Darron Gibson

**amaccann** · 08/01/2009, 7:33 AM

It's still great to see him get his games & slowly chip away at it. I have been hopeful for the lad since hearing of him, but ever since Dunphy basically dismissed his entire career I became doubly hopeful he would make the grade.

**Stuttgart88** · 08/01/2009, 7:41 AM

I only saw last 20 mins too. He was in the middle at that stage and did well enough. At times he was given the ball in tight situations and quickly played an accurate first time pass to feet, showing an awareness of his �out ball�, always a good sign. I thought he could have been more aggressive / assertive in looking for the ball at times - I think he seemed happy for the more senior players to take responsibility. Seems to do the right things for a midfielder (one guy did dance past him in the box late on) and seems to have the awareness required for the position.

**elroy** · 08/01/2009, 8:20 AM

Considering the team performance, he was pointed out for praise by Ferguson which is a great sign. If anyone can bring a player through from underage to the reserves to the first team, its Fergie. Looks like he's gonna be staying at OT for the foreseeable future anyways.

**tetsujin1979** · 08/01/2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

Considering the team performance, he was pointed out for praise by Ferguson which is a great sign. If anyone can bring a player through from underage to the reserves to the first team, its Fergie. Looks like he's gonna be staying at OT for the foreseeable future anyways.

Not to rain on your parade, but the last player Fergie brought through from the reserves to become a first team regular at United was either Wes Brown or John O'Shea. Having said that, the majority of players that do make at least one appearance for the senior team go on to have decent careers in football, albeit at a lower level.
Had a discussion (fine, it was an argument) about this with a friend of mine one night in the pub, make a team up of players who came through the ranks at a Premier League side, but currently play with another team. The Arsenal cast offs looked pretty decent.

**geysir** · 08/01/2009, 10:39 AM

So the worst case scenario is that statistically he has a good chance some future at some decent level

At least the lad is benefitting from favour being passed his way by both his club and national manager, he is getting the opportunities being put his way to make an impression at the very top of the game.
I'd say if he had joined Arsenal he would already be classified as a cast off.

**Royal rover** · 08/01/2009, 11:03 AM

whatever anyone says Gibson is rated by fergie, after listening to post match comments last night he obviously sees he has a future at OT - all jokes aside gents some people have been critical of him so far , but both Fergie & Trap have enough knowledge to know when they spot a good player - Gibson will be a good player in my eyes.

**irishfan86** · 08/01/2009, 11:38 AM

There is no doubt in my mind that Gibson is good enough to play Premier League football right now. But I'm not sure that's going to happen with United.

Is he better than their other options? Last night's match would suggest he's closer than I may have thought, but even if he is, I'm not entirely sure he'll get a chance to prove it.

Ferguson has been talking about Gibson positively now for a long time, but I'm not sure he has 90 minutes of senior football in the centre of the park under his belt yet. Every time I've seen him in a competitive match for United this season he's been played on the right, with the exception of last night. Even then, he didn't start there.

But, he's going to get a chance in a semi-final, and I hope he grabs it with both hands.

I think he's going to be a decent player for Ireland either way, it's just a matter of whether or not his club future lies with United.

**tetsujin1979** · 08/01/2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Ferguson has been talking about Gibson positively now for a long time, but I'm not sure he has 90 minutes of senior football in the centre of the park under his belt yet. Every time I've seen him in a competitive match for United this season he's been played on the right, with the exception of last night. Even then, he didn't start there.

Me either, but I don't think he'll be risked in the centre of the park for a full game until he's proven he can handle the pressure of it. 30 minutes or so in the engine room last night is another step along the road.

**Manc Irish Wolf** · 08/01/2009, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Me either, but I don't think he'll be risked in the centre of the park for a full game until he's proven he can handle the pressure of it. 30 minutes or so in the engine room last night is another step along the road.

Think the chance of this will come sooner rather than later after his performance yesterday in relation to Anderson, which should see him rise up the pecking order.

Seen him a few times at the Wolves and the two natural instincts that strook me was that he was always looking to find space - essential for any good midfielder - and the simple fact that he has balls which was always Liam Miller's downfall. His passing looks good and he's not afraid to shoot, so if he can get improving his tackling and increase his workrate a bit we will have a good box-to-box midfielder on our hands.

Not quite sure why some people remain unconvinced. He's a young kid, is highly regarded and is quite obviously work in progress. Irrespective, even if he doesn't make the grade at United, surely the fact that he is even in contention is more encouraging than players emerging in the Championship? (Said by an advocate of the championship players)

**paul_oshea** · 08/01/2009, 2:03 PM

he needs to bulk up a bit i think as well.

What i cant understand is how players cant get better at tackling and imposing themselves, its not a an innate skill rather one that is acquired through practice and awareness. Hopefully he can literally put a stamp on things and get better at this.

Have to say I was half watching the match(wanted to watch it all but had a committee meeting so couldn't)and was automatically attracted to his pass to tevez in the second half from the right side of midfield, i think it was a break out from defence, anyway he looked up and instantly found tevez, was a great piece of play.

On another trivial note, he looks a lot like evans well in terms of physique anyway. I know evans was never going to play for ROI, but it would have been great last night if he was. Himself, gibson and oshea all playing for current PL and CL champions. No excuses not to qualify for the world cup

**superfrank** · 08/01/2009, 4:27 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Himself, gibson and oshea all playing for current PL and CL champions. No excuses not to qualify for the world cup

Except that none of them are first-teamers.

**Closed Account** · 20/01/2009, 6:22 PM

Starting tonight
Foster

Rafael
Evans
Neville
JOS

Giggs
Gibson
Anderson

Nani
Welbeck
Tevez

Bench:

Ronaldo
Tosic
Chester
Scholes
PIG
Fletcher
Possebon

Could be right side of midfield again though
Foster
Rafael-Neville-Evans-O'Shea
Gibson-Anderson-Giggs-Nani
Welbeck-Tevez

**John83** · 20/01/2009, 6:55 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Could be right side of midfield again though...

I haven't really seen any Premiership football this season. Is Giggs being played in the middle? It would seem more sensible to put Nani on the right and Gibson in the centre.

**Razors left peg** · 20/01/2009, 7:07 PM

Originally Posted by John83

I haven't really seen any Premiership football this season. Is Giggs being played in the middle? It would seem more sensible to put Nani on the right and Gibson in the centre.

Giggs played in the middle against Chelsea recently and was man of the match

**holidaysong** · 20/01/2009, 7:23 PM

Gibson made two bad mistakes in a row when it was still 0-0 according to BBC R5 which nearly cost them a goal.

**richieos** · 20/01/2009, 7:26 PM

im watching the match, it wasnt gibsons fault, he was left exposed and recieved a poor pass

**Buller** · 20/01/2009, 7:48 PM

15th minute: Gibson produces two strong challenges in a row to win possession from Man United on the halfway line.

^ He's not doing too bad!

And John O'Shea scored?! Now thats unbelieveable...

**NeilMcD** · 20/01/2009, 8:37 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Starting tonight
Foster

Rafael
Evans
Neville
JOS

Giggs
Gibson
Anderson

Nani
Welbeck
Tevez

Bench:

Ronaldo
Tosic
Chester
Scholes
PIG
Fletcher
Possebon

Could be right side of midfield again though
Foster
Rafael-Neville-Evans-O'Shea
Gibson-Anderson-Giggs-Nani
Welbeck-Tevez

Who is PIG by the way