Gibson facing an uncertain future

He's young. If he can recover from this latest setback, he has time to forge a career in the game. Otherwise, it could be the start of the end for him which would be a shame.

As we all develop at different rates, it may be that what was obviously a good frame for a 16- or 17-year-old, is struggling to keep up with the demands of professional sport now.

I wish him well. He was a 'star in the making' when we signed him.

Although at the Transmarkt website, it says 'Fitness' has been the issue this season.

I know we are basically only interested in Everton so tend to concentrate on or own players, but I often wonder too, are any other Clubs/Teams are that unlucky with injuries/signings/Cup Draws/Results. I suppose the latter is down to the players, and the style play dictated by the Manager, but I'm convinced other forces of a darker nature come into the equation at times ! :-)

Is it bad luck? Or are we cursed with injury prone players throughout the club? Or is it the regime? Something doesn't feel right. Can we / they really be that unlucky?

I think some players are unlucky, good players but the body simply can't take the punishment at the elite level. Others don't help themselves, are badly advised, rush back, don't look after themselves well enough, poor lifestyle etc.

Most 18-year-olds may have finished growing, but over the next 5 years, they gain strength and weight. Pushing them to be elite level athletes can literally make or break them.

Delph has been an injury-prone player for the last 4 plus seasons. At his age I never expected him to play consistently and he was a bad buy. I would guess a combination of body and mind eventually let him down.

Gbamin's initial injury was probably bad luck. But I'm not sure he's now doing all he can to be the best he can be. Late night partying etc. He still has time but imo we should sell and buy a quality proven midfield general.

No more risky big money buys on potential or over 30s. I'm not ageist but I would like a player who we can hopefully be relied upon for the next 5 years to bring some quality and stability to our midfield.

Justin #13: how do you know Lewis has been partying late night?

I have thought for years that there is far too much emphasis on developing strength over flex ability. We train our players to be bulldogs when we might just be better off training them to be greyhounds. Or perhaps every player should be treated separately according to their frame and position.

Whatever it is, whoever has been responsible for our training program has done a disastrously terrible job because, in the last 5 years, we constantly have around £200 million worth of players injured at any given time.

I am not giving much credence to anything Ronald Koeman ever said but he did say as he started his first season here that that players are only about 70% fit and that is still shocking.