It’s an end of season press conference and Joey Barton is in a relaxed mood, despite Bristol Rovers having closed the 2022/23 campaign with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers to finish 17th in League One.
Due to his demeanour, he’s doing his level best to keep a straight face as he depicts a nightclub scenario, while weaving in Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, as an analogy to best describe Rovers’ position in trying to convert Lewis Gibson’s loan into a permanent deal.
The centre-back has been the Gas’ best defender and a vital component of Barton’s side, even captaining the team in the absence of Sam Finley and Aaron Collins’ apparent on-field indiscretion. Emphasised by the fact that of the 13 League One fixtures he missed this season through injury, Rovers managed to win just once - the 2-1 victory at Cambridge United, drawing three and losing the other nine.
The fact he’s only been absent that many times is significant in itself because Gibson arrived in north Bristol with a history of injury issues that had curtailed his development having once been the jewel in the Newcastle United academy before Everton signed him for a fee potentially rising to £6million in 2017.
However, over his three senior seasons on loan at Fleetwood Town, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday he’s made 11, 13 and six appearances, partly why the Toffees have allowed his contract to reach a point where it’s weeks from expiration.
Under Barton and his strength and conditioning team led by Tom Short, the Gas have given him a platform to play regularly and hit upon a training regime which maximises his availability.
As a result it’ll come as no great surprise to discover that Barton would dearly love to bring the 22-year-old back to the Mem on a permanent contract but, in many ways, Rovers could become victims of their own success. Because having engineered so many opportunities for him to display his talent, it’ll no doubt have perked the interests of clubs higher up the food chain.
Perhaps even Everton, with their Premier League status under threat and should relegation occur, it would lead to an inevitable clear out and perhaps a focus on some previously ignored assets already in the building.
As Barton admits, when good friend and mentor Sean Dyche requests an end-of-season debrief on Gibson’s time in BS7, he’ll only receive positive feedback.
“We’d love to sign Gibbo and hopefully we can give him a three-year deal and as much as we can pay him but the problem for us is he has played 30 games now,” Barton said. “Anyone who has got half a brain cell in the Championship will be, ‘okay going left-footer, really good quality’.
“I don’t want to say this but my grandmother isn’t listening but my grandad will be spinning wherever he is - if Everton get relegated I’m like, who knows? Dychey’s going to obviously speak to me about him, I imagine. He’ll get nothing but a glowing report from me.
“Give him a go. If they’re in the Premier League that will change it because I don’t think he will get a shot at it. We’ve got to give young lads an opportunity to see what they can do.
“Hopefully Gibbo goes beyond us and signs for a big club because that will be great for his career and I think the same about loads of our lads.”
What Rovers can offer Gibson is familiarity, not just in location - although he’s another individual who will have to be tempted down from the north west which carries its own challenges - but club mentality, playing style, dressing room and Barton’s coaching ethos and what he wants from his team.
Gibson's tweet on Tuesday offers a small insight into the impact Rovers have made on him, as he wrote: "I have felt at home since the minute I arrived at this club. I appreciate everything. Such a special group. Thank you. UTG x."
The bar should be raised once again next season and bringing a player of Gibson’s quality in would only reinforce that notion, but to get in the room with the centre-back and discuss a long-term deal, they are likely going to have to wait their turn, behind the Brad Pitts and Tom Cruises in the Championship… whoever they may or may not prove to be.
“I shouldn’t say this to you but I said to Gibbo, if you’re in a nightclub and we’re chatting you up, we’ve got to do everything we can to make sure we’re going home with you,” Barton added. “If Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise walk in, we might have to accept we’re playing second fiddle.
“We’ve got to give it our best shot and he’s a quality player. Second time in his life that he’s played the most games and it’s been for us. Clearly we know how to keep him going.
“The key for us is if you had him as a pillar in your team and Aaron Collins - there’s two parts of the jigsaw that can get you into the Championship.
“The problem for us is they are all just going to be circling with deep pockets. It’s exciting and disappointing at the same time; I’ll be getting the most make-up, earrings, my best outfit and my best perfume to woo Gibbo and hopefully Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt get stopped at immigration.”
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