Is Jamaican ‘veteran’ on his way out?
At the end of last month, when the papers started to report that St. Owen Coyle was looking to shift a number of players off the wage bill, few names came as much of a shock. Not many can see the value of a McCann, Shittu, Vaz Te or Hunt. Most would like to see the back of the remaining signings of Sammy Lee or the person that replaced him (give or take the odd Gary Cahill).
The name of Ricardo Gardner was also on some of these lists. Surprisingly, Gardner is still only thirty one, having now been at the club since 1998 and his stint at the Reebok goes beyond even Big Sam’s regime. He is knocking on for four hundred appearances even though he seems to suffer an injury every year. He was turned from a free wheeling left winger with a dodgy cross into a stoic left back. With a dodgy cross. When Bolton were promoted in 2001 he was so recognisable that Soccer AM had his shirt on the wall. He even bleached his hair. So why has he appeared on the list?
Well, there is no doubt that his best days are behind him. When it comes to the left wing he has found himself behind Matt Taylor and Jack Wilshere and left back seems to have been sown up between Samuel and Robinson, although only the former and current managers know why. He seems to be used more nowadays as a central midfield player, usually as a susbtitute. He can’t really be seen as an impact player, as he doesn’t make any impact when he comes on. So with there being no need for a third choice left back or left winger, maybe it is time for him to go.
However, if the manager is to play a more expansive game next season, maybe Ricky is what he needs. Matt Taylor has his detractors but even his sympathisers will agree that he isn’t the sort of left winger to run up and down the field. With older players going, Ricky will become one of the elder statesmen of the squad, something that is needed at clubs no matter how few times some players actually get to play. Plus, the manager seems to be in tune with what the fans want and, no matter how you feel about Gardner’s current playing ability, few would begrudge him a deserved testimonial. He has, after all, played for the club in three seperate decades.
It may only be another year before he is moved on but you hope, if he can stay injury free, and with his injury record it is a big if, he can prove he has still got enough to serve the Wanderers for a bit longer. Because who would really want to to Ricardo Gardner playing for someone else?