Darron Gibson

[zero]

i thought he did ok - used the ball well when it came to him and stuck to his position. he seems slower than usual though... it does come off a bit like not being too bothered.

mccarthy didn't play particularly well i thought.

[tetsujin1979]

yesterday was his 50th start for Everton. It was James McCarthy 101st

[Irwin3]

He did ok yesterday. His stats were decent. Most tackles made by anyone on the pitch. 2nd in passes made, passing accuracy, interceptions, accurate long balls for Everton.

He generally does look slower and he was basically a CB for the second half. This has basically happened on all 3 of his starts that I've seen this season. Whether this is because he is f***** or a deliberate tactic I don't know. Martinez was happy to see it happen for the whole half so it makes me think it was deliberate and it allowed Stones to bring the ball out and indeed it coincided with Everton's best spell of play in a match in a long time. Hopefully some regular minutes could help him develop some match fitness. Don't forget this is only his second game since January.

[Charlie Darwin]

Darren played so deep I though he was the centre half.
He dropped back there a lot to allow Stones ineffectively play out his Beckenbauer fantasies. Gibson was impressive second half particularly. Could be timing his run perfectly for the Euros.

[OwlsFan]

He dropped back there a lot to allow Stones ineffectively play out his Beckenbauer fantasies. Gibson was impressive second half particularly. Could be timing his run perfectly for the Euros.

And he'd better get a game as well otherwise he might go home in a huff..

[tetsujin1979]

Starts again today in midfield for Everton. First time McCarthy and Gibson have started together in the league since March 2015

[SkStu]

He's done better this week to be fair to him. Some nice long passing and simple link up play. He does play ridiculously deep! I also think he makes Stones look/play better. Always an out pass for him and on the same wavelength.

McCarthy has been very quiet apart from skiffing an air shot in a good position.

Arter hasn't impressed me too much apart from a couple of good tackles. But the commentators have been very complimentary so I'm probably missing something.

[tetsujin1979]

signed a new two year deal at Everton: https://twitter.com/everton/status/740906457483218948

NEWS ALERT! @D_gibson4 (https://twitter.com/D_gibson4) has extended his contract by two years to 2018. #EFC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash).

[DeLorean]

That's an interesting one!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Wonder if Koeman had a say in this?

Gibson said he was fit all season interestingly enough.

[Irwin3]

signed a new two year deal at Everton: https://twitter.com/everton/status/740906457483218948

That's an interesting one!

Wonder if Koeman had a say in this?

Gibson said he was fit all season interestingly enough.

Very surprising news. The most interesting aspect is of course whether Koeman gave the thumbs up and then ultimately where Gibson will be in the pecking order next season. Hopefully he (and the rest of the Everton squad) will benefit under the new fitness regime as well since Koeman will be bringing his fitness guru with him.

[Stuttgart88]

If Koeman is behind this it's definitely good news. A fit and confident Gibson could be a great asset. Although he was far from flawless I thought he looked every inch a thoroughbred at Turners Cross.

Total unfulfillment of his potential for both club and country so far. I used to feel his attitude was a decent part of the explanation and maybe he was a bit over confident but his drink driving thing was hopefully a major wake up call. I don't think he can harbour any bitterness over not making the squad so hopefully he'll be prepared to roll up his sleeves and be ambitious in terms of his international career.

[DeLorean]

Koeman surely had a say, it wouldn't make sense not to consult him. I suppose Gareth Barry is 35 at this stage and Besic and McCarthy are a little too similar maybe? A good show of faith all the same so hopefully he can stay fit and kick on.

[tetsujin1979]

still only 28 too, seems to have been around forever

[Stuttgart88]

Yep. I remember him at Croker v Cyprus. 2006?

[tetsujin1979]

The 1-1 game? October 2007. Friend of mine had a free ticket, and left after Cyprus scored. Saw the equaliser in the pub.

[pineapple stu]

I think half the crowd was in the pub by that stage!

Didn't stop really loud booing and chants for Stan and Delaney to go though.

[DeLorean]

Gibson had no involvement in that game, must be the Cyprus 1-0 game under Trap which was his first start for us according to Wikipedia. He had made two substitute appearances under Staunton though, the Denmark 4-0 and Slovakia 2-2.

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, def the Trap game. Couldn't remember the date but 18 would probably have been too young.

[Irwin3]

Played the first 45 against Czech side FK Jablonec in Austria. First half finished 0-0, Everton scored from a corner in the second half to win 1-0. I caught a few mins of this after realising it wasn't in fact 'behind closed doors' as was originally thought. Gibson looked in good nick, continuing on from where he left off against Belarus. :)

Some positive comments from the Evertonians in here http://toffeeweb.com/comment/live/

He's looked pretty tasty in the training montages that Everton have posted from their camp in Austria. Remember when he was a goalscoring midfielder? This is as close as we get to seeing that these days.

Scores the first and last goals in this video (both headers):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8Up3IcIAg4

[Irwin3]

Scored the second and last goals in this video. That last goal is a left footed beauty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVeWMGlws3Q

Hopefully he has impressed Koeman during this camp and will continue to do so. I think the last full pre-season he had was in 2010 (probably jinxed it now). Everton have been linked with a host of midfielders (also, McCarthy linked with Stoke) so who knows where the pieces will fall in the coming weeks.

[tetsujin1979]

appeared for the Everton U23 last night, but is still short of match fitness after a groin operation according to this: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-midfielder-darron-gibson-must-12131071

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I fear his career is going the same way Andy Reid's did in the end.

[gastric]

I fear his career is going the same way Andy Reid's did in the end.

I really believe he is a quality player who has been beset by injury and bad luck. He can still certainly regain his place in an Irish squad, but possibly needs a loan move in January. I always think of players like Peter Reid and Keith Andrews, who once they overcome their seemingly never ending injuries, showed their true potential at the highest level.

[tetsujin1979]

Starting tonight for Everton u21's in the Checkatrade Trophy

[TrapAPony]

Is this lad injured or is he continuing to be a waster taking the money and not looking for a move??

[DeLorean]

Irwin3 is usually good for an update?

[DannyInvincible]

Is this lad injured or is he continuing to be a waster taking the money and not looking for a move??

Leeds, Derby and Newcastle were reported by the Telegraph as possible destinations: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/02/20-premier-league-players-should-look-move-january/darron-gibson-20-premier-league-players-should-look-move-january/

I have no idea who the source of that info may be or how genuine those clubs' interest is.

[johnnyc]

Off for a medical at Sunderland according to Sky.

[DeLorean]

Interesting... and a permanent move (http://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/10748399/sunderland-set-to-sign-darron-gibson-and-bryan-oviedo) no less.

Hopefully Moyes didn't have Gibson in mind when he said this last week!...

"I'd be kidding you on if I said the players we are going to bring in in January are going to massively make a big difference"

[OwlsFan]

Irwin3 is usually good for an update?

He hasn't posted since August.

A move for Gibson anywhere would be good assuming that he would get 1st team football there.

[osarusan]

Hopefully Moyes didn't have Gibson in mind when he said this last week!...

"I'd be kidding you on if I said the players we are going to bring in in January are going to massively make a big difference"



Haha, wtf? Real inspirational stuff from Moyes, and such a vote of confidence in whoever does come in.

He's like a Scottish Ollie Horgan.

[Stuttgart88]

There aren't many players about whom I'd say a move to Sunderland is good news, but this is good news.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I am delighted about this move. I think he still has something to offer. His last run in the PL towards the end of last season was impressive enough I thought, taking into account his injury absence. I wonder if Jack Rodwell, who I think is an inferior player, would have been discarded in such a similar manner?

Even if he ends up in the Championship next season it's not a disaster, as a Championship move looked like his best option until recently.

Good luck to him.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

It's official.


“We’ve got Darron on an 18-month contract and I think he’s a very good footballer; he’ll add a bit of quality with his passing and his play and I’d love him to add goals.

“He has a really good strike and if he can add goals from midfield it would be a big bonus.”

[Stuttgart88]

Talented player alright. I like him and his type of player. I liked how he tried to play at Turners Cross last May. There are pics of him and Oviedo on Twitter. He looks in good shape. He looked to be carrying a bit of weight last spring but looks leaner now. Maybe it’s the red :)

https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/826101988123430912

[CraftyToePoke]

Delighted with this, imagine if they stay up with him playing well for the remainder, setting up Defoe week after week, Conor who ? Harry who ? James who ? ;)
I think his game would transfer superbly to international ball and his talent is unquestioned, lets hope this move finally sees him tick the other boxes too.

[tetsujin1979]

Talented player alright. I like him and his type of player. I liked how he tried to play at Turners Cross last May. There are pics of him and Oviedo on Twitter. He looks in good shape. He looked to be carrying a bit of weight last spring but looks leaner now. Maybe it’s the red :)

https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/826101988123430912could be the vertical stripes. Quite slimming, I'm led to believe.

[Irwin3]

Haven't watched a Sunderland game in a long time, but if Gibbo's playing I'll be watching. A fit Gibbo playing regularish would be great to see.

[liamoo11]

God I love Gibson .

[seanfhear]

Interesting... and a permanent move (http://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/10748399/sunderland-set-to-sign-darron-gibson-and-bryan-oviedo) no less.

Hopefully Moyes didn't have Gibson in mind when he said this last week!...

"I'd be kidding you on if I said the players we are going to bring in in January are going to massively make a big difference"

Some sort of Masterful Psychological (?) stuff from Moyes........It has to be doesn't it.............

[CraftyToePoke]

Some sort of Masterful Psychological (?) stuff from Moyes........It has to be doesn't it.............

Can never figure out if he is just trying to manage expectations or intent on talking himself out of another job, you would think whinging about the scale of the task ahead soon after being handed the Old Trafford dynasty and a team that walked to the title the previous year might have taught him on that front.

[Charlie Darwin]

I wonder if Jack Rodwell, who I think is an inferior player, would have been discarded in such a similar manner?
Well, considering they've both now been sent to Sunderland, yes.

[DannyInvincible]

Delighted to see Gibson on the move rather than rotting away. Hopefully Sunderland works out for him, he can stay injury-free and he gets an opportunity to shine.

[gastric]

Fantastic player and I can't wait to see him back in green. Could become a hero at Sunderland.

[OwlsFan]

Haven't watched a Sunderland game in a long time, but if Gibbo's playing I'll be watching. A fit Gibbo playing regularish would be great to see.

Welcome back, Irwin3. How's your brother, Darron ;)

[jbyrne]

Fantastic player and I can't wait to see him back in green. Could become a hero at Sunderland.

fantastic player...... based on what exactly?

[Irwin3]

Welcome back, Irwin3. How's your brother, Darron ;)

Hopefully he's ready for the challenge ahead. Bottom of the league is a bit different from Man Utd and Everton. Hopefully they can get Gibbo on the pitch for at least 10 of the remaining games. On paper Sunderland seem reasonable so I give them a decent chance of staying up following the addition of the mighty Gibbo. Pretty good price on this as well at the moment! Seems like they've been written off but they'e only 3 points from safety.

[gastric]

fantastic player...... based on what exactly?

Stutts has his enormous gut and I get a throbbing in my loin when I watch good Irish footballers. Same instinct at work. Watch him and see I'm right!

[Charlie Darwin]

Stutts has his enormous gut
Darron could empathise with that to be fair.