Birmingham City's Craig Gardner had a satisfying, life-changing 2010. Now he wants 2011 to be even better.
The Blues midfielder transferred from Aston Villa last January in a £3million deal. He fast became a St Andrew’s favourite, and established himself at last as a Premier League regular.
Gardner’s fierce shooting and habit of taking up attacking positions has made him Blues’ top-scorer.
“It’s been a good year but I want to get bigger and better,” he said. “I want to achieve more in my career, and I want to get more goals.
“I said at the start of the season my aim was to get 10 goals and if I beat last year’s tally in 2011 then I’ve done it and it will be a great achievement if I do.
“We all know it’s a big season so this year we just want to get as many points on the board, keep grafting and working hard as a team and get to the final of the cup as well.”
That cup is the Carling Cup. Blues face West Ham United in the semi-finals over two legs, the first on Tuesday at Upton Park.
But first Millwall beckon in the FA Cup on Saturday. And Blues will go to the New Den in fine fettle after the crucial 2-1 win over Blackpool in midweek.
“Every single game now is important because we need to pick up points and climb up the table,” said Gardner.
“It’s been an up and down season for a lot of teams.
“Everyone’s talking about whether we are going to stay in the league, who’s going to go down, who’s going to do this and that, etc.
“I don’t think Blues are going to go down. But it’s a hard season for every team this season. You look at the likes of Villa. If you’re saying Blues are not safe then look at a club like Villa, they’re not safe either.
“It’s nonsense that people are even thinking about that at the minute.
“It’s a massive season and there are ten teams all close to each other so anybody can go down.”
At Bloomfield Road, Scott Dann’s 89th minute winner provided Blues with their first away success since March.
Alex McLeish said: “Listen, it’s not easy to win away games in the Barclays Premier League. There’s the 50-50 decisions you don’t tend to get, the home crowd can be powerful.
“Stoke City a few years ago virtually went the whole season without an away win, it didn’t come until right at the end at West Brom, and they stayed up comfortably. We know we can win away and we have taken some valuable points on our travels this season.”
