The young midfielder impressed in his breakthrough campaign, but constant positional changes and a thigh injury towards the end of the Championship season left him frustrated.
Norwich have since moved to replace David Wagner, who seemingly saw Gibbs’ position outside of central midfield, with new boss Johannes Hoff Thorup, who rates him highly as he continues to shape his side.
Gibbs is ready to stake his claim and is hopeful of laying down a marker in the rest of pre-season ahead of their opening day trip to Oxford. The young midfielder also clarified what position he saw himself occupying under Thorup.
“Last season was disappointing and frustrating for me. I wanted to play more, and when I did play, I wanted better performances for myself.
“This injury was like a reset button for me, and I’ve used the summer to really work hard to come back stronger. I feel like I’m in a really good place and ready to kick on, get more minutes, and really impact games.
“I see myself more as that number eight,” Gibbs clarified to the Pink Un. “I can play the defensive role and also more attacking, but I think the box to box position suits my characteristics and attributes.
“To be honest, I’m happy to play wherever the manager wants to play me. I want to be on the pitch, impacting games. If that means, for one or two games, that I have to go into a different position – then I’m more than happy to do that. My main position would be in the midfield.”
Thorup hailed Gibbs after his opening pre-season outing against Standard Liege on Saturday, with the midfielder continuing to build up his fitness after returning from injury, and the City boss sees the former Ipswich trainee playing a major role in his plans.
That is music to the ears of the 21-year-old, who outlined his ambitions for the upcoming season at Carrow Road.
“This season for me, I’m really looking to kick on, especially after last season not going exactly as I would have liked,” Gibbs said.
“This season my goal is to get myself into the starting XI and really push on to impact games and the season. I want to push us on into the promotion [places] which is what we’re all aiming for.”
