Best XI

[chicoazul]

Not actually true though. We were playing the best footy we've played for a long time at the start of the season until he got injured at West Brom. Gibson is more than decent and I'm genuinely surprised you can't see what he does for the team and how much better we are when he plays. If he wasn't partially made of balsa wood, he would be worth a lot of money.

Spot on, he's central to us playing some proper decent togger.

 

[bluerevolution1878]

I think we usually up our game slightly with Phil Neville in midfield, but whether that is because he is a captain fantastic and a good player or because everyone thinks they have to play better to make up for him being crap is up for dispute.

The first XI posted here would always be my preference.

 

[toffeejack]

Not actually true though. We were playing the best footy we've played for a long time at the start of the season until he got injured at West Brom. Gibson is more than decent and I'm genuinely surprised you can't see what he does for the team and how much better we are when he plays. If he wasn't partially made of balsa wood, he would be worth a lot of money.

we played awesome at swansea with neville there instead of gibson - this is the only bit of defence i am going to make. we are so evidently more boss with gibson there - he makes us tick. as proved vs wigan though, i have no problems with neville playing RB if coleman and hibbert aren't there. should have been played there the last 2 games though instead of a distin heitinga centre partnership

 

[Allezfan]

I like how Gibson always look for the ball and he always looks for a forward pass.

He's brave in the way a lot of holding midfielders aren't, Neville in particular keeps things very simple when there so did Rodwell. Keep in position, play the easy ball, don't lose it

Gibson does that at times, and he doesn't lose the ball much, but he also is really positive. Aginst Spurs he more then anyone else on the pitch took advantage of their high line with balls in behind their full backs. And not aimless hoofs but lovely accurate balls to our breaking players. I really rate the guy.

 

[Royal Blue Jersey]

Howard

Coleman - Jagielka - Distin - Baines

Mirallas - Gibson - Fellaini - Pienaar

Osman

Jelavic

 

[scratchnsurf]

we played awesome at swansea with neville there instead of gibson - this is the only bit of defence i am going to make. we are so evidently more boss with gibson there - he makes us tick. as proved vs wigan though, i have no problems with neville playing RB if coleman and hibbert aren't there. should have been played there the last 2 games though instead of a distin heitinga centre partnership

I've got no problem with Neville. He's been a brilliant signing and has qualities that not many of our squad do, leadership, organisation, pointing (couldnt resist). I just would rather have Gibson in midfield. He's much better at football.

 

[grandjoeblue]

The fact that Gibson has never lost in the league for us shows that he surely deserves to be in our best XI

 

[Brennan]

He was missing for a large chunk of the season and the team had a strong start. I doubt him playing would have led to Everton getting a winner at QPR or beating WBA. Gibson is decent. That's all. Phil Neville is captain and leader of the team. I Can't wait until people start jumping off this Gibson band waggon

I can count the amount of times Neville has kicked off a positive attacking move this season on one hand, Gibson makes several fantastic long balls a game. He adds something to our team which Neville never has and never will.

 

[Allezfan]

I can count the amount of times Neville has kicked off a positive attacking move this season on one hand, Gibson makes several fantastic long balls a game. He adds something to our team which Neville never has and never will.

Gibson is more mobile too, which helps. You can tell Osman is happier getting forward alongside him because he doesn't have to worry about Gibson being stranded the way Neville sometimes can be.

 

[pablo315]

Fully aware of that. I just don't see why everyone falls over themselves to heap praise on Gibson. He's decent and he scored a cracking goal against City. People practically queue up to worship him and I just don't get it. Phil Neville is a respected captain who commands respect from his fellow professionals and has a number of international caps and championship medals to his name. If I have to choose, it's Captain Phil every time without even a second thought

Fair enough for having the balls to put an unpopular argument forward mate. I can defo understand where you're coming from. Neville is one of those players who tends to get ridiculed by some people who don't always get what's happening tactically on the pitch. The reason for this is because he is there more for what he does without the ball than with it. His communication and example on the pitch is excellent. His positional sense is always selfless is key to preventing goals being conceded. He keeps it ticking over when he gets the bal and rarely gives it away. I agree he is not a natural midfielder but I am happy for him to play there in Gibson's absence. However what I don't understand is why you're not on the Gibson bandwagon mate. Tactically he can do everything Neville does and our goals against column (when gibson plays) backs this up. He isn't as verbal as neville but that is a personality thing. Technically though the lad is on a different level to Neville. His passing range allows us to dictate and control games better when he plays. He has the knack of knowing when to play short and when the opportuntity is right to go long or play a through ball. His weight of pass is excellent and workrate is sound. Add to this Gibson (although a crock) has about a 8 year age advantage but still decent experience he gets my vote in this one.

 

[Blooy]

Imagine a whole team of Baines who could read each others minds. Woah.

 

[BlueToffee95]

Imagine a whole team of Baines who could read each others minds. Woah.

Stick Felli in net. He can catch better with his chest than Howard an with his hands.

 

[Dom1878]

Howard

Heitinga - Jagielka(c) - Distin
Coleman - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Baines

Fellaini - Gibson - Pienaar

Mirallas - Jelavic
​

Coleman and Baines the perfect wingbacks, both great attacking, and they can get back and defend if needed - but the 3 at the back gives them more freedom to get upfront - so its not actually a defensive formation - just utilising the players we have abit better.

If you want a Moyes formation then:

Howard

Coleman - Jagielka(c) - Distin - Baines

Gibson
Mirallas - Osman - Fellaini - Pienaar

Jelavic​

 

[toffeechris]

howard
neville (capt) jags distin baines
mirallas osman gibson pieraar
felli
jelavic

 

[Azzurri]

Howard
Hibbert (soon to be Coleman)
Jagielka
Distin
Baines

Mirallas
Gibson
Osman
Pienaar

Fellaini
Jelavic


Subs:
Mucha
Neville
Heitinga
Oviedo
Barkley
Anichebe
Coleman (soon to be Hibbert)