Blues boss praises ill Gardner

14 March 2010 10:57
Gardner, signed from Aston Villa for £3million in January, had been rated doubtful to be fit enough to face David Moyes' side.[LNB]But he capped another fine fightback by City who had trailed 2-0 midway through the first half.[LNB]McLeish said: "Craig was ill yesterday. He was a doubt this morning. There has been a virus going about and Craig was a victim. He was supposed to come in for a fitness test this morning but told the doctor he was okay.[LNB]"He started sluggishly but he got his second wind and became a threat.[LNB]"It was a great strike from him for the goal, and, being a Birmingham fan, I know what it will mean to him."[LNB]City remain unbeaten at home since September and McLeish was again full of praise for his team's fighting qualities.[LNB]He said: "That was so typical of what we have done this season and the players just don't give up.[LNB]"Today was another example. Everton could have blown us away in the first 20 minutes.[LNB]"We had an early warning when Joe Hart made a good early save but we didn't heed it. We were quickly two goals down and Everton were strutting their stuff. We knew we had to up the tempo.[LNB]"We said at half-time about making sure we didn't give Everton too much respect and we came back strongly in the second half."[LNB]David Moyes felt that his side had thrown away two points but is playing down talk about chasing a Europa League spot.[LNB]He said: "I was pleased with the performance but not the result. We played very well at times.[LNB]"We scored two goals and should have been more ahead but for their goalkeeper. He made a couple of great saves, but you've got to credit Birmingham with coming back into it the way that they did."[LNB]Regarding the Europa League Moyes said: "We have not been talking about seventh place and what that might entail.[LNB]"I've said all along that we have a long way to catch up. We're just going to try and win as many games as we can.[LNB]"All we are trying to do is finish as high up the table as we can."[LNB]Moyes will continue to try and extend the loan spell of Landon Donovan who has been with Everton for the past dozen games on a temporary basis from LA Galaxy.[LNB]Donovan is set to fly home tomorrow and threw his shirt into the area of the ground holding the Everton fans at the final whistle.[LNB]Moyes said: "He is on a plane home tomorrow. We are still trying to do something. You never know, who knows?"[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk