Darron Gibson

[Charlie Darwin]

Moyes should drop our Darron more often by the looks of it.

[seanfhear]

Moyes has been some fly in Martin O'Neills Sunderland lately. Moyes has certainly subdued the O'Neill effect agaist Everton.

[Stuttgart88]

Plenty of newspaper coverage of Gibson in advance of today's semi final. He must have been dragged out at a press conference as several articles say pretty much the same thing about him. The Times also had a similar piece but it's subscription only.

He has clearly benefitted from the move and the press are starting to acknowledge his ability.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/apr/13/darron-gibson-everton

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/darron-gibson-i-am-not-a-failure-3080772.html (article taken from UK Indy)

And he's a recent one from the Telegraph, with Moyes confirming what those of us who were positive about Gibson have posted about him on this site.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/9179253/Darron-Gibson-is-becoming-Evertons-lucky-mascot.html


“I have always liked Darron and thought there was something there,” said Moyes. “It is going to take time and there is more to come. He probably needs a wee bit of the treatment as well.

He will need to get whipped a couple of times. I am sure he has had that with his previous manager as well. We will try to get him to be a bit braver in a lot of the things he does.”

[John83]

From the Indo piece,

"The football here is a lot different to what it was at United. I was shocked at how hard we worked. It took me a few games to get used to it. The difference is that Manchester United have the ball most of the time, don't they?
"In recent weeks, when we have been getting results, we have been pressing teams and working hard to do it -- which is something we didn't do too much of at Manchester United. I am probably the fittest I have ever been in my career."
Positive stuff, given people's previous reservations about him in terms of his ability to do what Trappatoni asks of his midfielders.

[Stuttgart88]

I only saw the second half today and Everton were on the back foot for all of it. Pretty poor standard all round from what I saw, Suarez being the only exception. Gibson largely anonymous I thought.

[geysir]

Very much an unplugged performance from Darron. He was very smart with the ball and his use of, but there wasn't any evidence of that born in Everton work rate. He really is not inclined to run about the pitch.

[liamoo11]

Had a very good first half pushed everton on the front foot. Coleman was woefulwhen came on unfortunately

[geysir]

I will admit I didn't tune in until the 2nd half. He must have overexerted himself in the 1st half.

[DeLorean]

He was pretty average in the first half too but was on the ball some bit. Terrible standard all round, thought Fellaini was Everton's best player, especially in the first half. Liverpool bossed the second half really.

[KK77]

A bang average player Gibson. Would much prefer McCarthy to go to the Euro's but listening to Trap it's not looking likely.

[Crosby87]

Gibs says he did not fail at The U:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1050561/everton-midfielder-darron-gibson:-i-wasn't-a-failure-at-man-utd?cc=5901

[Scooby Doo]

"So I've come here to start showing people how good a player I am. I wouldn't say I failed I'd say I never got the chance I wanted."

No harm in publically defending yourself but I think Darren is wrong in suggesting that he never got a chance. He got plenty of chances at Man United but he failed to take them alot of the time. He has his much heralded long-range shot and can pass the ball well times but he never demonstrated the midfield 'steel' that was required of him in the MU midfield - Trapattoni spoke of this at one stage I think.

[geysir]

I wouldn't be too picky about analysing what he was quoted as saying.
In general he feels he has the making of a credible EPL player, that he's better than being described as a Man U failure. That's fair enough. The pertinent point is that he has to continue with his game and maybe after he has proven himself over the course of a full season, he can then talk about it.
At the moment, he's still in the 'could'a been a contender' category.

[seanfhear]

Footballers should do most of their talking on the football field.

Thats where the vast majority of people form their opinion of footballers.

[Stuttgart88]

As per my post from Saturday morning where I pointed out that almost every newspaper ran the same article on Gibson, which included that quote, it's obvious he was put in front of a mike at a press conference and asked that question. Not his fault people hang over every word footballers are quoted as saying.

For what it's worth, it's a dumb question to ask in my opinion. If he was a roaring success he'd still be there, but calling him a failure is pointless.

[liamoo11]

Played well today continues to show he is premiership class. Really thought he pushed forward and took loads of responsibility when everton went behind winning one great challenge to keep posseseion. delighted for those idiotic utd fans who hounded him off twitter. i really hope starts in the euros

[Charlie Darwin]

It's unfortunate that Gibson's blossomed during a period when there's been only one international game, which he had the bad luck to be injured for. Hopefully his fitness lasts through the end of the season and he can make his claim for a starting place in the warm-up games.

[DeLorean]

I agree with you about the twitter cowards Liamoo but didn't think he played well yesterday at all. Yet to see him play well to be honest, watching all the wrong games obviously. He does seem to make himself available to receive possession more than he used to though.

[Charlie Darwin]

Apart from one loose pass yesterday I thought he was excellent. Perhaps he hangs back a little too much but that's probably on instruction from Moyes as Fellaini is unlikely to cover.

[Irwin3]

I agree with you about the twitter cowards Liamoo but didn't think he played well yesterday at all. Yet to see him play well to be honest, watching all the wrong games obviously. He does seem to make himself available to receive possession more than he used to though.

Burning Question: Have you seen him win a tackle yet?;)

I thought he played quite well yesterday. Tbh he was probably the most impressive out of the 4 CM's (Carrick, Scholes, Neville, Gibson) on show for me. How would you rate him compared to those 3 based on yesterday's game?

[DeLorean]

Burning Question: Have you seen him win a tackle yet?;)

I thought he played quite well yesterday. Tbh he was probably the most impressive out of the 4 CM's (Carrick, Scholes, Neville, Gibson) on show for me. How would you rate him compared to those 3 based on yesterday's game?

Thought Carrick was the best out of those four by a distance. Scholes was unusually average by his standards and Neville did his usual solid job. Fellaini was very good in a more advanced role. As for Gibson, I just don't see it yet. Even if he was as good (or average) as Scholes yesterday, that means nothing really. Scholes had a poor enough game but the jury is hardly out on him, for me it's out on Gibson in a big way.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought he was lying deeper than usual yesterday and wasn't on the ball much from what I saw (about 30 mins of the second half).

[DeLorean]

As a side note, if Everton showed half the attacking ambition at Wembley that they did yesterday I believe they would have a cup final to look forward to. They showed Liverpool a ridiculous and undeserved amount of respect that had the odour of an inferiority complex.

[Predator]

I think that Gibson has had a calming effect on Everton's midfield.

[Irwin3]

Thought Carrick was the best out of those four by a distance. Scholes was unusually average by his standards and Neville did his usual solid job. Fellaini was very good in a more advanced role. As for Gibson, I just don't see it yet. Even if he was as good (or average) as Scholes yesterday, that means nothing really. Scholes had a poor enough game but the jury is hardly out on him, for me it's out on Gibson in a big way.

Carrick's been a class above this season for sure, but yesterday I would say there wasn't much in it at all. Anyway here's a H2H of yesterday's game (I know you love stats):

Passing Accuracy: DG 83%, MC 79%
Total Passes: DG 70, MC 73
Touches: DG 83, MC 85
Tackles: DG 3, MC 5
Interceptions: DG 2, MC 1
Long Balls: DG 10, MC 13
Accurate Long Balls: DG 7, MC 8

For me the only things that Carrick was miles better at yesterday was to be a bit taller and a bit leaner. I hate to seem like I am picking at you, but I am genuinely curious as to what you saw in Carrick that made him appear to be miles better than Gibson yesterday.

[Irwin3]

As a side note, if Everton showed half the attacking ambition at Wembley that they did yesterday I believe they would have a cup final to look forward to. They showed Liverpool a ridiculous and undeserved amount of respect that had the odour of an inferiority complex.

Absolutely agree. Shame for them that they seized up and blew a great chance to get to the final.

[SkStu]

but I am genuinely curious as to what you saw in Carrick that made him appear to be miles better than Gibson yesterday.

Probably the harrying... :)

[elroy]

DG is at a great club with a great manager. He has a (At least) solid start to his career and seems to have established himself in CM there. Not saying he is responsible but since he has arrived (and Jelavic), everton have turned their season around. Given more playing time, I think DG could develop into the player we all hope he might be. Dont think he will ever be a Roy Keane type player or even a Paul Scholes for that matter, but think he has the makings of very solid very good premiership player.

[Predator]

Darron's only a year and a bit older than James McClean, by the way.

[DeLorean]

For me the only things that Carrick was miles better at yesterday was to be a bit taller and a bit leaner. I hate to seem like I am picking at you, but I am genuinely curious as to what you saw in Carrick that made him appear to be miles better than Gibson yesterday.

Don't worry I'm not that sensitive :) Basically Carrick looked like a guy trying to make things happen, doing his best to force the issue. Gibson, at best, was trying to keep things ticking over. That's all well and good but even at that his performance was patchy to say the least. Gibson has obviously got a decent passing range and it seems his positional sense for both breaking up the play and receiving possession has improved. Maybe with more games and more confidence he will really impose himself on the games. Of course, some of you already believe he is doing this, I just haven't seen it yet myself.

[Predator]

Gibson was taken off early enough today. Does anyone know if he it was because of an injury?

Oh and that Croatian Jelavic scored another couple - Dunne, get the notepad out.

[Irwin3]

Gibson back today for Everton. Hopefully that foul-machine Tiote doesn't do him any damage today...

[Irwin3]

Gibson survived the foul-machine and by all acounts had another fine performance, apparently coming close with a couple of shots and grabbing an assist as Everton demolished Newcastle 3-1.

Another season unbeaten for Gibbo in the PL. That takes his tally to 27 without loss in the PL. Great move in Jan and some really encouraging performances for Everton. With Gibson, Everton's record was P15 W9 D5 L1. Gibson also played more minutes this season than any other in his career so far despite being injured for a couple of spells and being surplus to requirements at Man Utd for the first half of the season.

For me he's our best midfielder in the squad and I would love to see him impress at the Euro's.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm no expert on statistics, nor am I a great judge of footballer, but I'm fairly sure this makes Darron Gibson the best footballer in the world.

[Stuttgart88]

I remember Arsenal's ex-Millwall player Jimmy Carter went years without winning a game.

[tetsujin1979]

wasn't there something about Gareth Bale never starting a win for Spurs until last season?

[nigel-harps1954]

Open to argument on this one, but I believe Gibson is exactly the kind of player that needs to be playing against Spain. Won't take any guff from Iniesta and co, and will pop up with a cracker against an ageing Casillas, who in my opinion isn't half the keeper he used to be.

[John83]

Open to argument on this one, but I believe Gibson is exactly the kind of player that needs to be playing against Spain. Won't take any guff from Iniesta and co, and will pop up with a cracker against an ageing Casillas, who in my opinion isn't half the keeper he used to be.
He's 31, so I presume that by "ageing" you mean he's subject to the ravages of time, like the rest of us.

[nigel-harps1954]

He's 31, so I presume that by "ageing" you mean he's subject to the ravages of time, like the rest of us.

Indeed, the man has been around for a long time now. Been first choice at Real since he was 18. Just think he's suffering the years a bit more than most.
Could be wrong on that, and I'm sure there are plenty who will disagree, but I just don't think he's half the keeper he used to be.
Saying that however, same could be said for Shay Given.

[DeLorean]

wasn't there something about Gareth Bale never starting a win for Spurs until last season?

Well it's about three seasons ago by now but yeah, and I think those stats said as much about Bale as a player as Everton's do about Gibson. Everton have been coming strong in the second half of seasons for years. It's nice that Gibson has been a part of it, great that he's playing regular football but I would attribute very little of those Man Utd/Everton stats to him.

[Irwin3]

Well it's about three seasons ago by now but yeah, and I think those stats said as much about Bale as a player as Everton's do about Gibson. Everton have been coming strong in the second half of seasons for years. It's nice that Gibson has been a part of it, great that he's playing regular football but I would attribute very little of those Man Utd/Everton stats to him.

I think the Everton fans would disagree. In the 8 games he missed their record was W2, D4, L2.

By the way. Bale was a joke of a player when he started at Spurs. He looked a nervous wreck and was played at left-back or as a sub and was part of many calamities if I recall correctly.

[tetsujin1979]

I think the Everton fans would disagree. In the 8 games he missed their record was W2, D4, L2.

By the way. Bale was a joke of a player when he started at Spurs. He looked a nervous wreck and was played at left-back or as a sub and was part of many calamities if I recall correctly.he was almost loaned out at one point until injuries forced Redknapp into trying him at left wing. The rest is history.

[DeLorean]

I think the Everton fans would disagree. In the 8 games he missed their record was W2, D4, L2.

The two defeats were at Anfield and at home to Arsenal, where they were very unlucky not to get a result. They also lost to Liverpool with Gibson in the side but we won't let an FA Cup semi final defeat skew those flawless Gibbo stats.


By the way. Bale was a joke of a player when he started at Spurs. He looked a nervous wreck and was played at left-back or as a sub and was part of many calamities if I recall correctly.

He was also 18 years of age making a big step up. He had some decent moments early on but got injured for a good while. When he returned Juande Ramos was in charge having being signed by Martin Jol. He did look a nervous player at that point.


he was almost loaned out at one point until injuries forced Redknapp into trying him at left wing. The rest is history.

Actually an injury to Assou-Ekotto forced Redknapp to play him at left-back, where he excelled. When Ekotto returned Bale was moved to the left wing.

[Irwin3]

The two defeats were at Anfield and at home to Arsenal, where they were very unlucky not to get a result. They also lost to Liverpool with Gibson in the side but we won't let an FA Cup semi final defeat skew those flawless Gibbo stats.


What are you on about? All the games are included in the stats.

With Gibson:
P15 W9 D5 L1
(This includes victories over Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle. Draw against Man Utd.)

Without Gibson:
P8 W2 D4 L2

And if it wasn't for two brainfarts (Coleman and Distin) Everton could have won that game even after looking uncharacteristically lethargic for most of the game.

[Irwin3]

He was also 18 years of age making a big step up. He had some decent moments early on but got injured for a good while. When he returned Juande Ramos was in charge having being signed by Martin Jol. He did look a nervous player at that point.


Already know all of this. Thanks for bringing it up.

[DeLorean]

What are you on about? All the games are included in the stats.

Fair enough, my bad.


With Gibson:
P15 W9 D5 L1
(This includes victories over Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle. Draw against Man Utd.)

Saw Chelsea and Man Utd games out of those, average at best in both.


And if it wasn't for two brainfarts (Coleman and Distin) Everton could have won that game even after looking uncharacteristically lethargic for most of the game.

On the other side, Everton's goal was a "brainfart" as well. And maybe if Everton competed better in midfield they would have had a better chance also. Another poor showing from Gibson in my opinion.


Already know all of this. Thanks for bringing it up.

Presumed you didn't. Makes you calling him a "joke of a player" even more ridiculous when those things are factored in.

[Irwin3]

Presumed you didn't. Makes you calling him a "joke of a player" even more ridiculous when those things are factored in.

Those factors are what made him a joke of a player at the time. Without those factors he has since become the beast that he is today.

[DeLorean]

Those factors are what made him a joke of a player at the time. Without those factors he has since become the beast that he is today.


In summary...


Gareth Bale

Young player with huge potential---moves to big club---plays well---gets injured---new manager appears---struggles to regain form after injury---joke of a player.

Darron Gibson

Young player with huge (?) potential---plays for big club---doesn't make much of an impact---still doesn't make much of an impact---moves to smaller club---makes an bit of an impact---clearly the reason his last two clubs stats are so impressive.

[Irwin3]

What are you on about? Bale was a joke of a player when he joined Spurs. He wasn't playing well and at one stage he was going to be loaned out. Several factors contributed to his shocking form.
-Young player moves to big club
-Team struggling at times, changing managers
-Played out of position
-Injuries

I don't know why you are trying to compare them like for like. Looks like you're stuck on something?

[DeLorean]

He had played reasonably well when he joined. I agree it's neither here nor there with regards to Gibson, I wasn't being overly serious with my little timeline thing.

I just find your stats ridiculous. United were a poorer side with Gibson in the team, of that I have no doubt. So then to use stats about PL games without defeat etc to build him up is naive to put it in a nice way. I remember one week in particular last season where United were trailing 2-0 to Blackpool in a midweek game. They took Gibson off at half time and went on to win 3-2. A few days later he started again against Southampton in the FA Cup. They were losing 1-0 after about an hour, substituted Gibson and went on to win 2-1. These two games, off the top of my head, would have contributed nicely to the number of United wins where Gibson started, but hardly indicates anything positive about his contribution when it's broken down. That's what I'm on about.