Fringe Player Focus – Dan Gosling

Having made a few recent appearances for the Toon, the spotlight beams down on 22-year-old Dan Gosling. The former Plymouth Argyle and Everton talent has reached somewhat of a crossroads in his Newcastle United career, so lets have a little look at him.

Back in March, Gosling’s Gateshead-born agent David Hodgson suggested the reason Gosling has so far failed to break into the side is because he ‘tries too hard’ to impress. He claims Gosling has struggled with injury problems and relocating from Merseyside and as a result has tried too hard to impress manager Alan Pardew with his all-round game instead of concentrating on his strenths – his movement and scoring prowess around the opposition box. Hodgson described Gosling as a potential David Platt type player and stated that Newcastle would be mad to let him go.

Since then Gosling has had pretty much his 1st full pre-season since joining the Toon and impressed during our 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce. This term he has started 4 games, 3 in Europe and 1 against Manchester United in the League Cup recently. He has played in attacking midfield, central midfield and defensive midfield during those games. He has also made the bench for 3 Premier League games, but has not graced the pitch with his presence.

It could be argued that his performances so far have been nothing special, but then that could well be a reflection of the football that has been played by our squad as a whole so far, however If the lad is not consistently playing in his favoured position, then it will be hard for him to show what his best form actually looks like.

Another issue is his injury record. Considering young Dan signed for the Toon in good time for the 2010/2011 season, he has only 22 first team appearances to his name. His knees are not as strong as they ought to be and he seems to suffer niggling injuries as a result of this core area weakness. Of all his appearances in a Black & White shirt so far, he has only 1 goal and zero assists to his name.

Now I know there is much more to football than goals and assists, but considering his agent is selling the lad as the next David Platt – should we not expect to see a bit more attacking intent from him?

Well, his injuries have not helped. He sat out pretty much his entire debut season with us due to injury. The only exception being the 1-1 draw with our arch rivals Sunderland. Since then has had to settle for scraps in the first team around niggling injuries, lack of match practice and simply being stuck behind an impressive 1st team trio of Cabaye, Ben Arfa and Tiote in the pecking order. Add to that the fact the games he has played has seen him feature in just about every conceivable midfield position apart from left winger and you begin to understand just how hard it must be for him to build up form.

Peronsally, I agree he plays best as an attacking midfielder. He’s not full of tricks like our Benny, but he has a powerful stride, gets into good positions in the box and knows how to strike the ball around the periphery of the opposition area. The trouble is getting him into those positions regularly. Pardew’s preferred 4-4-2 system does not appear to cater for a dedicated attacking midfielder. This explains why Ben Arfa has ben stuck out on the wing and Gosling has been stuck on the bench.

We have so far been lucky with results thanks in large to Demba Ba finding form. However, with large sections of fans clearly not convinced that Cisse and Ba can form a successful partnership together in this system and performances looking ropey I have to pose the question – Why does Pardew persist with 4-4-2? Many onlookers commenting on this fansite highlight the lack of goalscoring input from our midfield, but the reality is the manager’s system does not seem to allow it.

If the formation was changed, or at least made a bit more fluid then maybe that would give Ben Arfa and Gosling the freedom to get into dangerous positions and influence games more often. However, until that happems then I cannot see how Dan Gosling can ever make an impact in Toon colours. With Gael Bigirimana now steaking a claim in the central role, spaces in the traditional midfield sense are limited. With the press beginning to link clubs such as Aston Villa with his name I think Gosling will find himself with a decision to make on his future before long.

As always with these articles there will be a pole on the subject, but asides from that I’m keen to read in the comments section your thoughts on why Dan Gosling is not reaching the levels touted for him when he signed. Is it simply a lack of ability or is there a clear link between his so-so performances and Pardew’s team set-up?

About Shamrock

Like everyone here, support Newcastle United. Not the easiest side to feel good about at times, but it's our side!

127 thoughts on “Fringe Player Focus – Dan Gosling

  1. Good read Shamrock, another problem for Dan is that our midfield kind of picks itself when all our mids are fit and healthy. I can’t see him replacing anyone ATM, maybe Jonas in a year or so when his legs begin to give way??

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  2. Sham good read mate, I do think he could be a decent player but I just don’t see were he fits in, as we’re well stocked in MF. And as Aussie says our team normally pick’s itself, and I can’t see him pushing his way into that.

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  3. I think he was bought to eventually replace Kevin Nolan. That’s where we were at the time. He would have done that job well enough too.

    NUFC have moved on big time however with the midfielders we now have. Gosling like Guthrie is not competing with the likes of Nolan & Barton for a place in the team. Hopefully he is still young enough to learn from the internationals now gracing our starting 11, I must say that he is still likely to be a backup rather than starting 11 and if he chooses to move on to get regular football he won’t be vilified.

    Good read. Thanks

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  4. Prem funny enough like Guthrie I think he has too much to offer the bench and think with a move to the right club he could become an important player for them, and if he does move good luck to him.

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  5. Good read, hasn’t really impressed so far but probably down to injuries and lack of regular playing time and I really can’t see him getting any sort of consistent game time. I can’t see him being here beyond the summer I’m afraid 😕

    Moreno..You forgot to add the “poll” 😉 ….my answer is no 🙁

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  6. Overall, Gosling lacks the technique to ever become a really good midfielder I’m afraid, but I still think he could be a usefull.

    He is the only midfielder we have that I see busting a gut to get himself in the box and help the strikers.

    If Cabaye could do the same, he would be far more effective. We desperately need a midfieler that wants to get forward more without forsaking any workrate – a true box-to-box player.

    Cabaye is the closest we have, but still no the finished product and never will be IMO.

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  7. Big Dave, from last thread…:-) 🙂 Ice has always told me that you are like an older brother to him….a much, much older brother 🙂

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  8. JJ there’s no way he could force himself ahead of Cabaye, Pards has already touted him as the next Captian, even though we already have Colo 😯 which im sure hasn’t went down too well with him.
    Aussie I take it your voting yes ?

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  9. Saying that, I really hope Gosling starts putting pressure on our starters. That would mean he improves and ultimately proves me wrong 🙂

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  10. It would be no fun if we all agreed all the time mate 🙂 🙂

    Ice hasn’t been on much, they must have cut back his internet access at the retirement home 🙂 🙂

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  11. Sorry about the lack of image and poll guys…I am literally getting ten minutes here and there to get stuff up! If anyone watched the match and could either get me some notes or a report that would be great….I am off tomorrow so will get something up for you guys to read and look ahead to the match on Sunday!!! The people who have helped out…much appreciated!

    Trust work to give me the absolute week from hell the same week Toonsy is away 👿

    Anyway enough about me. GET IN SHOLA YOU HERO! Took it sublimely. Don’t know many others who can finish with such aplomb

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  12. Agree very well written article , I think Gosling is a decent player and the potential to be a good player , he did impress me from what I saw of him at Everton , which was mainly motd highligths and the odd game. I think he has been unlucky with injuries and due to that he has prob fallen behind to where he should be. I wouldn’t write him off at 22 yet I wouldnt be overly keen on giving him a run of 10 games or so in the side which I think he needs for match sharpness / fitness / form. I dont think we have to squad to allow him out on loan , but I feel without games he wont develop. Its catch 22 in many ways with him.

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  13. Off topic – 42k fans at the first A league game here in Oz. Nice to see Aussie fans embracing real football….

    Cracking job behind the scenes on this blog Moreno.. nice work. 🙂

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  14. Did he not join from Everton still carrying a serious knee injury, hence the lack of appearances early on?

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  15. Completely off topic but last night was the best weve played this season by a country mile. I was expecting a more motivated team after pards post reading bollocking and he got his response. Now we can go into sunday with a spring in our step against a side we can definately beat if we play to our potential… 😎 😎

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  16. Good game it was too. Particularly the first half.

    And a great result for the lads v Bordeaux. I worked near Bordeaux when I first left England back in 1972 – picked fruit – played in the local football team – met the woman who became my first wife – an Aussie girl travelling with a bunch of hippies. Starry eyed, I followed her to a Bhuddist commune in Nepal, and eventually to Oz. Faded memories now, though. I can’t even remember the name of the winery where I lived.

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  17. I agree with Aussie really, it was unfortuante that after his sub appearance for us in his debut year he had that fluid build up in his knees which put him out again, it was hard enough back then getting in a midfield of Barton Tiote and Nolan but now, with some of the best midfielders in the country its obviously going to be hard.

    I have to say I’ve always had hope for Gosling, I was happy when we got him and I thought he had great potential. I know a lot of our own fans have written him off but as I said yesterday you have to remember that he’s only a year older than Fergie, the kid who is always referred to as “young ferguson” 😉

    I think if he can improve his stamina he can be a good box to box middy for us, which is a role we actually lack. He’s done wellish as a DM I thought so he can scrap for the ball at the back and he can actually run with it-something which we’ve often missed in the centre, he’s willing to take people on. Add to that he’s more than willing to have a pop at goal and more importantly-actually run into the opposition box (something which all our centres and wingers seem loath to do) and I do think he could do a job for us.

    Maybe loan him out for a month or two 😕 Particularly if we go out of all the cups..

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  18. There is definately a decent goalscoring midfield player in Gosling, His anticipation is good. Even when he flits in and out of games he nearly ends up scoring.

    Hes had some horrendous luck with injuries and it was always going to take time for him to find his feet. Im not writing the lad off just yet i did that with Perch and we found a use for him eventually…

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  19. Bris-Wow, from buddhist commune in Nepal to chief librarian in aus. How the hell did that happen? 😆

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  20. One thing yesterday-it’s just a shame Anita couldn’t find the net with his chance, that goal would have really increased his confidence and maybe he would have been more willing to get in the box in future

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  21. I think Gosling has some decent ability, but he doesn’t possess the vision of Cabaye, or the dribbling skills of Ben Arfa to make an impact on our first team. I mean at Reading he was kept on the bench in preference to another defensive midfielder!

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  22. Premandup @3 has a really good point. In Hughton’s 451, he would be a great player to be a more mobile Nolan

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  23. I’m afraid I don’t agree with his agent, if we were to let him go in Jan it would be of little concern to me. I just don’t see what he offers the club at our level. I know what he is ‘supposed’ to be, a goal scoring, good positional type, but from the chances he has has he just isn’t. Some players come on and defend well, some have trickery (he has but doesn’t use it/show it anywhere near enough) some players when they get a chance look like they are going to provide assists or make things happen. The thing is with Gosling, he just looks anonymous when he comes on and that is the most dangerous flaw you can have. I can’t understand how he is even ahead of Abeid considering the talent Abeid has.

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  24. There’s a lot of tippy tapping around the subject here so here goes. Gosling is just not very good. He had potential, we wanted him to succeed but he hasn’t. His performances have ranged from, at best, not bad, to abysmal. He just doesn’t have any significant attributes and is very slow.

    Agree with DJG, how he’s ahead of Abeid mystifies me. Something must be going on with him as Pardew is just leaving him behind, which I’m really surprised at. Looks a good player to me.

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  25. GEORGIO, I agree there is something wrong with Pardew and Abeid, he’s not even getting on the bench which suggests a falling out if Gosling is starting games. I would like to see Amalfitano get more of a chance as well, although if he is lower in the pecking order to Fergie at the moment then can’t argue with that.

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  26. It’s tough for me to evaluate Gosling as I seem to only see him in “doggy-stream” matches. It seems like he can settle in as Cabaye’s backup.

    The lad just hasn’t played much due to injuries. I’ll wait to judge him until he has a run of games under his belt

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  27. TC…spookily enough, I was on the phone to a mate this morning and told him we’d win 3-2 😯

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  28. Well just back from the hospital and after having cameras shoved through my ***** up too my balls and then another up my **** , and it felt it was so far in it was in my throat . i can happily say they found nothing sinister and was sent on my way with a perscription for antibiotics . It sounds weird after induring such an inspection but i am a very happy person 😀

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  29. Axel- very happy to hear it mate. Congrats.

    Now put a little ice on it, crack a beer, and enjoy the win on Sunday 😉

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  30. I’d take that scoreline! Especially if we could finally win a game when coming from behind for once!

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  31. Richie @39 it has been very dark around these parts without the warm glow of your eternal optimism. Glad to have you back fella! 😀

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  32. He needs to play more and stay fit but where? Just can’t see him getting much playing time with us unless we have injuries to some of our starting midfielders. I can see him moving on as Guthrie did. I think he can be a decent player for another team if he can keep his knees fit. We hopefully have bigger fish to fry if we really intend to compete with the top 4 clubs. Are you paying attention Llambias?

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  33. Richie, you shouldn’t be saying things like that about one of your best mukkas …. 😉

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  34. We should start with Shola and Ba up front on Sunday, Man Utd won’t know what hit them.

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  35. I think Gosling will stay a fringe player at the toon, and it’s only a matter of time before he moves on.

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  36. Actually I recall the jury being out about him amongst the Everton fans. If Villa or someone offered 3 million quid in January I think we should take it.

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  37. AxeL @40 ,Great news mate ,worth all the discomfort for peace of mind I’d say ,you must be elated now 😀 Do feel for you though going through that ,I thought my mammagram 3 weeks ago was bad enough ,they stuck my boobies in a friggin vice and shut it 😯 yuk ,worth it for a clean bill of health though . 😉

    On topic ,Gosling hasn’t really had chance to show his true worth imo ,the lads been beset by injuries and has the bad luck of the likes of Cabaye in front of him . Maybe he needs to go on loan for a while ,not sure he’ll ever be at Cabs level though.

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  38. I reckon he’s young enough to not write off yet, but dont fancy his chances. If he is not making an impact by end of this season he will be looking for a new team by January 2014.

    Axel glad to hear a good news story mate, if the camera had a light on it then when they realised there was nowt wrong with your backside for a brief moment, the sun literally shone out of your ****! 😆

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  39. KIMTOON says:
    October 5, 2012 at 18:35
    On topic ,Gosling hasn’t really had chance to show his true worth imo ,the lads been beset by injuries and has the bad luck of the likes of Cabaye in front of him .
    ———————————

    That’s my thought. He’s only made 13 appearances for the club and I would bet more than half of those are late-match cameos…

    We should have an idea about him by the end of the season, provided he stays healthy of course

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  40. Nice read Shamrock.

    I remember thinking when we got him that we had really done Everton, and was excited at the idea of a talented young English midfielder for free. He’s struggled with injury and he looks as though he plays with very little confidence.
    I honestly thought he’d step up when Guthrie went and cover Cabaye. I agree with an earlier comment from Premandup I think, in that he is probably most similar to Nolan, not particularly pacey but finds good positions – only Nolan scores most of his and Gos misses most of his!.
    I do think he has the potential to be a 10+ goals a season midfielder, if only he could find his shooting boots.
    I also agree that lack of games and the formation don’t help him, and 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-1-2 would suit him – and the rest of the team – much better … We certainly didn’t play 4-4-2 last night and looked loads better for it.

    I still think he can come good, and the reported £2m Villa want him for in Jan is not enough, coz you can be sure if he leaves – he starts scoring.

    Get Rob Lee as a temp coach to work solely with Gosling to show him how to do it 💡

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  41. Axel-nothing sinister up your ****? That does surprise me 😆

    Seriously though, congrats mate. Celebrate in style, hopefully it won’t involve anymore insertions into your body at least

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  42. And yeah, whilst I’ve said I think he could come good, I don’t fancy his chances much. It would be best for him, if he wants to further his career, to go to a club where he could be used-so, West Ham perhaps?

    Thing is, with the rise of Bigi, who although DM minded at the moment, he’s likely to get even less matches. I think bigi, with his ball control and vision atm, could easily be turned into a more attacking player. He’s not quite got the stature of Yaya Toure, but you get what I mean 😀

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  43. Thanks one and all for all the great comments , i am recovering from the ordeal with a fair few cans of heineken CHEERS LADS and LASSES 😆

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  44. Axel – all a bit extreme when all you went in for was an ear infection wasn’t it mate?! 😯 😀
    Seriously though mate, must have been a bit of a worrying time for you, pleased all was well for you and you’re in relatively good health 😉

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