Craig Gardner

[RizLCFC]

Sorry if this has been posted already

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-gardner-attracting-interest-west-6911521

Decent player, experienced and versatile.

[Dickov22]

Got a great shot on him

[kingcarr21]

decent player IMO and to get him on a free would be a good start to our summer buying

[Captain...]

I could see Pearson being interested for the right price, would class him as a Pearson type player in terms of attitude, very different player to what we have in midfield and would certainly add an extra attacking threat, and would fit in to a 4231 if we chose to play like that,

 

James Drinkwater

Knocky Gardner Mahrez

Vardy

 

But wouldn't really fit in to a 442, unless we play someone more defensive along side him.

[RizLCFC]

I wouldn't mind Seb Larsson either, also out of contract but looks like he's going to Germany.

I could see Pearson being interested for the right price, would class him as a Pearson type player in terms of attitude, very different player to what we have in midfield and would certainly add an extra attacking threat, and would fit in to a 4231 if we chose to play like that,

James Drinkwater

Knocky Gardner Mahrez

Vardy

But wouldn't really fit in to a 442, unless we play someone more defensive along side him.

He's out of contract and available for free.

[Captain...]

I wouldn't mind Seb Larsson either, also out of contract but looks like he's going to Germany.

He's out of contract and available for free.

 

But wages and signing on fees could be an issue, he's been in the prem for a while so far to assume he is on a fair whack.

 

This is where I think Pearson needs to be canny with signing free transfers, without a transfer fee we can afford to offer better wages, but we don't want to upset the dressing room by having huge differences in wages between the players.

[Bert]

Would be a decent signing, versatile and takes a good set piece.

[Callabinho]

One of those players who would flourish under Pearson, he's got bags of ability, just needs someone to help him to show it!

[Captain...]

Just been reading on wikipedia he was playing at Right Back last season, maybe I do his defensive abilities a disservice, I just remember some horror tackles for red cards, but I still think we would be too lightweight in the middle with Gardner and one of James or Drinkwater, and apart from his goal threat I would prefer James and Drinky.

[RowlattsFox]

He's been after a move back to the midlands for a while now so could be some truth. Useful player who can cover a few positions but is always in relegation battles.

[StanSP]

Got a great shot on him

 

First thing I thought out too .

[Dan]

I always had him down as more of a defensive midfielder than an attacking one although that's largely guesswork.

[teblin]

Pearson may well know him from his u21 days too.

[Munshi]

Great player when he's on form, got a hell of a shot on him too.

[Milton Keynes Fox]

Definitely a player we should look to bring in, could do a massive job for us. But like someone said I think wages may be a little bit of a problem

[Tom's Pasta]

I was watching the Sunderland game on Monday and I said I rated him. A Pearson sort of signing I think, strong in the tackle, decent pace and good from a dead ball including penalties

[LeicesterBran]

I like him, wouldn't mind having him at the KP next season if Sunderland get relegated.

[AjcW]

Made the difference when he came on with Johnson in the second half the other day against West Ham. Good potential signing

[iamafox]

I'd sign him in a heartbeat. But who would he displace in the midfield though? 

[Fez of Mahrez]

http://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/craig-gardner.899357/

[ousefox]

Saw Sunderland a lot last season and always liked Gardner and Colback out of all their midfield. Wouldn't be a bad signing at all. He'd be taking over from Nugent on the penalty front too.

[Captain...]

http://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/craig-gardner.899357/

 

Interesting reading, but considering they are slagging off all their midfielders, including Larsson, Colback, Cattermole, who have all been good players for Sunderland in the past, suggests the problem is with the club not the individual players. I think all of them would do a job at another prem club, there is clearly something rotten in Sunderland, whether it is Poyet or a hangover from Di Canio, or something else.

 

Last season there were many slating Drinkwater and James, but the issue was a collective one, not an individual one, and we have seen what they can do in the right environment, so I'm not going to be put off by their fan comments.

[Fox92]

Always liked him, probably because whenever he scores they are generally screamers ... Decent addition though, fairly versatile as well.

[General Smuts]

Yes please! Exactly the calibre of player I hope we look at next season. Only 27 as well with bags of Premier League experience.

[Leicesterpool]

We had him at Villa and I thought he was a good player and was sad to see him go, good thing about Craig is he can play in many positions across the field. I remember a few times he filled in at right back, he kinda did okay. The only problem would be if he we signed Craig then we'd probably have to offload either King or Hammond. There's no point in having six centre midfielders including Danns though he's likely to be leaving in the summer, One thing I like about Craig is he's certainly got some pace and some power in his foot. So a yes for me