Now or never for Darron Gibson

A season? He hasn't scored that many goal in his entire career so far?

I don't agree with giving him another deal. Davies is already ahead of him IMO, but he can be a useful squad player..if he stays fit! But what are the chances of that happening?!?

And who made the decision to keep him for two more years anyway? Surely that's Koeman's job, assuming he does eventually sign on the dotted line. Has RK been involved already in the keep that one, move that one on decisions? That seems a bit unlikely so he's going to be landed with a 28 year old bit part player on (presumably) hefty wages whom he can't pick, that's even assuming he wants to do so. Get him in, THEN sort out the comings and goings

On balance a contract extension does make sense. There will obviously be many outgoings and several incomings, but there is need for some continuity. Also there is an exceptionally good player in there who may well emerge from time to time. The potential to safeguard any sell-on value should not be overlooked as well

I don't read anything sinister into the decision making process being made before RK takes up his position. The decision which on balance seems to be in the best interests of the Club and the player was best made as soon as possible.

However there is a sense of the last chance saloon about the situation, and perhaps that will be the push the Gibbo needs. Best of luck to him.

How many of the rest of those popularly and justifiably expected to have their services dispensed with are we going to be similarly stupid with?

Gibson can ping it as far as he likes - but it's only any good if he does it for 30-plus games a season.

Unfathomably nonsensical decision. We continue to be a charity for unwanted (manager's) pets it seems.

If Osman gets another two years, I'll fully expect David Moyes to be unveiled in a shower of Finch Farm confetti and fireworks next week!

In my personal opinion though, no I would have let him go. Move forward despite his abilities which he rarely shares with the class. Which is probably why I'm nowhere near a Billionaire Businessmen!

So IT MUST BE a pay-as-you-play

I don't see how Koeman could have been involved with this decision, what sort of message is this sending out to the 'young guns' in the squad?

I believe it was Moyes who sanctioned the 'golden handcuffs' contracts for Osman and Hibbert in their latter years. If money was tight at Everton as we were led to believe, then a conservative estimate of around £6m spent on their two salaries (£30K a week?), simply stunk of 'jobs for the boys)

It would have been better spent on attracting promising talent from the lower leagues.

Think we have quite a few mediocre central midfielders to be honest. Dont see many of them getting into the top 4 or 5 teams last season.

I'd be amazed if this isn't a low basic, heavily incentivised pay as you play deal.

He's one of ours, get behind him.

Jobs for the boys perhaps.

But Osman's contract came when Moyes was gone and before Roberto was signed. Wound up being the only player played in all 38 games of OFM's first season, though.

Hibbert got his after Roberto was signed.

"I don't see how Koeman could have been involved with this decision, what sort of message is this sending out to the 'young guns' in the squad?"

Koeman will run the rule over Gibson same as the other players. He'll either decide to keep him or tell him to have his agent seek another opportunity.

The "young guns" will impress Koeman or they won't. Nothing more to do with Gibson then with any other current member of the team?

As for the first post. Gibson is no Frank Lampard. I wince when he lines up a shot.

To see him get any minutes at the expense of Tom Davies would be a major regression.

Apologies if someone else has already made this point.

How many chances can one idiot get.

Inspired master stroke or Baldrick-esque cunning plan...who knows.

I too think he at least was a fine player... god knows now but I would never have signed him up again.

Stevie Pienaar, yes and he has a history with Koeman, who rates him highly still. Back to Gibbo: I suppose with no signing-on fee and the chance of a sale in the near future, it could be a good move.

In Mr Moshiri We Trust.

Gibson was available for games in recent months and Martinez just didn't play him. Martinez would have played Barry and McCarthy if they had four broken legs between them. There was no chance of Gibson or any other midfielder getting a look in.

There must be a plan in place for Gibson if he has been given a new contract. Not going to the Euros is a blessing as it will give him and the club a chance to really get him read for next season.

Seem to remember he subsequently came good.

Surely this is worth a punt.

No one knows what the details are of the contract so to have a go at him or the club is a little silly given this as I'm sure there are caveats in place.

If I'm correct about Davies, then Macca and Grandpa Barry's only backup is Besic, who is just as much of a chronic crock as Gibbo. Obviously Gibbo hasn't done much here, but I view him as critical squad depth until RK gets into the transfer market and sells him on.

As with a few others, when I think of Gibbo, I can't help but remember the excellent run we went on when he first signed, with him and Fellaini in the middle we barely lost. A lot of typical Moyes draws but also some truly exciting wins.

He also has a talent in his long range passing that I can't think anyone else currently on our roster possesses. Maybe Stones one day. I'm good with this. Good ol' Gibbo. Get over here you little whippersnapper!

He's played 46 games in 4 years, most as sub, and sadly always injured and struggles to get thru 90 mins. Who made this decision? After this news I'm off for a pint myself and then dig out the boots for a comeback,

I'll go apoplectic if McGeady or Kone are next on the stay list.

McGeady and Kone contracts are not up, so they are automatically on the stay list unless we get offers for them.

Link

For people saying he's good when fit, keep in mind the guy is never fit for any extended period of time. Looked up his stats and other than his loan to a Belgian club 11 years ago (when 18) he has NEVER managed to make 30 or more senior appearances in a single season. In fact the most appearances he's managed in a single season in the last 10 (TEN) years is 26 - barely half a season, including sub appearances.

In the last 3 seasons with us he has made a total of 27 appearances, in all comps and including off the bench. Given these stats, every contract he's ever had was a 'now or never'.

Even if we're only paying him on a pay as you play deal, he's still taking up a place in the squad that could have gone to an up and coming youngster. The guy is stealing a living off the club and I cannot believe the idiocy of offering him an extension.

Only upside is that we've at least gotten Howard, Osman, Pienaar and Hibbert off the books (well by 30 June anyway).

As regards Kone, Niasse, McGeady etc all are sadly still under contract and it's unlikely any can be sold as nobody will match their current contracts. Best we can do is loan them out to offset some of their wages.

Did Koemann sanction this from his sun lounger on the beach?!!

Anyway, it's done now, will see if he can stay out of the treatment room and off the ale for 5 minutes.

I thought you might have said something about Osman, Hibbert and Pienaar, treated disgracefully, Hibbert had one of the best games (halves) I've seen from a right back this season so I think all players could have been given a 1-year contract or at least told before they weren't wanted.

Whilst Tim Howard has been poor, at least he was given a good send off, but Osman and Hibbert have been with us longer. Let's hope this is a temporary cock-up whilst we've been appointing a manager because it's most un-Everton-like.