4ME
StuLinney - like the man in the ortheopeidic shoes....I stand corrected! Although I still think that Dunne has been and will continue to be a rock for us at the back. From Dunne's point of view, he was happy playing for City and put his heart and soul into the club, had no plans to leave and was looking forward to his testimonial which would be a nice little earner for him in reward for his commitment to the club. Then out of nowhere (apparently) Hughesy decides he's off and leaves Dunne thinking "hang on a minute!!! I was about to earn a few squillion from a testimonial and now you want shot of me!!??" Now I know that footballers get paid a ridiculous amount of cash, and I know it was bad news for villa as the whole affair got dragged out blah blah blah. But, if you were in Dunne's shoes, would you not want a wee bit of compensation?
AVFC4ME
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