Darron Gibson

[geysir]

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.
David could do with learning to use a few different words "are (not) going to massively make a big difference" .
But if we look at what David might have meant to say, the new players are going to make a big difference but not a massive big difference:)

Didn't Sunderland want to sign Darron years ago but he chose to stay at Man U and scrap for a first team spot?

[Charlie Darwin]

That was Stoke afaik

[geysir]

I see now it was in fact Sunderland, summer of 2011, they made a serious bid for him, Wes Brown and Josh, Newcastle even tried to muscle in on Darron.
I have a certificate from Tets absolving me from the mundane task of having to provide links as a support, due to my 100% track record of honesty and high moral standards.

[OwlsFan]

I get a throbbing in my loin when I watch good Irish footballers.

Could be septic bursitis. You need to keep an eye on that.

[DannyInvincible]

Former Ireland international and Sunderland player, Stephen Elliott, has written in detail about Gibson's career to date and the recent move to Sunderland: https://www.sportdec.com/app/article-single/j5w6vtxh9n89143f23jg2ft1k


I experienced the potential of Gibson during the 2007-08 season when he came in as a young Manchester United lad on loan to my club back then, Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was there I got to see at first hand, the qualities he had at his disposal.

Even as a 20-year-old, you could see he had a great range of passing and fantastic technique. He had a real maturity beyond his years on the pitch as well. Our gaffer at the time, Mick McCarthy, was really glad to have him at club, even if Gibson did come across as a bit of a grump at times.

You got the impression that he didn't fully enjoy being in the West Midlands as he felt he was ready and should have been involved in the Man United squad. I suppose this probably told you all about the belief he had in himself and how he wanted to rise right to the top of his profession. It turned out to be a quite successful season for him, where he picked up some invaluable first team experience.

After returning to his parent club, it was no surprise that over the course of the next few seasons, Sir Alex Ferguson showed enough trust in him to give him some game time in a squad drenched with world class midfielders.

Although he never became a regular in United's engine room, he did score some important goals for them which included strikes in the latter rounds of both the 2010 and 2011 Champions League campaigns.

In January 2012, he left United in search of regular first-team football and moved across the M62 to join Premier League rivals Everton. Before this move, ironically enough, the Red Devils had agreed a fee with Sunderland but it had fallen through as Gibson couldn't agree personal terms. He got off to a flyer at Everton where he really enjoyed regular football. He hit the ground running and it coincided with the club going unbeaten that season in every match he played in.

Not a bad record to hold! It’s one that I’m sure Sunderland supporters will hope repeats itself over the course of the rest of this season.

During these early periods in his career, he had also developed into an important member of the Republic of Ireland national team. Everyone was talking about how he would become ‘the future’ of the Irish midfield. As a goalscoring midfielder, he had the makings of a long and successful international player. He was playing with so much confidence and you felt he could only get better.

Although his early experiences as a footballer were full of high potential, it seems that Gibson's career has come to a sudden halt. A lot of this is down to him struggling with fitness after picking up the dreaded ACL knee injury while playing for Ireland against Kazakhstan in 2013.

Since then, his Everton appearances have been sporadic. And when they have come along, it appeared as if he was trying too hard to prove he was back to himself and full fitness. This resulted in him constantly picking up other niggles that would ruin his multiple comebacks. It definitely stopped him improving on his promising introduction at Everton.

He is now back fit and has cut his ties with Everton after struggling for game time this season under new manager Ronald Koeman. After almost six years on from disagreeing personal terms, he will now be grateful to his old Everton gaffer for giving him a chance to resurrect his career on Wearside.

Going forward, if he can stay clear of injuries, he may well be the calming influence and catalyst for the Black Cats to keep up their recent impressive record of last minute Premier League survival. He certainly has the ability to make a big contribution.

He strikes a ball as well as anyone I've seen, so he may give the forwards a helping hand with some important goals from midfield. I know he will enjoy playing at the Stadium of Light and i just hope the supporters get to see the best of him.

It would also be a good thing from Republic of Ireland's point of view as a fit Darren Gibson would definitely be an important member of Martin O'Neill's squad. His experience would be really beneficial with some big World Cup Qualifiers coming up over these next few months.

At the age of 29 now though, you get the feeling this is a make-or-break move in defining where Gibson’s career is going to go. I really do hope it goes well!

[tetsujin1979]

On the bench today against palace

[TrapAPony]

On the bench today against palace

Came on in the 52 minute for his Sunderland debut with them 4-0 up

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

First league start since April for Gibbo.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

"Gibson promises much but delivers little."

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-0-4-southampton-anlysis-12592441

[Irwin3]

Well the less said about Saturday's game the better. I don't think 3 CBs is the way to go with Gibbo playing the deep CM role. 4 at the back next time Moysie.

On a trivia note, Saturday marked the first time that Gibson has lost a home PL game that he started. Granted it was only his 26th home PL start but there you go.

[Charlie Darwin]

For a 30-year-old, that's a depressingly small total.

[Irwin3]

Yep, only 84 PL appearances in total. You're aging him a wee bit Charlie. Still only 29!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Having a pretty good game against City. Took him 15 minutes to touch the ball but since then he's been a fulcrum. Every pass is hitting its mark and he's got a few important interceptions.

Sunderland trailing 0-1 after conceding just before the break.

O'Shea blameless for the goal.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Took him four games to go off injured this time.

Let's hope it's not too serious.

Sunderland trailing 0-2 now.

[tetsujin1979]

Having a pretty good game against City. Took him 15 minutes to touch the ball but since then he's been a fulcrum. Every pass is hitting its mark and he's got a few important interceptions.

Sunderland trailing 0-1 after conceding just before the break.

O'Shea blameless for the goal.

24 completed passes out of 30: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2016/matches/855436/player-stats/27707/1_PASS_01#tabs-wrapper-anchor
three interceptions: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2016/matches/855436/player-stats/27707/3_DEFENCE_02#tabs-wrapper-anchor

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He did lose the ball with a few clearances when they were swamped in their own half and with a couple of long balls but I wouldn't worry about that.

His performance dipped a little in the second half, and he was guilty of playing the percentages - causing consternation to a teammate at one stage - but I don't think he was any worse than Larsson or N'Dong.

He seems to be catching shrapnel off Sunderland fans on the RTG forum, but I don't know what they are expecting with him. His role is to sit in front of defense, the same job Whelan does for Stoke, and I thought he did a fairly good job stemming pressure and getting blocks in.

If they want to scapegoat someone they should scapegoat Borini who was utterly anonymous apart from missing a trademark sitter in the first half.

Defoe was game but he can't do it all himself.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Injury not thought to be too severe.

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/06/david-moyes-provides-fitness-update-on-sunderlands-darron-gibson/page/1/

[DeLorean]

Gibson speaks about his drink driving episode - http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/it-was-just-a-stupid-mistake-darron-gibson-on-how-hit-and-run-incident-involving-three-cyclists-was-a-wakeup-call-35612808.html

[geysir]

Still time for Darron to surpass Keith O'Neill's 93 league starts, 30 league sub appearances and pulling out injured a record 25 times from the Irish squad.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Still time for Darron to surpass Keith O'Neill's 93 league starts, 30 league sub appearances and pulling out injured a record 25 times from the Irish squad.

http://www.the42.ie/stephen-geoghegan-interview-april-2017-3324189-Apr2017/


Injury concerns over Tony Cascarino and Keith O’Neill caused Mick McCarthy to turn to the Shelbourne striker, who travelled with the squad to Macedonia under the impression that he was likely to be required at some stage during the game. Cascarino and Jon Goodman were picked to start up front, but Geoghegan was ready to play a part.

Although Alan McLoughlin headed the visitors into an early lead, it turned out to be a memorable game for all the wrong reasons for Ireland. En route to their first ever victory in World Cup qualifying, Macedonia went 3-1 up — aided by a couple of dubious penalty decisions — and Ireland ended the game with 10 men following Jason McAteer’s kung fu demonstration. David Kelly’s late goal was a merely a consolation.

Geoghegan: “It was pretty clear beforehand that Keith O’Neill was injured but he declared himself fit anyway. I thought I was going to be one of the subs, but he was on the bench instead so I missed out.

[DannyInvincible]

According to PhysioRoom.com, Darron Gibson is the third most injury-prone EPL player in terms of cumulative days players have spent on the sidelines over the past six seasons: https://www.balls.ie/football/most-injury-prone-players-in-the-premier-league-363824

https://media.balls.ie/uploads/2017/04/25220225/Capture38.png

[liamoo11]

Move has worked out great for Gibson playing lots of games great to see him start again tonight.

[DannyInvincible]

'Relegation for Ireland’s Sunderland Duo May Bring about Contrasting Fortunes': http://www.punditarena.com/football/nmenezes/relegation-sunderland-ireland-duo/


His qualities on the ball are still evident but he has been overrun easily in his few games struggling to see out 90 minutes. In a way it is understandable under the circumstances of his consistent injuries. However, it will probably eliminate the already slim opportunity of him attracting Premier League suitors come the summer with his future looking like Championship football with his new employers.

It is a shame given Gibson’s talents, especially now that he is back playing but the Championship could be a platform for the 29-year-old to finally resurrect his once promising career and get back in the Ireland fold.

Relegation will be the same result for O’Shea and Gibson but open up two very contrasting opportunities. Unlike Gibson, O’Shea does not have the time on his hand or the vision of career resurrection. His efforts over the past few years for his side cannot be ignored with his heroics putting off relegation for season upon season. O’Shea has nothing left to prove but a run in the Championship for Gibson could be a blessing in disguise.

[tetsujin1979]

Darron Gibson starting five games in a row from February 11th is the most consecutive games he's started since since starting six games in March 2013

[DeLorean]

That's a decent article in fairness, not sure I've ever read anything worthwhile from that website before. I didn't know O'Shea's contract expires in June, that's a bit of a worry as I would have thought regular football in the Championship might have suited him at this stage as well, still might happen of course.

Good to see Gibson put a few appearances together but there always a question mark hanging over him, certainly in the title of this thread. :p

[Closed Account]

Darron Gibson being Darron Gibson.
http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/watch-drunk-darron-gibson-filmed-slamming-s-sunderland-and-teammates-who-dont-give-a-f-35981838.html

[mark12345]

Darron Gibson being Darron Gibson.
http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/watch-drunk-darron-gibson-filmed-slamming-s-sunderland-and-teammates-who-dont-give-a-f-35981838.html

Sad state of affairs for a player who once promised so much

[liamoo11]

Darron Gibson being Darron Gibson.
http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/watch-drunk-darron-gibson-filmed-slamming-s-sunderland-and-teammates-who-dont-give-a-f-35981838.html

I'm not sure about that video that lad looks way too fit to be Gibson!!

[tetsujin1979]

nothing about recording a person without their knowledge?

[DeLorean]

Sunderland to open internal disciplinary proceedings against Gibson - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40771611

[KrisLetang]

Even Deadspin are talking about it.

[Colbert Report]

nothing about recording a person without their knowledge?

He's in public. No legal expectation of privacy.

[OwlsFan]

As a friend of mine said to me: Next comment will be "I am delighted to be signing for ( insert name of mid table championship club ). I have always looked out for the (insert nickname, hoping its right) results. The manager has big ambitions for taking the club forward and I want to part of that".

[seanfhear]

As a friend of mine said to me: Next comment will be "I am delighted to be signing for ( insert name of mid table championship club ). I have always looked out for the (insert nickname, hoping its right) results. The manager has big ambitions for taking the club forward and I want to part of that".If a manger wants him out the door then he has been handed the opportunity......

[CraftyToePoke]

Starts in the cup tonight, if ever a man could do with a decent 90 so he can relax and enjoy his feed of pints after, its Darron tonight.

[KrisLetang]

"Darron Tonight"
Maybe he could have a show called that discussing world events if he fails in the cup and can't find a new team.

[Philly]

Apparently played very well

[liamoo11]

I see Gibson starting again tonight 2 games in a row is he worth a call in with McCarthy and Meyler out of away leg?

[liamoo11]

starting again today 3 in a row. O Kane was subbed at half time yesterday if him and McCarthy are both out with meyler suspended I wonder will darron come into bench for first leg?

[liamoo11]

will Chris Coleman be able to revitalize Gibson?

[Eminence Grise]

Not even Victor Frankenstein could revitalise him. He'll always be one of the puzzles for me - so much talent, so little application.

[DeLorean]

Out for 8-12 weeks, might need an operation - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42571404


We've got one more opinion to get before we decide if it's surgery. It's a big blow for us. We've not got a player who can pass the ball like him.

[Irwin3]

Out for 8-12 weeks, might need an operation - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42571404

Was apparently playing quite well in the last few weeks. They had been mentioning that he was carrying a groin injury for the last few weeks as well...

Playing with an injury. Check. Poor Injury record. Check. Two games in two days. Madness.

[irishfan86]

Sounds like pretty poor management of Gibson considering his health issues, alright. But glad to hear Coleman is so high on him -- could still be useful for us if he can financially establish himself for the final stretch of his career.

[seanfhear]

Sounds like pretty poor management of Gibson considering his health issues, alright. But glad to hear Coleman is so high on him -- could still be useful for us if he can financially establish himself for the final stretch of his career.We could do with a few pounds alright . I assume that was physically ( spell check or somthing ) .

[samhaydenjr]

Sounds like pretty poor management of Gibson considering his health issues, alright. But glad to hear Coleman is so high on him -- could still be useful for us if he can financially establish himself for the final stretch of his career.


We could do with a few pounds alright . I assume that was physically ( spell check or somthing ) .

I'm going to guess "finally" is what irishfan86 was going for. Anyway, I think it would take something special for Gibson to get into the reckoning for the Euro 2020 qualifiers, which is likely to be his last chance - after all, if we assume Whelan and Hoolahan retire, we still have five midfield squad members playing regular Premier League football (Arter, McCarthy, Brady, Hendrick, McClean), two other current experienced squad members playing in the Championship (Meyler and McGeady), a number of other Championship midfielders who would also be probably ahead of him in the pecking order (Kelly, Hourihane, and O'Dowda certainly; O'Kane and Horgan, possibly) along with some youngsters who could be established Championship (or higher) midfielders by March of next season (Molumby, Doyle-Hayes, Ronan, Byrne, Lenihan, Cullen). Plus Samir Carruthers seems to be starting to playing regularly for Sheffield United.

[Fizzer]

The independent are reporting he’s been arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

[Wolfman]

A consistent problem in recent times, by all accounts.

[Olé Olé]

And just back on the road following 20 months off it for knocking down a cyclist whilst under the influence. Have to bear in mind how such behaviour puts the lives of others in danger. Hence why it's such a reprehensible offence. Once was a mistake and twice to make sure it was a mistake? Christ.

[seanfhear]

Where did it all go wrong ? . We don’t know his personal life . Some bad injuries . One bad one for Ireland . I hope he gets his act together . He is coming towards the end of his football career so I hope he sorts everything out .