January 14, 2012
As 3 young men from the island of Ireland, all hailing from the same humble north west region of Derry, were granted starting berths for this weekend’s Premier League matches, our analytical eye was turned to Darron Gibson’s debut for the money-shy Evertonians.
Having impressed in his only other SC1 feature to date, it would be interesting to note how he made the step from Old Trafford to the Toffees and if he could emulate similar success stories such as Tim and Phil’s.
Of course, having spent so long at United scrapping for minutes and watching the majority of this season go by from the sidelines, Gibson would naturally be a little ring-rusty and this told as the new number 4 misplaced 3 of his first 5 passes. However, he would go on to concede possession just 4 more times in his remaining 73 minutes on the field of play.
Whilst unspectacular, the debutant put in an extremely tidy shift at the heart of the Everton midfield and, on the 12th minute, did indeed place a golden opportunity on a plate for Tim Cahill but the Aussie rushed the finish to what was a delicious, defence-splitting pass. Moving sideways and forwards with the majority of his passes, Gibson is the perfect type of player to compliment Moyes’ midfield, allowing players like Cahill to roam whilst he keeps the game flowing and his team in control.
As Gibson opted to use his full backs quite often, this was more of a reflection of their attacking intent and Everton’s first half dominance as the Merseysiders played like the home team. Striking an instant partnership with Marouane Fellaini and linking with Cahill, ‘Gibby’ attempted to get forward on occasions and found himself complimenting the American loanee at numerous stages. Despite playing large portions of the game at the left side of central midfield, the new signing only found his left winger, Drenthe, twice and the Dutch man was eventually substituted. It should be noted however that Darron completed an underwhelming total of just 38 passes throughout his 83 minutes – due to Everton chasing the game for the majority of the 2nd half and playing predominantly direct football.
To boast, the former United player added neccessary defensive work to his play to help his team grind out a decent away result. A solid performance all round for Darron Gibson who will no doubt be quite the potent prospect as soon as he adapts to regular first team football for the first time in his career.
Meanwhile, another one on the Giovanni Trapattoni roster played yet another stormer for the home side. Stephen Ireland is back to his graceful self which we can only remember in a sky blue shirt. His presence back in the Villa side has been greeted with a proportional increase in decent football – which is something special in itself considering the disgusting cosmic football we were forced to watch only one month ago.
Passing an outrageous 57% with attacking intent, Stephen Ireland is the absolute heartbeat of this current Villa side through which nothing will happen in his absence. Playing the majority of the first half on the left, the bald-headed magician still manages to impose himself on the game wherever he is. He was rightly targeted by the oppposition who struggled to deal with him and resorted to fouling on 4 occasions. Completing 100% of his 4 dribbles, the Irishman produced a complete performance as he won back possession for his team 7 times as well. With an assist and the ingenious manufacturing of 3 further chances for his team, Ireland went backwards just 6 times – always trying to make something happen. It is such a shame that neither he or Gibson will start in the European Championships.
Robbie Keane’s debut lasted just 10 minutes as Alex McLeish saved his first and only substitution for the 82nd minute. Nonetheless, the Irish captain took possession 8 times – and even though all 8 were played to his feet whilst he was static, he is the sort of all round, complete footballer who can deal with that and make something from it. The kind our forward line, particularly Bent, are most certainly not. It is a shame he didn’t play longer.
11 Responses to Villa vs Everton: Irish Analysis
-
Yeah, fair point and I don’t suppose he would be rushing back at all.
In a way, the manager’s tendency to fall out with certain players disappoints me and, although he has acted poorly in the past, I still want the best players representing the country.
I assume it would take just a few minutes for any begrudging fans to change their mind once he gets flowing because this has certainly been the case at Villa.
-
Eoin says:
I agree that the best players should be playing for the country but we all know how fickle football fans can be and with Stephen Irelands tendency to let things get to him could he keep his cool long enough to get the fans back on his side?
-
I’d be worried about his temperament too. You’d have to really go out of your way for him for a while which of course wouldn’t go down too well – I think though once he got playing he would start changing times immediately. He was superb under Staunton.
Well at least he has plenty of practice playing every week in front of the most fickle fans in the world!
-
Ciaran says:
Good piece but like other readers have to take issue with Ireland’s prospects with ROI. Trap has never fallen out with Ireland, instead he met the player once and was told he wouldn’t return. Ireland has repeated his intention since repeatedly and that has nothing to do with the management, regardless of any perceived issue of management falling out with players (can’t see it myself other than the ill-advised comments on Stephen Reid, the subsequently justified ignoring of Andy Reid and the current problems with Marc Wilson, a player who appers to have broken Trap’s trust). Regardless Ireland has strung a few decent performances together after over a year of being gash, so jury’s still out.
-
Pingback: Aston Villa 1-1 Everton – 5 Point Tactical Deconstruction |
-
David Lane says:
Aren’t you forgetting Shane Duffy who had his first start for Everton yesterday and who is also from Derry?
-
Yeah, to be honest – I think it takes two to fall out – and I’m a firm believer that most people will accept an extended hand
I really think Trap’s hand should be extended to Ireland who I know said he wasn’t interested – but why not try? First tournament in 10 years – would be nice to play our best playersDavid, Shane Duffy is one of the 3 I was referring to at the very start of the article!
-
Conan, there’s a few reasons. Primarily Ireland is, in practacality, retired from international football. In those situations it is always the responsibility of the player to make themselves available. All the other members of the squad, not to mention tens of pros wHo would give their right arm to play for ROI, have the decency to actually make themselves available and Stephen Ireland is no different.
Secondly the only situation when a manager should reasonably emerge from ‘retirement’ is if there is an emergency such as injuries or player shortage. We have a fit squad, with lots of emerging talent and have qualified for a first major tournament in
re actually in a reasonably healthy situation with personnel. There’s a decent amount of talent coming through, a -
Oops mistake there! Anyway first major tournament since 2002 with the most united Irish squad, probably since 1990. For Trap to go out of his way to court Ireland, somone who snubbed the honour of playing for his country, would risk the harmony of the squad not to mention curtail the development of talents like McCarthy, Gibson, Wilson et al. Ot would simply be a slap in the face to a squad who have given their all to get Ireland this far.
Finally Ireland wouldn’t work in Trap’s system. He can’t play CM in a 4-4-2 and he’s extremely unlikely to displace one of Trap’s five strikers to play in the hole. Also his current flash of form doesn’t negate how utterly poor he’s been for a year and a half. I simply don’t agree that he’s one of the country’s best players, though his ability is clear. Let’s see if some consistency emerges.
Also in fairness to Trapattoni he never fell out with Ireland – he asked him if he wished to be considered, Ireland declined. He’s repeatedly said he doesn’t like international football (though how much that dislike has to do with Stephen Hunt pulling out his hairplugs we’ll never know). Regardless it has nothing to do with any falling out with Trapattoni.
-
Pingback: Newcastle United v Aston Villa: Robbie Keane’s Performance | SC1 Sports Blog
Very thorough article but I pose the question with Stephen Ireland’s past conduct would he want to play for his national side again and if he does would he be welcomed back by the vast majority of fans, players and coaching staff?