Monday 15 December 2014 12:17, UK
West Brom midfielder Craig Gardner is convinced their 1-0 derby victory over Aston Villa can offer a welcome boost to their stuttering season.
The former Villa and Sunderland player scored his first goal for Alan Irvine’s side in Saturday’s game at The Hawthorns to help ease the pressure on his under-fire boss.
Some Baggies fans had begun to question Irvine’s position but the win, just their second in 10 league games, moves them up to 14th in the Premier League table ahead of their trip to QPR on December 20.
This win can have a really galvanising effect
"We knew if we won the local derby it would catapult us up the league, get everyone back on side, get the fans back on side, because we need the fans, we need everyone at the club," said Gardner.
"We got the whole team, the whole club back together.
"This win can have a really galvanising effect, definitely. The fans, seeing the work rate we are putting in, seeing we are not hiding.
"It is a platform to build on. It's four points from two games and we can really push on now."
Gardner celebrated his goal with Irvine and gave his shirt to young West Brom supporter Rui Roper at the end of the game.
"It was nice to give a little bit back, I'm a fan myself. It's nice, he'll remember that for the rest of his life,” added Gardner.
“He's going to go home, probably sleep with the shirt on, tell his friends and family."
