reality is green has always played better for us than gibson.
gibson is the only 6 counties player that the north didnt mind "losing" to the republic and that says it all really.
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Stephen Kelly had at least as good a claim to have featured in the Euros, having played more friendlies and more qualifying games, but he got 0 minutes. Where is he now? Oh yeah, he's about to join up with the squad like a professional who loves his country.
He didn't have Paul Green or any inferior playing coming on for him though. John O'Shea played all 270 minutes. Gibson played in 3 out of the 4 friendlies leading up to the euros and played basically every time when he was fit and available. Rumours around the time of the Spain game were that Gibson confronted Trap and Trap made a reference to Gibson's weight. Highly insulting and unprofessional if true. In a situation like this no-one wins and it's a shame for all concerned really. Gibson - not playing for his country and Trap - falling out with another player. Hopefully it'll be resolved but you just get the impression that it won't. Ah well. We'll always be able to put a squad out.
all a matter of perception and the fact that gibson played for man utd helped him in this regard. gibson constantly gives the ball away and barely tracks back and thats mainly in friendlies with no pressure on him. i have no doubt that he has ability but lacks hardcore desire
Actually his passing stats are second only to James McCarthy in terms of our midfield options. I can only find stats for this season, but he's one of the most accurate passers around, and I think his stats for last season were even better.
McCarthy 90%: http://www.squawka.com/players/james-mccarthy
Gibson 78%: http://www.squawka.com/players/darron-gibson
Hoolahan 75%: http://www.squawka.com/players/wes-hoolahan
Whelan 75%: http://www.squawka.com/players/glenn-whelan
Pilkington 74%: http://www.squawka.com/players/anthony-pilkington
Andrews 69%: http://www.squawka.com/players/keith-andrews
McClean 68%: http://www.squawka.com/players/james-mcclean
edit: actually Meyler is ahead of him on 81% but has had limited game time: http://www.squawka.com/players/david-meyler
Maybe he gives the ball away a lot for Ireland because nobody is looking for it.
There's obvious problems in the lines of communication between Trapattoni and the players, and this is just another example of it. Eventually we are going to reach a point and ask the question is the problem with the players or is it with the manager.
gibsons replacement twitter response to being called up...
"So happy to be called into the Irish squad. Biggest moment of my career, like to thank everyone especially my Dad, Mum and Sister!"
delighted to have lads like meyler benefiting from messers like gibson pulling out
a little surprising some people are still blaming Trapattoni for the communication problems after Duff's comments during the week
As with most things, there are two sides and the right side to this saga.
I am reticent about blaming Trapattoni, but I can also see how difficulties can emerge in translation. In a relatively short space of time we've had problems between Trap and Kevin Foley, Shane Long and now Darron Gibson.
There is no clarity here at all and we are all left speculating, which rarely helps.
I hate throwing blame around in these situations, but you really have to ask the question; why is it that this generation of Irish players in particular seem to have problems linking up with the squad? It's all very well trotting out the hackneyed, chest-thumping talk of playing for your country, or players being immature and whatnot, but tbh that's a lazy excuse and just ignores a bigger question - surely I'm not the only one who finds it all a bit bizarre there have been so many incidents like this.
Sure, some of it has turned out to be baseless tattle from journalists, but some of it hasn't and I honestly don't recall another period in Irish football with this constant issue of players' commitment. It doesn't seem to be a problem in other nations' squads, so why Ireland? I don't buy the notion of international football being completely devalued these days, so I can't help but wonder if Trap & his setup is somehow breeding a sense of ... casual indifference in some players; and with the best will in the world, ones patriotism only stretches so far in the face of pretty irrational snubbing.
There are two players who refuse to play for Ireland, one of whom predates Trap. Casual indifference to friendly international fixtures is endemic across the football world. It's nothing to do with Trap.
Moyes' two cents. http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archiv...reland-future-
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Moyes