If Burnley want cover and a swap we have to offer them a CB reserve such as the young lad who played against Tranmere.
Did we manage to get this one over the line? Gibbo will slot in nicely with the Brum left back we didn’t get
Something doesn’t really ring true about our pursuit now... Quite a few journalists in the north saying that Gibson’s relationship with Burnley broke down completely in the days leading up to Deadline Day and was told he would remain with the U23’s for the remainder of the season. When he didn’t get a move away, he refused to do so and is now supposedly training with Middlesbrough. Burnley surely wouldn’t turn down good money from us in that circumstance? And they aren’t rich enough to just write him off as an asset either. Something off somewhere. Was our interest genuine?
I reckon that actually explains why were interested in him. I’m sure it was out there in football circles that he was available and there had been such a breakdown in the relationship. Given that being the likely case, you’d imagine Gino fancied he’d be able to drive the price down and pick up another bargain basement option at the back, but Burnley held firm and expected more from us. We lost the game of chicken, and now have Mapps smashing in world class own goals instead.
Ben DinneryVerified account @BenDinnery Gibson will be allowed to train at Middlesbrough following a disagreement with coaching staff about his performance during a session. It was initially agreed that he would join the U23 squad but he has now been granted permission to work with his home-town clubDoes seem a bit strange this one.
I wonder now if Gibson was reluctant to move even further south to us? Middlesbrough were sniffing around trying to re-sign him but I really doubt they could have afforded the deal. Maybe Burnley we’re trying to make the deal with us but he was adamant he wanted to move back to the club where he was captain and is related to the Chairman. Being homesick could be a ‘reason’ (excuse) why his move at Burnley hasn’t worked. While I can see the argument @luke_golden makes above, it makes little sense for Burnley to play and win a game of ‘chicken’ with us over signing him when the alternative is to not even have him near their club, training elsewhere, unable to move, and surely depreciating rapidly in value. They could have just loaned him to us, got his wages covered at least and keep him in the shop window. It’s odd.
Possibly Burnley didn’t want to risk strengthening a potential relegation rival? We were top of the form table when the rumours started and they were in range until their wins over Leicester and United.
Burnley are probably hoping Boro can afford to buy him or organise a season long loan move rather than potentially sell him to a Premier league rival. Or we go back in for Gibson if we get relegated.. Don't think he was that cheap in terms of Burnley fee paying standards . One appearance all season either suggests they don't rate him or the Burnley defence are very fit and always in form..
Nothing new here, but SkySports have just said Ben Gibson has not returned to training with the Burnley squad. Clearly something going on with him. I wonder if we're still interested. Clearly they want rid. Maybe they'd now be receptive to a loan proposal from Watford?
This is true. No smoke without fire and it's very strange that he never got a look in. Clearly a story there which is not public. However, this is a typical Watford type player. Loads of promise, was on the fringes of England then it all went spectacularly wrong. No one really fancies him (apart from maybe Middlesbrough). Been told he has issues with being homesick, so maybe there is a bit of a mental issue with him, and that's why nothing is being said, as it's sensitive. As a player though, he'd be one I'd be happy to take a chance on in a try before you buy deal. Much better prospect than Mawson, IMO.
I know it's an odd one, with them spending so much on him, but in fairness, he has some fine defenders to compete with for a space in the team
I'm seeing quite a few people significantly keener on Gibson than Mawson. For me, both have similar profiles of players that are in their mid-20s, were vaunted as the next big thing not too long ago yet haven't had the best time of things at their most recent club following big moves a couple of years ago. Both come with their risks: with Mawson it's injuries, with Gibson, it's the fact that Dyche doesn't fancy him and he hasn't played any games in 2 years or so. Both would be available for relatively cheap but its not entirely clear whether we'd get the player resembling the one that earned their big move. Mawson, though, has lots of experience in the Prem. So I'm genuinely interested to hear from those who think that Gibson would be good business but are seemingly devastated at the prospect of Mawson.
Well if those rumours are true, then obviously it would be an issue. If they are just unfounded rumour then it doesn't matter. He seemed to be up for coming to us back in January only for Burnley to stick to their guns over signing him permanently
Think it’s more to do with the fact that he wants to play football and Dyche isolated him. Paid a massive amount of money for him, then just didn’t play him. I get that others stepped up for Burnley, but got to be frustrating to be highly rated, fringes of the England squad, to then get a move to the Prem, only to never play. Obviously we don’t know what’s happened behind the scenes, but it’s strange to pay all that money for a player to never play him. He’s now 27, wants out and wants to play football. He is now in his prime years and has about 5/6 years left. I’m sure he has ambitions of playing in the Prem and he’s not getting that at Burnley. I hope we go in for him. Much better than Mawson. Regardless of barely playing, he’s better. Mawson has played regularly and is still poopoo.
I think a lot of it stems from Mawson's displays against us. He's always been the worst player on the park and made huge mistakes that gifted us goals when he played for Swansea and Fulham. It was always a fist pump when you saw he was in the team for the opposition.
To be fair Dyche has been consistent in playing Mee and Tarkowski who are decent enough Premier League centre backs and Kevin Long isn't a bad option either.
Injuries alone would make signing Mawson bad business he is constantly injured, and I think the injuries have battered his confidence as well. If we could get him 100% fit and playing regularly he could be a good signing but I feel that is a big if. Gibson may not have had much game time at Burnley but they do have two very good central defenders one who has played for England and the other one is their captain.
