Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

Gibson ? better for us than Rodwell

By Niall   Clinton  ::  13/01/2012   42 Comments (»Last) So we've signed Darron Gibson and already I can hear the groans of 'yet another MUFC reject'. Personally I think this signing is more telling for the impact it will have on the future of Jack Rodwell. The conspiracy theorists (and there are plenty on this site) will say that we've paid nothing and given Fergie first dibs on Jack when we sell him, not if, but when. Now I might be controversial in saying this but I think Gibson is better for us than Rodwell.

I've sat and watched Jack for the last 3 seasons without ever figuring out what it is he does. What type of midfielder is he going to be? A box to box Roy Keane/Steven Gerrard type? He doesn't have the dynamism or the passing or the drive (yet) to be in the mould. Is he a goal scorer, Lampard/Cahill type? I don't think so as his goal record is nothing outstanding.

Yes he has a good shot on him, yes he is athletic, strong but does he have a trick, or the ability to beat a player? Does he have a 40-yard diagonal pass in him? Does he drop deep and help us play out from the back, discouraging Jags to launch it 90 yards into the paddock? I would say the answers are all no. My opinion, but an opinion formed as a season ticket holder.

Gibson is a quarter back. A bit like Tom Huddlestone who I really wished we'd signed a few years back. Gibson when he played for United was always the deepest lying midfielder who would pick it up and play out from the back. He is always available for the defence to receive the ball and is very confident in possession which I wouldn't say about Jack. No he's not dynamic either or a destructive defensive midfielder but he is an excellent passer and since Arteta left, no one has taken on the mantle of play maker in chief, or the one who always wants the ball.

If we get £15-20m for Jack I think we will have done awfully well. I was so proud watching him play for England and if I'm proven wrong about him then I'll be pleased for the boy. But of all our 'assets', he's the one I'd most like to cash in on. And his England caps have made that more potentially lucrative for us. No, Gibson is not a marquee signing, and don't mistake this article for sheer excitement at his arrival, but I do think he brings something different, which in the context of us having more central midfielders in our squad than anyone, that is a positive of sorts!

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