The Big Interview:Gibson under the spotlight safc.com catch up with Darron Gibson ahead of Saturday’s game against Reading at the Stadium of Light. The midfielder started Chris Coleman’s first game in charge before coming off to the bench to help the Black Cats to overcome Burton Albion last time out, and he’s thoroughly enjoying his football under the Welshman. Darron, a new manager and a new start for the club, how’s it all going? DG: “Its gone well since he’s come in. Training has been different and I think the way we’re going to play is a lot different. He’s got off to a good start and it was probably our best performance of the season against Aston Villa, in terms of the way we played, and then we got the win at the weekend. Things are looking better but I think we need to capitalise on Saturday’s result and get another good result against Reading.” You mentioned a change in style, how does he want us to play? DG: “Every manager has a different way of playing but the first two training sessions he took gave us a pretty simple idea of how he wanted us to play, and I think you could clearly see that change against Aston Villa. The lads enjoyed the last two games and I think you could see in our performances that confidence is growing a little bit and hopefully we can keep that going.” From what I’ve seen keeping the ball is going to be the key, do you feel that’s a style that will suit your game? DG: “Yes, I think the way he wants to play will suit me down to the ground, but I think it will suit everyone because it gives us all more confidence and we know what we should be doing in and out of possession. I’m not saying we didn’t under the old manager, but it’s been simplified a little bit and, as I said, hopefully we can keep the positive results going.” On a personal note, you seem like you’re enjoying your football… DG: “I enjoyed the Aston Villa game because the shape of the team allowed me to get on the ball a lot more. Obviously we needed the result at the weekend because we’ve been unlucky with little things going against us which have made us draw or lose rather than win. We defended well at Burton and perhaps we rode our luck at times, but we got the result and now we need to kick on.” You didn’t have the easiest start to your time here, do you feel the timing of your arrival was a factor in that as it wasn’t an easy period for the club? DG: “No I don’t think so because while I can’t say the dressing room was in high spirits, for the position we were in the lads were pretty confident until we actually got relegated. It wasn’t a bad dressing room to come into and we ended up being relegated which wasn’t good, and I think the effect that had on confidence carried into this season. I don’t think our performances this season have been overly bad, I think we’ve more been unlucky, but hopefully that’s turned.” You got a good ovation from the fans at Aston Villa and again after Burton when you went over after the final whistle, that must be nice as it’s not always been the case? DG: “It was and I’ll always respect the fans. They’ve obviously been frustrated because they expect us to be doing more and doing better, but as a group of players we expect that as well and we know we shouldn’t be in this position. We’re doing everything we can and it’s not as if we’re not trying, but we’ve turned that corner and built some confidence – on and off the pitch – so hopefully we can build on it again this weekend.” We all know about our home record and the lack of wins at the Stadium of Light. I’m sure a massive confidence boost would arrive with victory against Reading on Saturday… DG: “It would but as a group of players we can’t go into the game thinking we haven’t won here for whatever amount of games. That’s something the manager said when he arrived, he said it’s about performances and if we make sure we do everything we need to do, the results will take care of themselves.” From the outside looking in it feels like a fresh start, in terms of there being a focus on what we can achieve going forward while leaving the past in the past… DG: “Exactly. As a group of players that’s what we’re all thinking. We need to look forward and be confident in ourselves because we have a good squad and we’ve got some very good players, so we shouldn’t be in the position we’re in. Ultimately, we are, so as a group of players we need to stick together and get out of it.” And, finally, it feels like you’re really looking forward to the next few months under a manager and style that will really let you show what you can do… DG: “I’m really looking forward to it. Everything is one hundred times better when you’re in the team and when you’re involved, but it’s not just about the lads that are playing. It’s a long season and we’re going to need the entire squad, so everyone has a big part to play and whether I’m in the team or not I’m going to be pushing the lads and doing my best to help the club.” please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Reading between the lines he’s basically saying that Coleman’s already doing a better job than Grayson.
To be fair to Gibson, if he had any mobility at all he’d be decent, touch and passing are tidy. More movement in a plant pot sadly.
What I don't get is he looked a much more forward thinking attacking minded footballer at Everton, he always looked to turn to face goal play it forward, liked to arrive late and got a lot of goals that way, not seen any of that for us.
His lifestyle has caught up and the stamina has dropped off, Everton seen it and us being the mugs we are signed from showreel. It’s a shame cos we need a midfielder exactly like he was.
I like this Vibe fella at Brentford, can play as an attacking midfielder or forward. They are after funds for new stadium, but they paid millions for him. He’s exactly what we need. We should have went for Robson-Kanu when he was free agent.
Don't know him mate. Can he play deep as cm with an attacking mind rather than further up the pitch as an AM? As I think that's what's needed. At home we shouldn't be playing 2 DMs. 1 DM, and either a forward thinking cm or a box to box with an AM on the pitch is what I'd like to see at home but we just don't have the tools. I've noticed this season that when we play an AM we can't keep them close enough to the striker, they're having to come far to deep cause we just don't have that forward passing/ball carrying cm to link it all.
He wouldn’t be much good deeper to be honest mate, he’s pure attack minded but finds space around box and is an excellent link player and finisher. You’d still need a true DM behind him.
Vibe turns 31 in February and is out of contract in the summer so they might sell in January. Him and Jota at Brentford were two of the players that impressed me most when I accepted our fate this time last year and started keeping tabs on the championship. Why Jota went to Birmingham I don't know.
Aye Jota is a smashing player as well, he had PL offers was a strange move. Clearly Harry offered him one of those envelopes.
