Darron Gibson

[SwanVsDalton]

I only saw the highlights tonight but Gibson appeared to be working hard to break forward at every opportunity. In fact from what I've seen recently he appears to have upped his attacking work rate and been asserting himself a bit more. Anyone care to confirm/contest?

[geysir]

I'd concur. To some extent he has improved. He is more visible in the middle and gets himself into positions to receive the ball. Also he appears more energetic.
Maybe he was just one of those rare creatures, a shy unassuming Derryman.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think it's probably more to do with them playing a four-man midfield. He's clearly been told to sit in the last few games whereas this time (and the second half v. Birmingham) he's had more freedom to break forward.

[geysir]

A big change is with his positioning. He use to take up impossibly angled positions, where the player on the ball could never find him with a pass.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think he still does that. He has a tendency to go and stand right behind an opposition player when Fletcher has the ball. He was almost spooning Whitehead at one point.

[shakermaker1982]

He still gets dog abuse off some United fans.........even when he does nothing wrong. I think he has replaced O'Shea as the new scapegoat.

[Sullivinho]

I only saw the highlights tonight but Gibson appeared to be working hard to break forward at every opportunity. In fact from what I've seen recently he appears to have upped his attacking work rate and been asserting himself a bit more. Anyone care to confirm/contest?

I figured I'd noticed the same but my new year's resolution prohibits wishful thinking ;) He has a hell of a lot going for him if he can hit an upward curve in fairness so hopefully he gets more games.

[Charlie Darwin]

He still gets dog abuse off some United fans.........even when he does nothing wrong. I think he has replaced O'Shea as the new scapegoat.
Manchester United fans tend not to be very knowledgeable about football.

[SwanVsDalton]

Gibson starts tonight away to Blackpool.

[Razors left peg]

replaced at half time in a truly awful over team performance from United so far, could have been anyone of them replaced

[The Fly]

He was substituted for Giggs at the start of the second half.

[SkStu]

i think its time for Gibson to start taking his career seriously and find a team that can give him weekly football. If that means dropping a division then so be it. For a squad member at United i have never seen someone so afraid of receiving the ball in midfield. He still actively moves to areas where he cannot receive a pass. Its very strange to watch.

[DeLorean]

I really can't see what Ferguson sees in him. If he was any other nationality we'd be having a right laugh at him. I don't feel too badly about saying that either as the guy doesn't even seem to have a good attitude, he booted the ball away in petulance last night after failing to keep it in, wasting United's own time when they were behind appproaching half time.

[OwlsFan]

He was involved in one sweet move which put Rooney through on goal and had one reasonable shot on target but otherwise non descript like Rooney. Perhaps the latter should also drop down a Division ;)

[TrapAPony]

Another chance for Gibson today against Southampton in the FA Cup. O'Shea starts as well.

[Colbert Report]

Gibson is having a nightmare of a match here against Southampton. I can't see Ferguson giving him even one more chance, he's clearly not worthy of a place in the Manchester United squad, sorry to say kids.

[Colbert Report]

Gibson hauled off after 57 minutes, commentators slating him.

[Fizzer]

Another trademark dreadful performance by Gibson today. O'Shea now playing left back. Take note Colbert

[Colbert Report]

Another trademark dreadful performance by Gibson today. O'Shea now playing left back. Take note Colbert

Only because Evra wasn't included in the matchday eighteen. Note how he didn't start there, as he hasn't done for years now.

[Fizzer]

No he didn't start there, but he's playing there now and so Ferguson, you would imagine, believes he can play there.

[Colbert Report]

No, Ferguson is forced to play him there because he's found himself in a pinch down away at Southampton in a knock out game. If O'Shea ever starts at left back I'll shut up about it, but it simply won't happen because Ferguson doesn't rate him there, just like a host of Ireland managers didn't.

[SwanVsDalton]

Sounds like a bad day for Gibson, he looked fair frustrated sitting on the bench.

[Fergie's Son]

He was very poor today. I think he's done at United.

[geysir]

Gibson is having a nightmare of a match here against Southampton.
Nightmare of a game implies making a litter of mistakes. Darron didn't make a litter of mistakes.
Comatose would be an apt description of his presence out there.

[Charlie Darwin]

Was he playing on the left again? I fell asleep after about 10 minutes but he had a few decent touches early on from what I saw.

[Fergie's Son]

Looked to be playing in the middle. Wasbabsent for most of the game.

[seanfhear]

Maybe the lad just needs regular first team football (at what level). It does'nt seem to be working for him at utd at the moment.

Hopefully he is one of those players that needs to play regularly.

[Charlie Darwin]

It seems United were playing a midfield diamond and Ferguson changed it to bring on width, which is also why Gibson was replaced at Blackpool. Both were poor performances and Gibson wasn't any worse than his more experienced teammates in either so you can't read that much into it. Unless you buy into the theory that he'd a disease that infects everyone around him.

[DeLorean]

Gibson wasn't any worse than his more experienced teammates

This seems to be the most commonly used excuse for him. Firstly, I don't think it's really true. Although most of the other players were playing poorly, they weren't shying away from receiving the ball and it was noticable that they were actually playing. Secondly, Gibson is in a completely different situation to these guys. He needs to take his opportunities when he gets them because, unlike his team mates, he has it all to prove.

[elroy]

I think its fair to say that both Scholes and Anderson was as inept as Gibson in the first half. But true, these are the games where Gibson as a CM needs to stand up and assert himself, otherwise how can he expect to be considered for a regular first team role.

[OwlsFan]

Alas I think Gibson will end up playing for someone like Burnley or worse (Sheffield Wednesday who have Potter, O'Connor and Heffernan all of whom we had hopes for at one stage) or perhaps for Iverness in Scotland. That said, it's not easy to make it at Man U and perhaps if he steps out of the shadows there and joins a mid to lower Premiership team, it might be the makings of him. I am not that optimistic but he's going no where at Old Trafford.

[geysir]

We know a promising career has hit an impenetrable brick wall, when the player ends up in Sheffield.

[Charlie Darwin]

This seems to be the most commonly used excuse for him. Firstly, I don't think it's really true. Although most of the other players were playing poorly, they weren't shying away from receiving the ball and it was noticable that they were actually playing. Secondly, Gibson is in a completely different situation to these guys. He needs to take his opportunities when he gets them because, unlike his team mates, he has it all to prove.
I think it's a huge amount to expect of a young player to lead a team when somebody as experienced as Scholes isn't performing. He needs direction - that's very clear.

[EastTerracer]

No, Ferguson is forced to play him there because he's found himself in a pinch down away at Southampton in a knock out game. If O'Shea ever starts at left back I'll shut up about it, but it simply won't happen because Ferguson doesn't rate him there, just like a host of Ireland managers didn't.

O'Shea started at left-back this season (on October 24th at Stoke). Evra played left-midfield that day and O'Shea was the natural cover. Over the last 5 or 6 seasons Manchester United have had Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra as first-choice left-backs. However, when either of those players has been injured O"Shea has usually been the one called upon to fill-in. He was never going to be first-choice with those two as competition but Ferguson has never hesitated to use O'Shea there when he needs to.

Brian Kerr picked Steve Finnan at left-back and he looked very uncomfortable - he admitted as much himself when he retired from International football. O'Shea has not played there very often for Ireland so I think its a bit harsh to be judging him as incapable of playing the position.

[Junior]

O'Shea started at left-back this season (on October 24th at Stoke). Evra played left-midfield that day and O'Shea was the natural cover. Over the last 5 or 6 seasons Manchester United have had Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra as first-choice left-backs. However, when either of those players has been injured O"Shea has usually been the one called upon to fill-in. He was never going to be first-choice with those two as competition but Ferguson has never hesitated to use O'Shea there when he needs to.

Brian Kerr picked Steve Finnan at left-back and he looked very uncomfortable - he admitted as much himself when he retired from International football. O'Shea has not played there very often for Ireland so I think its a bit harsh to be judging him as incapable of playing the position.

Whatever about the rest of the post, if the bit in bold is true and I dont doubt it, then CR, stick to your word and stop spamming the forum with $hite about how O'Shea can not/ should not/ will not ever ever ever be a LB when quite clearly he is an option there for us.

[tetsujin1979]

O'Shea started at left-back this season (on October 24th at Stoke). Evra played left-midfield that day and O'Shea was the natural cover. Over the last 5 or 6 seasons Manchester United have had Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra as first-choice left-backs. However, when either of those players has been injured O"Shea has usually been the one called upon to fill-in. He was never going to be first-choice with those two as competition but Ferguson has never hesitated to use O'Shea there when he needs to.
confirmed on football-lineups.com: http://www.football-lineups.com/lineup/181466/
Also, started there against Sunderland on 2 October 2010: http://www.football-lineups.com/match/77231/
There's a rundown of his starting positions here: http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/49/

[Serb]

Whatever about the rest of the post, if the bit in bold is true and I dont doubt it, then CR, stick to your word and stop spamming the forum with $hite about how O'Shea can not/ should not/ will not ever ever ever be a LB when quite clearly he is an option there for us.

O'Shea has started at left back at least twice this season alone (Sunderland (2nd Oct) and Stoke (24th Oct)). He may have started at left-back -vs- Wolves but I can't seem to get confirmation of that anywhere.

[Sullivinho]

Alas I think Gibson will end up playing for someone like Burnley or worse (Sheffield Wednesday who have Potter, O'Connor and Heffernan all of whom we had hopes for at one stage) or perhaps for Iverness in Scotland. That said, it's not easy to make it at Man U and perhaps if he steps out of the shadows there and joins a mid to lower Premiership team, it might be the makings of him. I am not that optimistic but he's going no where at Old Trafford.

The similarities between Gibson and Potter actually occurred to me over the weekend. I hope Darron's promise doesn't fade as quickly.

[OwlsFan]

The similarities between Gibson and Potter actually occurred to me over the weekend. I hope Darron's promise doesn't fade as quickly.

I don't think Potter got much of a chance at Liverpool. Gibson has had a few chances at Man U. Moral of the story: avoid the Christian name Darr(e)on.

[EastTerracer]

Now that you mention it Darren Potter did get a goal for Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Saturday (although overshadowed by Clinton getting two penalties).

http://d.yimg.com/i/ng/sp/empics/20110129/15/3825213272-29012011153631.jpg

[DeLorean]

I think it's a huge amount to expect of a young player to lead a team when somebody as experienced as Scholes isn't performing. He needs direction - that's very clear.

Yeah, but that's one game. He's played plenty of matches where the other midfielders weren't as poor, and he still looked out of his depth. It's getting a bit late for the age card also, this is his third season involved with the first team, and there's no sign of improvement whatsoever. Anderson is younger than him and, despite some critics, plays at a much higher level than Gibson, and did so even when he came to the club first at 19.

[OwlsFan]

Now that you mention it Darren Potter did get a goal for Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Saturday (although overshadowed by Clinton getting two penalties).

http://d.yimg.com/i/ng/sp/empics/20110129/15/3825213272-29012011153631.jpg

It was a lovely strike from outside of the box but truth be told Potter is struggling even to make it at Division One level. Heffernan is doing well but too many injuries.

Back to topic, what exactly does Gibson possess? Not a great passer, not great pace, a reasonable shot. I don't think he's going to make it.

[tetsujin1979]

I actually think Gibson is an excellent passer of the ball, but he needs far too much time to pick the pass. Someone like Scholes can instinctively know where everyone on the pitch is and make the pass look simple, Gibson has to stop and look before making the pass.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah, but that's one game. He's played plenty of matches where the other midfielders weren't as poor, and he still looked out of his depth. It's getting a bit late for the age card also, this is his third season involved with the first team, and there's no sign of improvement whatsoever. Anderson is younger than him and, despite some critics, plays at a much higher level than Gibson, and did so even when he came to the club first at 19.
Two games in a week, to be fair, one of which he played on the wing.

Gibson has a lot of qualities but he obviously needs to step it up at some point soon and show that he can be a go-to player, but I think the criticism can be over the top sometimes.

[dr_peepee]

I read something recently about the difference between talent and skill in football... Something along the lines of Talent is being able to display the skill, whilst someone's trying to kick you in the ass. I think it's appicable to Gibson.

Needs to get away from Old Trafford to mature as a player. There's no two ways about it in my mind. He's a different animal to Fletcher in terms of what they bring to a game before that old chestnut is churned out.

[The Fly]

Interesting piece on Gibson, by Paul Ince.

http://paulincesnotebook.com/2011/02/02/darron-gibson-united-player/

[paul_oshea]

Interesting piece on Gibson, by Paul Ince.

http://paulincesnotebook.com/2011/02/02/darron-gibson-united-player/

Very interesting.the end of the paragraph about tackling is he a bit of a Nancy boy.he kinda looks like one.i mean what can he be doing when his teammates are tackling?looking at them tackling or dreaming about the streets of derry

[Stuttgart88]

A few things struck me:

How few tackles ANY of the MU midfielders make.

I used to watch Gilberto Silva a lot, the archetypal "holding" player. He never tackled, he just made opposition players play around him and quite effectively.

There's no mention of WHERE Gibson has played. I've seen him a few times out on the right. The Guardian's chalkboard analysis is more useful than simple bar charts.

Fletcher & Anderson's pass completion rate increases slightly when Gibson isn't playing. So what? Does Gibson's presence on the pitch impede their vision or something?

Perhaps even more damning is this statistic. Gibson has played 712 minutes of a possible 1080 in his 12 appearances this season, during this time he has been on the field for 16 United goals for and 11 goals against. In total these 12 games have seen 30 United goals for and 14 goals against. He has played 66% of these games yet been on the field for only 53% of the goals for and 79% of the goals against.
What would the same analysis show of the others?

These stats don't tell us anything we don't already know: he's not as good a player as Scholes, he's tidy, passes well but isn't assertive. As Solskjaer said, there's more to come from him if they can only get it out of him.

[DeLorean]

Most of the stats are a bit pointless alright. The only thing that really matters is that United are a far better side without him, and you wouldn't need any stats to see that.

[John83]

The stats are a bit worthless. Pass completion will vary significantly with formation and style of play. Man Utd players won't try so many low percentage passes against Chelsea as against West Ham. They won't need to tackle as much - they'll just have possession a lot of the time. Statistical analysis of sport is one of the most consistently mind-numbingly crappily implemented uses of statistics, and that's a competitive field.