2024/25 Jake O'Brien

davek said:
O'Brien is doing a great job at RB under the circumstances and he's defo the best player we have in that position at the moment.

However, he's not the answer for us at RB.

He can certainly tidy up there and play out from that position, but if you look at him closely he doesn't get out and close down wingers on that side, he leaves that up to Lindstrom. In fact, he's pretty ineffectual at challenging near the box when he's facing up to an attacker over there (in the box I applaud that because he rightly sees danger in a big frame like his being turned easily or a savvy winger falling over one of those long legs of his) but outside of it he should be tackling.

I also dont think he's a great option in getting down the line and whipping balls into the box. Neither is Mykolenko and we haven't had a creative FB option since Coleman was fully fit.

I give him 9/10 for impact since he came into the team, but this lad is a CB all day long. And I think he can be a Stones type ball carrier...though not under Moyes.

Destined for a very big club in a couple of years time.
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I’m shocked I tells you, shocked, I agree with this.
 

It's pity Nathan Patterson can't get his act together or our other right back options aren't pensioners as I reckon the lad has earned a go at centre half. Looking at the recent results we haven't kept a clean sheet since Leicester and if we're being brutally honest Tarky and Jarrad have had a few ropey moments in the last 6 games. Be good to drop one of them for Jake to give them a bit of a kick up the backside.

Not saying the backline is overly broken but nice to keep people on their toes.
 

royvernon39 said:
Jake brings so much to right back that I would keep him there next season especially as there are so many other positions that need improving.

If DM can find someone who can deliver decent corners, etc this lad could score 10 a season; he defends well, is fast, and passes well. How could have Dyche trained with him for so long and not twigged?
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Dyche didn’t play him as he was a Thelwell signing. Cut off his own nose to spite his face.
 
Armaghtoffee said:
Dyche didn’t play him as he was a Thelwell signing. Cut off his own nose to spite his face.
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Dyche didn’t play him because he’s a stubborn mule who wouldn’t know a talent if it was standing right in front of him. I know that’s true because it’s just happened. Prem experience over everything. That’s all that mattered with old Sean.
 

Last thing you want to see as an opposition defender in the closing minutes of a game if this lad getting in the box. There's no doubt he's a handful, and long may it continue. Not sure where he will end up after the rebuild, but he's certainly had an impact on the right, and slots nicely into the 3 when Myko gets forward.
 
NathDogg said:
He’s a much better footballer than people give him credit for, he’s carrying the ball out and looking for progressive passes, and supporting the winger really well.

Been really good since the joke ex-manager left and he got a chance.
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He's the best footballing CB we've had since Stones.

Wouldn't surprise me if he ended up doing that role he does at City...the one I called out years before Pep saw it.
 
I would love to know what SD thinks of the transformation in Everton since he left and in particular the impact of Jake O Brien who was completely ignored by him.

Given that he felt he couldn't get any more out of this group of players I wonder if it has shaken his belief in his own football ideology at all?
 

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