Jake O’Brien highlighted the need to gain match sharpness following a “tough start” for Everton in the pre-season. The Blues drew 1-1 with Accrington Stanley and suffered a 1-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers in their first two friendlies of the pre-season.
O’Brien featured in both games and, speaking to evertontv after the match, he expects the team to improve in the coming weeks.
“I know it’s been a tough pre-season to start with, but we’ve got big games coming up and it’s important we get valuable minutes in them and get the sharpness up,” he told evertontv after the loss to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
“It’s early and I’m just going to go back, train, and make sure that I get sharper and more fit. There are big games coming up, so it’s important that I keep training hard and become more sharp come the start of the Premier League.”
This week will be important for the Blues as they continue to ramp up pre-season preparations. New signing Thierno Barry has also joined the squad and David Moyes’ side will fly to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.
Next season is going to be an intriguing one for O’Brien. Initially sidelined by Sean Dyche, he got a new lease of life under David Moyes, making 18 of his 20 starts in the league under Scottish manager. Despite being a centre-back, he was deployed as a makeshift right-back for most of the final few months.
“I think it’s important to be versatile,” he acknowledged. “To not just know one position but to know various positions – and I think I’m still learning. But it’s good to play out there. I’m happy to play in the two positions and if I’m needed there, I’ll be ready.”
The Blues are reported to be in the search for a right-back and had terms agreed with Kenny Tete before the Dutch full-back signed a new deal with Fulham. They also have captain Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson for the role.