Darron Gibson

[jbyrne]

Some players are expressly instructed by their managers not to do this. There was a reason why Whelan and Andrews rarely, if ever, got stuck into tackles in the middle of the field under Trap; doing so would have drawn them out of the position they were instructed to occupy. They were to act as a wall rather than press. Just because Gibson mightn't be getting stuck into tackles, doesn't mean he's not up for a game. It's entirely possible he's under orders to restrain himself.

imo Gibson does neither. i've watched him many a time fail to even close down players on the edge of our own box for example. surely that cant be a tactic?

[DeLorean]

As Brendan Rodgers would say... he dominates the space! :o

[DannyInvincible]

imo Gibson does neither. i've watched him many a time fail to even close down players on the edge of our own box for example. surely that cant be a tactic?

Gibson's primary strength/role is neither. Alex Ferguson's quote one page back is insightful. Gibson's former manager explicitly instructed his then-players to keep his former man off the ball in space in midfield. They failed to do this and Gibson ran the show, in Ferguson's words. Gibson is a ball-playing catalyst. He's a passer and helps create variation in attack; he's not primarily a tackler or a wall. He remains in or finds ball-receiving space so he can first receive the ball before moving it onward.

It's a few years old, but there's a very good analysis of what he offers here: http://eplindex.com/18008/everton-importance-darron-gibson-opta-stats-analysis.html


As players bathe in the glory of Monday’s win, one man unlikely to experience a similar surge of public admiration is Darron Gibson. Since his Manchester United days there has tended to be an almost apathetic perception of his ability, as much of his fine on-field work generally passes by unnoticed. For example, how many non-Everton fans acknowledged the delivery for Fellaini’s goal on Monday? Additionally, the fact Gibson never played a minute of Euro 2012 was seen as an outrage to Evertonians, yet Giovanni Trapattoni’s decision to opt for Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews fuelled few debates elsewhere. His unheralded reputation is strange, yet undeterred Gibson continues to complete his on-field business in an uncomplicated, low-key manner.

So why the sudden urge to highlight his input? Given that fact that when Gibson played last season Everton were victorious 55% of the time – the highest win-percentage for anyone in David Moyes’ squad – his presence is clearly useful. An even more impressive statistic was the fact the Toffees are yet to lose with Gibson on the team-sheet. In fact, the Irishman has not tasted a Premier League defeat for over two years now, and his part in the victory on Monday takes his unbeaten run to 28 games – which raises further questions about why opinions of him are so average among football fans.

His influence for Everton has clearly been significant, but what has he contributed to make the Toffees so troublesome to overcome? Here is a look some of his numbers from last season.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/1_zps5hys1wcc.png

Whilst he doesn’t sprint away with any category, he is among the front-runners in several areas, and his consistent, rounded results emphasise his polished technique that’s effective in both halves of the field. However, the key statistic to explore further is his – and Everton’s – average passes per match. By viewing the Toffees’ tendencies before he arrived, and comparing them to what’s been achieved with Gibson at the club, it becomes apparent just how much he has helped transform Everton’s approach.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/2_zpsebuowdaz.png

As is patently clear, thanks to Gibson and his fellow January arrivals, David Moyes has been able to adopt an ideology far more pass-friendly and attractive on the eye. By spreading the play and deliberately choosing to cross less, Everton have found scoring and – most importantly – results, far easier to attain. By already being the fourth most frequent passer at the club, Gibson is clearly very central to this.

What had stalled them before January was their one-dimensional offence, which was all-too-easily negated. Once in possession, players would slowly shift the ball laterally, waiting for an opportune moment to cross. The primary objective of attacking from wide seemed the only option after Mikel Arteta’s departure left Leighton Baines as the club’s chief creative source. Void of alternative solutions, Everton would relentlessly pepper the penalty area, even recording over 40 crosses in the 2011 home games against Stoke, Norwich and Wolves.

Thankfully David Moyes can now add variety. With Gibson and Steven Pienaar boosting the passing game, and the movement and potency of Nikica Jelavic troubling defences, Moyes’ tools are drastically upgraded. The wide approach is still employed, though with better, quicker and more frequent passes, the Toffees can now play through a team instead of only looking to go around. Being able to dissect a defence by other means, incorporating a duel threat, naturally enhances the success-rate of both approaches – hence Everton’s glut of goals post January. It’s worth noting Gibson hasn’t featured in every game since his arrival, but his purchase was certainly crucial in enabling this change of concept.

Further insight into this evolution can be gained by taking into account the contribution of Darron Gibson compared to Jack Rodwell. Conveniently they both enjoyed an almost identical time on the pitch last season and were assigned similar roles – as the central midfielder with more of a focus on distribution.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/3_zpsljkap411.png

Gibson’s production compared to Rodwell shows just how transposed the passing game has become with him in this role. Having far more touches and passing more frequently is one thing, but Gibson almost entirely dominates the board, making significantly more impact at both ends of the field, with the final third entries a particularly revealing discovery. As well as decorating his value, this also entirely explains and validates the Toffees’ decision to offload Rodwell.

As well as this rejuvenated passing game, Gibson has even helped reintroduce another style of play. Against the very top sides and on some away days, the possession Marouane Fellaini can grant his side up the field often tempts Moyes to employ a direct brand of counter-attacking football. By bringing the ball down with his chest, Fellaini allows Everton instant possession in advanced positions, ideal against sides keen to occupy the ball – a ploy demonstrated against Manchester United. Fearing a weakened midfield, this was something Moyes was never entirely comfortable to persevere with, but the presence and security Gibson brings has seen it feature far more prominently since January.

While his team-mates grab the headlines, the addition of Darron Gibson may well prove to be one of David Moyes’ most shrewd manoeuvres, and his transfer is undeniably as coup. He augments the passing game, helps adds variety in attack and brings stability to midfield. Since January, the Everton manager has been afforded more structure, depth and tactical flexibility, all thanks to his well-judged January additions. Jelavic’s goals and Pienaar’s artistry will always attract attention, but the less-glamorous part Gibson plays seems every bit as essential.

This coming season, given the options at Moyes’ fingertips, Everton’s midfield is likely to become as situational as ever. Players will shuffle in and out, roles will interchange and vary and Fellaini seems likely to alternate between his defensive and offensive duties. Yet while the rest of the personnel fluctuate, expect the one constant to be Darron Gibson, pulling the strings in the heart of Everton’s midfield. Maybe by the end of the season, a few more will notice.

Another article on his under-appreciated role here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1813326-why-darron-gibsons-injury-is-a-major-blow-to-everton


His signing wasn't especially celebrated by Evertonians, but he's consistently impressed since making his debut, and most fans now consider him an integral selection.

The Irishman plays as a midfield general and tempo setter, moving the Toffees around better than anyone in the past few years. He initially formed an effective partnership with Marouane Fellaini and, when fit, was instrumental in the Toffees' impressive run to the 2012 FA Cup semifinal.

His excellent positional sense complemented Fellaini's more aggressive approach, while his ability on the ball and accurate diagonal passes kept his side moving forward.

...

Despite Martinez introducing a new style, Gibson was one of the more natural fits into a possession-based approach, which will further frustrate his manager.

The Irishman's comfortable bringing the ball out of defence, continually shifting Everton's shape as he moves between the lines.

[DeLorean]

Additionally, the fact Gibson never played a minute of Euro 2012 was seen as an outrage to Evertonians, yet Giovanni Trapattoni’s decision to opt for Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews fuelled few debates elsewhere. His unheralded reputation is strange, yet undeterred Gibson continues to complete his on-field business in an uncomplicated, low-key manner.

Had to laugh at that bit.

[jbyrne]

Gibson is a ball-playing catalyst. He's a passer and helps create variation in attack; he's not primarily a tackler or a wall. He remains in or finds ball-receiving space so he can first receive the ball before moving it onward.


i've played junior football with lads with similar "qualities". its the same lads who went missing from training and matches when it got cold and thought their grannys birthday was an excuse to miss a game

[OwlsFan]

i've played junior football with lads with similar "qualities". its the same lads who went missing from training and matches when it got cold and thought their grannys birthday was an excuse to miss a game

You played with Stephen Ireland ?

[Irish_Praha]

You played with Stephen Ireland ?

No that was their 3 funerals

[DeLorean]

I remember this from the time but just came across it again there. The Soccer Saturday lads discussing Gibson's move from Manchester United to Everton is pretty funny.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPIFOoz3Bmk

[SkStu]

That's absolutely brilliant!

[geysir]

Darron's playing in this league cup game against Wes' Norwich, it's gone to ET and he's lasting the pace.
I wouldn't be surprised if he's first in line to partner James at CM in the first leg.
At least he's a viable talented option, which we are short of.

[tetsujin1979]

Played the full 90, and extra time, and scored in the shoot out. Not bad!

[geysir]

Not just an ordinary shoot out penalty but he emphatically scored the pressure penalty kick.

[tetsujin1979]

similar to Hoolahan, it'll be interesting to see if he plays this weekend

[DeLorean]

That's a super amount of football to get into his legs anyway. Badly needed.

[geysir]

similar to Hoolahan, it'll be interesting to see if he plays this weekend
Gibson played a defensive midfield role in this game, more similar to Whelan i would have thought.

[tetsujin1979]

Gibson played a defensive midfield role in this game, more similar to Whelan i would have thought.

similar, as in "in a similar fitness situation", not "playing in a similar position"

[DeLorean]

It will be interesting to see if he can break up the McCarthy/Barry partnership, hopefully at Barry's expense obviously. Besic is expected back shortly too of course. Barry turns 35 in a couple of months.

[DeLorean]

I always consider the real pressure ones to be those where if you miss you're team is out. I think Gibson was in a relatively comfortable situation knowing that even if he missed Everton would still be well in it. Hardly a criticism, just sayin'! They're all pressure kicks in that scenario really I suppose. Brilliant penalty anyway (https://youtu.be/5YjekldkgH4?t=4m52s), similar to Meyler's but probably more powerfully struck.

Seemed to be involved in the game generally going by the highlights, lovely pass at the start of that clip.

Interview here- (http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2015/10/28/gibson-happy-to-get-through)

[Irwin3]

Good to see him play 120 mins. The penalty was quality. He was rusty though, giving the ball away sloppily near his own goal on a few occasions. Also, he was playing CB for the last hour of the match. He did ok there generally since Norwich weren't really a threat from open play and this repositioning probably helped him last the full 120. Same hopes as usual for him now; stay fit and don't break down!

[DeLorean]

Gibson seems to be the fifth choice central midfield option for Everton now when everybody's fit. I wonder would Everton have conceded as many goals if Gibson had replaced McCarthy instead of Cleverley?

A lot has been made of Everton's leaky defence but the sh!t has only really hit the fan since McCarthy got injured, which was with twenty minutes remaining against Bournemouth, in which they were keeping a clean sheet at the time he was replaced and ended up conceding three! They weren't exactly flawless with McCarthy in the side either but they've definitely looked more vulnerable in his absence, particularly at Goodison. Cleverley might get around the pitch a bit quicker but I would say that Gibson is the more intelligent footballer and would offer more protection to his defence, while having more ability on the ball also.

Besic came on for the last half hour against Tottenham on Sunday and he was excellent to be fair. More bad news for Gibbo!

[tetsujin1979]

Linked with a loan move to Sheffield Wednesday in the morning's gossip

[Irwin3]

Hopefully there is something in this rumour. It has been lingering around for a while. To be available for the play-off final I think you have to sign after this Thursday as the loan only covers up to 93 days. Everton are in Dubai right now. It would be interesting to know if Gibson travelled out with them or not.

[DeLorean]

MON makes things very clear (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leave-everton-loan-darron-gibson-10953523)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Should go to Hibernian. Stokesy needs a wing man on nights out.

[seanfhear]

MON makes things very clear (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leave-everton-loan-darron-gibson-10953523)Very reasonable from MON. Gibson has to play games and play well if he wants to be considered for the squad.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Everton lead West Ham 2-0. Everton end up losing 2-3.

I'm astounded that Gibson can't even get on the bench for this team, if fit.

[OwlsFan]

Everton lead West Ham 2-0. Everton end up losing 2-3.

I'm astounded that Gibson can't even get on the bench for this team, if fit.

I am in two minds about Gibson. Firstly, because Trap wasn't selecting him, he was the greatest thing since sliced bread by some non-Trap fans. However, he then came back to play for us when Trap departed and injured himself in that game and never really recovered. Really feel for someone injured when playing for Ireland but I don't believe he was/is what he was made out to be by some, not that we're flush with talent or anything. Kevin Doyle is another who was injured while playing for us whose career then took a downward turn thereafter.

[Stuttgart88]

Lots of talent but somewhere along the line the he lacked the self-confidence, fitness and luck required to elevate him above the ranks of similarly talented players. I often think he'd have done better rising through the ranks rather than being a Man United starling. He always seemed content giving a tidy pass to Scholes rather than looking to be Scholes. At a lesser club in a lesser setting he might have developed the confidence to be the main act. I think he has tons of ability and head-up elegance.

[DeLorean]

I would have thought that confidence was the one thing he didn't lack to be honest. He was totally disillusioned with Trap when he suggested moving from Man Utd and felt so hard done by after not playing in the Euros that he took a time out. I don't really think he was ever a guy to shy away from a long pass either, or strike at goal for that matter. If anything, maybe over-confidence has been his undoing? I'm only speculating now but I could see the likes of Cleverley breaking his arse for Martinez, maybe Gibson just doesn't have that same drive or application. There's no way he should be out of the picture at Everton to the extent he is.

[SkStu]

I think people are surprisingly quick to forget how excellent he was when he joined Everton and before his injury. He was their best player and the fans etc loved him. More bad luck with injuries than any lack of willingness, ability or commitment. I feel he is another one of those that we never really got to see the best of in a green shirt..

[DeLorean]

Not at all (for me anyway), if it wasn't for that period when he seemed to be doing very well there would be no major mystery around his current predicament. Maybe the injuries have taken their toll at this stage but he's been fit for quite a while now as far as I know, since the time he played 120mins in the League Cup against Norwich? If he's not motoring by now (fitness wise) he really is screwed. Maybe that drink driving charge hasn't helped his case either.

[Irwin3]

Not at all (for me anyway), if it wasn't for that period when he seemed to be doing very well there would be no major mystery around his current predicament. Maybe the injuries have taken their toll at this stage but he's been fit for quite a while now as far as I know, since the time he played 120mins in the League Cup against Norwich? If he's not motoring by now (fitness wise) he really is screwed. Maybe that drink driving charge hasn't helped his case either.

There is certainly still a big question mark of his state of fitness. Martinez did let us know recently that he was unavailable for the Aston Villa game (March 1st) with some unspecificied injury but that he was back available for the West Ham game (March 5th). This was the first time an injury had been mentioned (although unspecified) by Martinez since Gibson was made available in September.

The fact that he hasn't gone out on loan perhaps adds to the doubts that others may have about his fitness. For all we know he may have been struggling with his fitness throughout the season behind closed doors. The fact that Martinez was prepared to use him so soon after the drink driving charge leads me to suspect that that has not been the major problem. Being down the list and possibly struggling physically are what I would suspect more to be Gibson's problems.

He's out of contract at the end of the season. A loan of any sort would surely be beneficial for him to prove his fitness to a) compete for a squad place for Ireland and b) prove his fitness and form to any prospective employer. We've seen over the last few years that solid pros are finding it hard to get clubs and have spent time looking for clubs. With Gibson's lack of playing time over the last two and a half years and his big wage demands, I'm unsure over if there'll be many takers. Maybe a pay as you play deal?

[OwlsFan]

Was watching Football Gold on Sky this am (Wife at the shops) and who should turn up playing for Wolves against Burnley in 2007 (I think) but a very youthful Mr. Gibson and scored a nice goal as well (the only goal in his loan spell there). Ward and Elliott were also playing for Wolves.

[damojag]

Gibson annoys the hell out of me, massive potential and I've no idea where it went wrong - was it playing for the big club when he should have been elsewhere? He was a legend on one of those Football Manager games!

[tetsujin1979]

starts for Everton today against Southampton, first start in the league in more than a year

[geysir]

That's very good news, in for James I suppose?

[tetsujin1979]

That's very good news, in for James I suppose?
probably, Barkley dropped to the bench as well, which is strange but he is carrying a knock

[SkStu]

starts for Everton today against Southampton, first start in the league in more than a year

Commentator says 1st start in a year and only his 4th start since Martinez took over. Wow.

[SkStu]

Goes through Shane Long to stop a breakaway and Long goes down. And stays down.

Fortunately back on his feet now.

Come on Gibbo FFS!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Good news for Gibson & O'Kane that Judge is out of the Euros & Arter is an injury doubt.

Or perhaps it is unreasonable of me to simply suggest that Arter is doubtful for the Euros.

[tetsujin1979]

Good news for Gibson & O'Kane that Judge is out of the Euros & Arter is an injury doubt.

Or perhaps it is unreasonable of me to simply suggest that Arter is doubtful for the Euros.
Get over yourself. Arter's availability for the Euros is not the subject of an ongoing court case

[DeLorean]

I don't think that's what he's referring to but he still needs to get over himself.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I'm confused.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Played well judging by comments on GrandOldTeam.

[Eminence Grise]

I'm confused.

Defused might be a more popular default setting.

[CraftyToePoke]

Starts V Man U in the FA Cup semi.

[SwanVsDalton]

Big opportunity this for Gibson - cup semi-final against his old club, with a point or two to prove and a possible Euros spot on the line.

[CraftyToePoke]

Big opportunity this for Gibson

Yep, I didn't see this one coming, let's hope he goes out there and reminds everyone how good he can be. Good luck to him today.

[Stuttgart88]

If Dimitar Berbatov was a deep lying midfielder he'd be Darron Gibson. Economy of effort.

[geysir]

Darren played so deep I though he was the centre half.