Paul Scholes is of course an Old Trafford legend, but when a 37-year-old comes out of retirement to take your place in the pecking order, you know your days are numbered. For Darron Gibson, Scholes’ unlikely return led to a move away from Old Trafford, and last Friday, he switched from Manchester to Merseyside. The much-maligned midfielder made the move to Everton on for an initial fee of just half a million pounds.
While the decision to temporarily bring Scholes out from the Hall of Fame, sealed his fate, Gibson declared a frustration that had been bubbling under for some time…
“It was hard for me at times. I think when I did get a chance I did well and obviously I was getting left out afterwards and I was playing one or two games here and there. When Scholesy came back the manager told me I was free to go.”
The 24-year-old will now be looking to resurrect his fortunes and live up to the potential that once saw his game compared to that of Roy Keane. Right now, such claims seem unfathomable and Gibson will surely settle for steady progress under David Moyes – a manager who has already taken the likes of Tim Howard and Phil Neville from Old Trafford and turned them into Goodison stalwarts.
The Statistics
Gibson played just once this season for United in the Premier League – grabbing an assist in the 5-0 romp of Wigan on Boxing Day. This lack of opportunities is in part due to an ankle injury, but it also appeared that Sir Alex Ferguson had turned his back on Gibson some months ago.
In previous seasons, Gibson has been much more involved. Last term, he played 12 Premier League games (6 as a substitute), grabbing an assist. In 2009/10 he chipped in with two goals and three assists in 15 appearances, coming off the bench nine times.
Known for a thunderous shot from distance, Gibson has also found the back of the net for Royal Antwerp and Wolves, in loan spells, as well as for the Republic of Ireland at international level. While the numbers are far from convincing, it must be said that Gibson has rarely been granted a run of regular starts – that’s something he will surely be given at his new club.
The Prospects
The Toffees have endured an unsatisfactory campaign so far, failing to string together a decent run of results. They currently sit in eleventh in the table and face stiff opposition over the next six Gameweeks, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all on the horizon.
There’s no doubt that Everton’s key issue is a lack of goals. Just six strikes in their last nine matches tells the tale – only Wigan and QPR have scored fewer over the season. Needless to say, a lack of goals and consistent form has seen Fantasy managers keep their distance.
Handed a debut at Villa Park on Saturday, Gibson enjoyed an unremarkable first appearance but drew inevitable praise from his new manager…
“I thought Gibson played well…I thought he passed the ball well. Hopefully he’ll help us and give us something we’ve lacked a little bit. He gave us a bit of composure at times and passed it nicely.”
Gibson’s passing range is not in doubt. His ability to link play and keep possession are talents gained from his fledgling years in United’s academy. However, Moyes will be looking for more from the Irishman – notably goals from midfield. Gibson himself appears confident that he can deliver…
“I think I’m a goalscoring midfielder and hopefully I can get a few goals. I’ve scored a few long-range shots – I don’t think I’ve scored one inside the box to be honest – and if I score goals it’s a bonus for me…I’m just looking to do as well as I can for the team.”
If Gibson can offer goals and help spark a revival of fortunes at Goodison, he could yet earn some attention from Fantasy managers. With a 5.4 FPL price tag, he offers an obvious alternative to Everton’s frustrating Fantasy offering – Royston Drenthe. Landon Donovan is currently a major midfield distraction that will hog the Fantasy attention but when his loan spell concludes, Gibson could well come to the fore.
Everton may well end the season strongly; a run of five fixtures from Gameweek 30 onwards (swa WBA nor SUN sto), will see them enter a potentially critical stage of the season. If Gibson can go into this spell with his career back on track, the unlikely comparisons with Keane could return and Fantasy managers may even take notice.
