Darron Gibson

[Razors left peg]

Gibson will be a very good player for Ireland.

Who are u and what have u done with Yapster

[DeLorean]

I think people see what they want to see when it comes to Gibson. On the evidence of what I have seen so far, which is a considerable amount at this stage, Anderson is a far better player. Gibson is one paced and generally ineffective. He is a nice striker of the ball alright so produces the occasional quality pass or shot. Having said that his shot isn't nearly as good as he thinks it is either because he shoots from stupid positions at times. I don't think it's a good thing that he has the "confidence" to try a lob from 50 yards when a simple through ball is on to Rooney. I can't see him making it at United or International level. This will undoubtedly seem harsh to some and time will hopefully prove me wrong, but I think he's been somewhere between shocking and ordinary so far. I've seen most if not all of the matches he's been involved in, for both United and Ireland, and bar the odd glimpse of something good he generally dissappoints me. United and Ireland are both better when he's not playing.

[Murfinator]

I think people see what they want to see when it comes to Gibson. On the evidence of what I have seen so far, which is a considerable amount at this stage, Anderson is a far better player. Gibson is one paced and generally ineffective. He is a nice striker of the ball alright so produces the occasional quality pass or shot. Having said that his shot isn't nearly as good as he thinks it is either because he shoots from stupid positions at times. I don't think it's a good thing that he has the "confidence" to try a lob from 50 yards when a simple through ball is on to Rooney. I can't see him making it at United or International level. This will undoubtedly seem harsh to some and time will hopefully prove me wrong, but I think he's been somewhere between shocking and ordinary so far. I've seen most if not all of the matches he's been involved in, for both United and Ireland, and bar the odd glimpse of something good he generally dissappoints me. United and Ireland are both better when he's not playing.

I'd agree with most of that. He's a quality passer of the ball and when he learns his range he'll be deadly for distance shots. But he can't impose himself on the game, isn't strong in the air or in the tackle and generally I don't think I could see him ever controlling a game for a top team.

[Predator]

Gibson is 'deadly for distance shots', as he as proven on several occasions. He doesn't need to persuade me of his ability to score great goals. He's a good passer and in my opinion, he's definitely as good as Anderson. As yet, he has still not had a long run of games for United, but in those he has played, he has played reasonably well and contributed some important goals. I think people have been very harsh on him - for some reason, the expectations seem to be very high. When you take everything into consideration, he is definitely as good as both Andrews and Whelan, two players who were our first choice midfield pairing and he is younger. I'll trust Trapattoni and Ferguson on this one.

[rambler14]

Anderson isn't better than the corner flag. Gibson has greater potential in my opinion.

[DeLorean]

I think people have been very harsh on him - for some reason, the expectations seem to be very high

I actually think the opposite. I think if he plays one decent pass people seem to forget it's his first time touching the ball in 20mins and when he scores a goal they give him man of the match automatically. Being an Irish United fan I would love him to be a success, but I think he weakens both teams significantly.

he's definitely as good as Anderson

he is definitely as good as both Andrews and Whelan

I'll trust Trapattoni and Ferguson on this one

I would see these points as a complete contradiction. You may be able to use the age card on the Whelan/Andrews debate but he is six months older than Anderson.

[Predator]

Being an Irish United fan I would love him to be a success, but I think he weakens both teams significantly.

In what respect do you feel Gibson 'weakens' the United or Irish team?

I would see these points as a complete contradiction. You may be able to use the age card on the Whelan/Andrews debate but he is six months older than Anderson.

How do you mean 'contradiction'? My point is that I trust Trapattoni and Ferguson's judgement on Gibson as a player - he's obviously good enough to make it at both United and international level if they insist on keeping him around. He is certainly as good as any of those three players and as I've said, is a few years younger than both Whelan and Andrews, so there is a big chance he could surpass them. Regarding the comparison to Anderson; he's arguably more experienced than Gibson, in that he was playing for Porto's first team briefly before joining United. Despite that experiential advantage, from what I've seen, Anderson isn't any better than Gibson is, despite his £18 million price tag. Setting all that aside 6 months of an age difference doesn't exactly mean much in football, as opposed to a few years.

[carloz]

I think some of the quotes on here are way over the top. Yes he has a problem controlling a game and can go missing. No ****, he still hasn't played 30 games at Man Utd. Most players take time to get used to that level and get the confidence to take more control in a game(Fletcher being the perfect example of this) . Personally I can see that developing in Gibson in each game. The future is only bright for him.

[DeLorean]

In what respect do you feel Gibson 'weakens' the United or Irish team?

Because he contributes very little, alot less than any player that he is keeping out of the side, whether it be Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher (goes without saying really and wouldn't expect him to be at this level yet) but even Anderson or Andrews also.

How do you mean 'contradiction'? My point is that I trust Trapattoni and Ferguson's judgement on Gibson as a player

Yes but you said that he is definitely as good as Whelan, Andrews and Anderson. Trappatoni obviously didn't agree seeing as he thought Gibson was a better option than Andrews but swiftly changed his mind after virtual no-shows against Cyprus and Poland. Ferguson played a 19 year old Anderson (in a stronger United side) far more regularly than he is playing a 22 year old Gibson. Anderson is tenacious and always looking to receive the ball and get things going, he's far from the finished article but is miles ahead of Gibson, in terms of progress, in my opinion. Yes, Gibson is still fairly young but he's not a kid either. I just think every little positive contribution is blown out of proportion on here, of course we want our players to do well, I just haven't been as impressed with him as most. I would agree with you about Fletcher though, and it's a great example. I couldn't stand that guy for years and thought Ferguson was off his head persevering with him, but he was proved right and I hope he will be with Gibson too.

[yapster]

Who are u and what have u done with Yapster

Why you want him back or something? I always had time for Gibson and hopefully he will work hard.

[Predator]

Because he contributes very little, alot less than any player that he is keeping out of the side, whether it be Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher (goes without saying really and wouldn't expect him to be at this level yet) but even Anderson or Andrews also.

Relative to the time that he has played, Gibson has contributed a few goals and assists; just as much, if not more than Anderson this season. I don't think he contributes a lot less to the Irish national side than Andrews. I think Andrews fits into Trapattoni's tactics more than Gibson does.

Yes but you said that he is definitely as good as Whelan, Andrews and Anderson. Trappatoni obviously didn't agree seeing as he thought Gibson was a better option than Andrews but swiftly changed his mind after virtual no-shows against Cyprus and Poland.

I still maintain that Gibson is as good as those three players. As I've said, Gibson might not have fitted the mould for Trap's tactics, but Trapattoni obviously rates him and that's something I give credence to.

Ferguson played a 19 year old Anderson (in a stronger United side) far more regularly than he is playing a 22 year old Gibson. Anderson is tenacious and always looking to receive the ball and get things going, he's far from the finished article but is miles ahead of Gibson, in terms of progress, in my opinion.

True Anderson has had a more successful career than Gibson has had so far and he certainly has the ability, but going on recent form, Gibson is no worse than him.

I just think every little positive contribution is blown out of proportion on here, of course we want our players to do well, I just haven't been as impressed with him as most. I would agree with you about Fletcher though, and it's a great example. I couldn't stand that guy for years and thought Ferguson was off his head persevering with him, but he was proved right and I hope he will be with Gibson too.

How do you think people on here blow Gibson's performances out of proportion? If anything, he has been subject to a lot of scrutiny and any ordinary or decent performance is nit-picked and people start to dismiss him entirely, just because he's not 'taking control' of the game (even though the whole United team on the day might have been worse). Then we have people like Dunphy, who launches into a tirade about how he's not good enough for the Irish team after one or two performances.

[DeLorean]

Fair enough if that's how you see it, I can't explain my views any comprehensively than I've done already. I think a lot of people on here have overrated many of his performances, that's the main point I was making really. You may have a point about recent form, not that I think Gibson has been particluarly good but Anderson has been poor. That said, Anderson impressed me greatly over the previous two seasons so I know he has another level. I'll put it this way, if I saw that Gibson was starting at The Emirates on Sunday, I'd give United much less of a chance of winning the match. That's not to say he won't improve over time obviously.

[Razors left peg]

I was just reading that Anderson has been linked with a move to Lyon, unless United were to add another midfielder in the window it would be excellent for Gibson. Its probably a rubbish story, but I wouldnt be upset to see Anderson leave

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...892946,00.html

[kcass]

To be fair to gibson,i think the problem in his head.I'm not sure he ever feels secure in the united team and is afraid of making mistakes.I think he hides in games for this reason.I never see him making himself available for the ball that much.Always seems to choose the safe option.

just contributing to my first thread,long time lurker though.Hello everyone.

[DeLorean]

Some glowing accolades about Anderson in the comments, I would be of a similar view. Gibson would have to up his performance level about 30-40% to come close to filling his boots in my opinion. Lloris looks a quality keeper from what I've seen alright, great under crosses which is fairly rare these days.

[seanfhear]

Then we have people like Dunphy, who launches into a tirade about how he's not good enough for the Irish team after one or two performances.

Ironically Dunphy is not good enough to be an Irish football pundit but he keeps getting his games

[SkStu]

Ironically Dunphy is not good enough to be an Irish football pundit but he keeps getting his games

though he's come off early during a couple of those appearances, seanfhear.

[EalingGreen]

[Originally posted by Ealing Green on 16/02/09]
"Happy to oblige and point out that it would take three or four injuries (at least) for young Mr. Gibson to get a place in the centre of NI's midfield, were he ours. You're welcome to him"

I will re-post this exactly one year from today. You will cry

One year later and I'm crying all right...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjF7GMP28X8

[dr_peepee]

Yeah!.... Put that in your pipe, and smoke it!!!!!

[shakermaker1982]

EG must have marked the 16/2/10 on his forward planner!!!