“I was happy to be back in my natural position” - Jake O’Brien on playing centrally in recent games

Can't help but think he's losing some precious experience every game he's played at right-back with Keane in the middle.

I know needs have made it that way but let's get him and Jarrad Branthwaite playing together and see if it works.

Play the lad where he should be, for fuck's sake.

And let's not forget -- look where he was when he took the shot that Beto scored off!

Not the biggest loss.

Ditto the Wolves goal. He must start centre-back, end of. He's helped us out enough at right-back.

I know you're not his biggest fan, but he has played well in his 'proper' position at centre-back, especially against Villa and Forest.

That should be our back 5. Pace galore to atone for the odd mistake their relative inexperience will invariably make. They'd still make less than Tarkowski this season, nor be caught out through the middle by pace, like a good few times this season.

Midfield: Garner, Dibling, Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall,

Srikers: George and Barry or Beto.

Back that up with Armstrong, Rohl, Gana, Alcaraz, Beto or Barry, Tarkowski and Keane; leave Iroegbunam, Mykolenko and McNeil as 'to be used in case of emergency'.

Not that I think for a moment that our Davie would dare to use callow youths, or an attacking policy.

Interesting that the women's coach Sorenson lost his job today. He was criticised from a few different sources for often playing players out of position, and that it was difficult to understand his selection policy at times. Wonder if he played four centre-backs at once in a starting 11?

Food for thought.

Many people on here look at the flaws in the Tarkowski - Keane partnership and invariably blame Keane. I'm not one of them.

I think Keane has been our best defender this season -- by some distance. I think Tarkowski has been our worst -- by the same distance. If I was the manager, it would be Tarkowski making way.

Moyes has had the opportunity to play O'Brien at centre-back for a year. Yet, unless there has been an injury to one of his chosen centre-backs, he has always decided not to do so. That would suggest that, in his mind, O'Brien was 3rd choice centre-back.

With the return of Jarrad Branthwaite, he is probably 4th in line right now. I know just about everyone on this website would disagree... but they won't be picking the team -- Moyes will.

O'Brien has, at times, looked like a fish in a birdcage. He is not a right-back... but I have loved his attitude. I don't don my green tinted glasses when I watch him at centre-back. I still think he is very raw, but I would play him there in a heartbeat because of all the players we have.

He is the one (I believe) who has the most improvement in him. He could be anything -- as they say in horse racing circles.

I have been face to face with Moyes twice in the past and I know if I got a third chance and asked him why the fuck he is playing big Jake at right back, he would simply point to the good results we have gotten when he was... and tell me to fuck off.

I pressed the send button inadvertently before I had finished my last post, but the edit button isn't working so I couldnt get it back. I meant to say, He would be no great loss to Moyes.

I gave an opinion based on all known evidence and I firmly believe that, if O'Brien doesn't play right back, he won't be playing at all.

Yes, I would love to see him grow into the position but, for me, no evidence that he should start. We know Mykolenko is a good defender, he has kept some of the best quiet, eg, Salah, Saka. The biggest issue is that he is not a wing-back who will regularly support our attack.

I also would love Dibling to succeed and was very happy we signed him as I did fancy him... but, from what I've seen, he is severely lacking confidence at the moment. Again, he needs to be eased in to try and build back his confidence. I do believe from the Villa game is that Rohl has started to show potential.

This is deviating from the main theme of O'Brien. As an Irish Toffee, I would love to see him succeed but anytime I see him, he rarely gives a forward pass. Maybe a good back-to-the-wall defender but my biggest fear is that it won't be long before he becomes the latest whipping boy on ToffeeWeb -- replacing the current favourites of Mykolenko, McNeil and our pair of strikers.

Besides the mistakes he makes, his piss-poor passing, it's the stupid fouls he does what do my head in. Sly little kicks and pushes, throwing people to the ground off the ball...

I know some of our fans love his hard man routine but he will cost us with unnecessary free kicks given away or red cards. And how many times has he deflected the ball past Pickford because he's virtually standing on his toes?

He's been a decent servant for a free transfer but I'm honestly counting the days until I don't see him in an Everton shirt.

What did you say to Moyes on the two occasions you were face to face with him?

Hence Keane is much better this season.

But, even if Moyes stays, that will be the pairing once we get in new full-backs... and, until that happens, I think we'll continue with the four centre-backs in most games.

Keane is error-prone and loses his man; Tarkowski is rash and lacks pace; O'Brien is still young, but is guilty of making individual errors. And I doubt he will ever be in the same class as Branthwaite.

If we are serious about competing at the top and winning honours, I think you need better than Keane and Tarkowski. They are a million miles off England class, and I think that's the level you need to be on in a key area of the pitch. Some will point to their stats, which are impressive. But put them in a World Cup and they'd be eaten for breakfast.

Too early to call on O'Brien, but I think he looks more a good stopper than a defender who will be seen as elite. Will he be in the conversation as a top 4 defender? I can't see it.

Harsh, probably and it will divide the fan base. But you either want to get to the top or you don't. And having better quality players comes with the territory. Look at Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool -- the upgrades needed to compete from when they were shite.

It sums up a good point neatly and I also agree re Keane having been vital to us this season.

I am quite interested how our defensive line-up pans out for rest of season after the failure re full-back recruitment in the transfer window.

I just hope the line-up becomes stable too; they work as a defensive team who know each other well and anticipate what each other will do and compensate for weak points in each other.

I'm not sure about Aznou's defending, but I don't really rate Mykolenko. He's an average defender who cannot head a ball properly -- watch him in his next game: he always mistimes his jump and heads it straight up in the air, or it runs down his forehead. A bit Per Krøldrup, perhaps? I would therefore give Aznou a chance.

Dibling lacks confidence because he's another that Moyes won't give him minutes. If only he'd put his boot right through that chance against Leeds, that would have done him the world of good.

Patterson for me is a good full-back who again was short of confidence after a bad run of injuries -- mainly while playing for Scotland -- so I see no reason to persist with Jake O'Brien there barring emergencies.

Keane has been our best centre-back. He's played really well, whilst Tarkowski has gone backwards, upped his snide level, and his exocet passing to nearby colleagues has directly led to goals conceded this season.

The team I put up is the team I would pick, and it should be our starting 11 next season before the world class striker and Harry Wilson coming in (crosses fingers)...

I also agree with Mark (14), I would have Iraola in a heartbeat.

Good luck in France tonight, Neil. I'm going there for the last game in March. Hopefully for an England Grand Slam.

I think Tarkowski is a liability; he is getting slower by the week. He refuses to move far from our 18-yard box because of his lack of pace.

This season, Keane has been our best centre-back and he carries a threat in the opponent's box.

We have 4 good centre-backs at the moment, if any of them are overrated, it's Branthwaite, he gets way more praise than he deserves for me and up to now is too easily injured -- time will tell how he goes on with that. Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying he is a poor player... just that he is not as wonderful as many want him to be.

Considering few fans seem to rate our defenders except the blue-eyed boy, we concede very few goals in most matches.

To me, our recruitment of these players hints that Moyes won't be our manager next season. They are young dynamic players for the near future and, unless Davey really changes his approach to the games, are not his type of player.

Branthwaite and O'Brien will be our future centre-backs with a young side built around and in front of them. I'm feeling quite optimistic.

You are 100% correct. Moyes has little trust in young players; he is definitely not the manager to develop a young squad.

That's the first time I have heard that one.

It wasn't just me and Davey. I didn't have a private chat with him. On both occasions, I was in a group. I have posted before about how he marched up to dozens of angry Evertonians in Lisbon airport. He could have walked swiftly by, but he decided to meet us head on.

The other was in similar circumstances at Newport Pagnel services.

Don't he deceived by his C&A cardigans. He may look like everyone's easy-going uncle, but he has got teeth and he is more than happy to bare them. He will not back down. I get the impression that if he thinks he is right. Nothing will change his mind.

Not sure if that's a plus or a minus.

Good for him standing his ground, did he take your points on board?

I like the fact he stands up to the baying mob. he's honest, he might not get things right, but there's no side to him. I think that's one of the reasons the players like him as manager, they feel they know where they are with him, he seems pretty straight.

He's never had the money, is one claim, which might be true to a point but, the more I look at him, the more I'm not sure he could handle a bigger squad of very good players?

It would be very nice to see if I'm talking absolute pony, I know,

I have only two comments to make. I'm happy with 'cautious' if it helps win games. We still have a chance of a European spot so, if Moyes considers Aznou a liability as a defender, I'm happy to wait for him to develop.

As for Dibling, he needs to take his opportunities when he does come on; otherwise, there is no case to be made to include him in a starting line-up.

On our next manager, I do not have any opinion. Calls for Iraola or Glasner are great but the criticism of Moyes is that he is too cautious and that he has won nothing at club level (excluding his European trophy with West Ham). Neither has Iraola.

Many favourites mentioned here on TW have not succeeded at bigger clubs. Frank, Postecogleu, Potter... to mention a few. We should be careful for what we wish for.

Yes, Moyes is not going to be there long term; his brief was to stabilise an out-of-control ship -- that he has done. Let's build up the squad with young skillful players and see who could mould them into a competitive team.

Iraola, Glasner, Maresca, Franks, Howe, Marco Silva, Tuchel, Ancelotti, Valverde, Xabi Alonso, Terzic, Pochettino and Deschamps.

Interesting summer ahead. Do Everton stick or twist?

If Moyes completes his contract in summer 2027, many of those managers will not be available.

I think he's referring to his fellow Everton supporters.

How many players are regularly being left out of the squad or not playing?

11 players and 9 subs means you have 20 players that are involved on match day. Playing twice a week and injuries, and you can keep a core squad of 25 happy with rotation.

It might change if he had a few more good players — but there's also a chance that he might not have the personality to deal with a squad full of better players with bigger egos...

Add Fabregas to the list of managers.

He would be my choice

I'm not sure he could handle a bigger squad of very good players

There's also a chance that he might not have the personality to deal with a squad full of better players with bigger egos.

You might be onto something there, Tony. It might be more than a 'chance'... It might be case proven, open and shut. When he jibbed us off for the big lights and big egos t'other end of the East Lancs Road.

being benched years ago, would have ruffled some feathers, but I think it is accepted now, and why clubs can have 2 quality players per position if successful and can afford it.

If it good enough for Haaland, Foden etc, then it can be overcome. it just needs the perception that the club is worth being loyal to, rather than an also ran.

I was speaking to our (I believe) mutual friend, much missed on here, Rob H, a few weeks ago regarding our manager. I pointed out that we signed a young full-back from Wigan a few years ago.

We never played him until one of our centre-backs got injured, and the left-back he had been using, a lad called Lescott, was moved to centre-back after an injury to Joe Yobo. The Wigan signing's name was Leighton Baines.

Previously, on the right-back side, we had played a lad called Jagielka, as cover, I believe as Tony Hibbert must have been injured. On Hibbo's return, Jagielka was moved to midfield.

The other centre-back got injured, and Jagielka was moved back there. Our then centre-back partnership was absolutely rock-solid, but to me, none of that was planned by Moyes, it was forced upon him by injuries. Parallels to today perhaps??

No one on here appears to have commented on Sorensen leaving having had the square pegs inflexibility tag attached to him. I do think that Mr Moyes may be being eyed accordingly.

John Collins - 34 - (Great player btw), I'd love Fabregas too. Same Barca upbringing as Pep and Mikel -- although a City mate of mine who goes every game, Europe and all, told me 20 minutes ago that he thinks Pep has had his time.

18 trophies in 8 years and they are looking to get shut.

I can't work Man City fans out, to be honest... years of crap similar to us; they become serial winners and can't fill the ground?

Once again, it must come across to some people that I'm criticising David Moyes but I'm just giving an opinion that I'm not sure he has got the personality to manage a squad full of different egos.

It's one of the reasons I believe he has always been comfortable managing a smaller squad.

My mate has followed Man City for nigh on 60 years. He's seen almost everything they have won, and is an absolute realist.

I think I can see what he means with Pep, as I believe that you can only motivate people for so long before it all reverts to 'same old, same old'. It's possible Pep also will feel like that and his own motivation is diminishing, and feels like a new challenge. Time will tell.

I noticed when Haaland came on last night that he was getting really frustrated with making great runs along the line, crying out for a simple through ball or ball over the top, and City persisted in pissing about with it in nice little triangles, which has happened at City since he signed.

Back to Everton, I still want the team I offered in my initial post on display on Saturday, including Aznou, Patterson, O'Brien and Branthwaite as the back four.

Over to you, Davey...

I think Pep may decide it's time at City, I don't reckon the owners will though mate.

We both know your back four won't happen, Keith. I'm being honest when I say he's probably right on Aznou in a back four this moment in time.

I would like to see him given a go in a 3-5-2. If he can get away with playing 4 centre-backs for the rest of the season, he will do just that.

"Branthwaite overrated" -- seriously?

I suggest you watch some of his performances from last season again. He's only been back for a game and a half (one out of position) but you can already see what a difference he makes to how we defend.

Given Branthwaite's age, I would not swap him for any centre-back currently playing in the Premier League.

If he fails to get Europe, I guess it is no chance.

I sometimes think you understand the Evertonian mentality as much as Davey Moyes does.

The official figures will tell you 7,000 Evertonians travelled to Lisbon that night. Other sources suggest it was closer to 10,000.

With the possible exceptions of the Glasgow clubs, I don't think there is another club who could have matched our support that night. The hotels put their prices through the roof. So did the airlines, but nothing was going to deter this army.

Whole families travelling among huge groups. We were quite simply everywhere. Baring finals and semis, I would say it was the best away support I have ever seen.

We came out for the second half to ear-piecing noise even though we were trailing 1-0 -- "This was it, Boys, History awaited". 5 or 6 minutes later, we were trailing 4-0.

The magnificent Evertonians watched on in horror as their support was rewarded by one of the most spineless, soul-destroying capitulations ever seen.

The "baying mob" as you described it, was made up of a load of families. The food outlets were bust. There were flight delays. Over-tired kids were kicking off. Fans had spent all that time and money to be shamed.

They knew before they set off that a win was a big ask, but they were full of hope and belief that their team would show enough defiance to pull it off. In the end, they were betrayed. Their team and their manager had crushed them.

So trust me when I tell you. They had every right to be angry.

You constantly complain about Moyes not getting the recognition you feel he deserves, but that night was only the tip of the iceberg. I've lost count of the number of times this fan base and that marvellous travelling army has had their dreams crushed by Moyes's reluctance to go out with the sole purpose of winning the game.

The defeats at the grounds of the big clubs. The numerous humiliating cup exits at the hands of clubs that shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as Everton Football Club.

Sorry, Kevin, but without that "baying mob", you probably wouldn't have a team to support by now.

I used to love singing We Shall Not Be Moved. Now, when the next round of the cups come along, we're usually out and I'm always put in mind of The Seahorses song, Blinded By The Sun:

You just have to go find.
Something else to do
And don't ask me what went wrong.
The list goes on and on and on and on.
The list goes on and on and on
The list goes on and on

And good for you travelling all that way to support the team.
Sometimes though, things don't go well. I get that it can look like a cowardly surrender, but I don't think that's what it is. People panic, lose their heads, and start making mistakes which can then snowball.

I must admit though I don't rate much the argument 'if only he'd play with the handbrake off'. I've heard this a lot down the years. And two instances come to mind, when we did indeed try to play with the handbrake off.

First with Martinez, and for six glorious months it worked. Whilst the players had the discipline Moyes had instilled, combined with a more attacking mentality, it all seemed to work. Loads of last-minute winners, flowing footy, marvellous.

But like the cartoon cat who walks off a cliff and finally realises there''s no floor, once that penny drops, there's no going back. 'And once a team loses confidence in its ability to properly defend, there's no going back'. And down into hell we go.

Endless possession, endlessly boring... and then conceding soft goals by the dozen. I've not intention of supporting a return to that purgatory again.

And then the second time we learnt that lesson was Dyche's last season. We were playing some okay footy for a while, but that loss to Bournemouth, that's what swung us back to 11 men behind the ball.

Sean correctly decided that, horrible though it was, it was preferable to having a team that wasn't secure at the back. Losing 3 goals in 5 minutes. Nobody wants that. But that is what playing without the handbrake on looks like for a club in our position.

Darren. Villarreal, mate!

But yes, I've been at my most miserable as a fan when we've been a team that coughs up daft goals. You can never enjoy it, cos you know a cock-up is just around the corner.

Centre-back is a very tough position. Jake's progress and experience will have been helped by playing at Premier League level at right-back. He has not been particularly comfortable there, he's no overlapper, we all get frustrated with that, but he will have learned a lot this season.

I understand that mate

You seem to believe that Moyes is faced with a simple dilemma. Play what you often describe as "Gung Ho" football and lose. Or play it safe and survive. You don't seem to be aware of the countless other ways to skin this particular cat.

"Do it Moyes's way or "Down into hell we go" - I wonder if you have any idea how incredibly ignorant that notion is?

Moyes has his followers and rather depressingly, they all seem to think like him. They simply do not understand the very essence of the game. While Evertonian football lovers understand the point of the game and want to see vibrant life run through our club. Moyes and his boys are simply happy to exist.

This constant looking back to conveniently selected era's in order to justify Moyes's Zombie approach to the game doesn't wash. He hasn't faced a fraction of the problems his predecessors had to face. He's already been backed as far as the PSR rules will allow by the current owners.

But nothing will change the way he has always done things. He gets a job, makes a killing... then invariably gets run out of town by his own supporters. Fans who understand the whole point of a game of football is to try to win it.

Has his approach worked for him? Well yes. It has... for him. He is, without any shadow of a doubt, the richest failure in football.

I choose life.

That first half last week was an embarrassment, cowardly shithouse football that I thought we'd seen the last of when Dyche was shown the door.

Regarding Martin's, it worked the season after as well when we reached 2 semi finals. Give me that any day of the week rather than our going out at the first attempt every season.

Some may not be happy but Jake has been excellent for me and not to be under-estimated in his versatility. Yes, he is best at centre-back but good at right-back too!

Moyes's philosophy is safety first, second and definitely last.

A manager who in the past got us into Europe and regular Top 10 finishes, funded by loose change from the back of a sofa, yet he brought in Baines, Arteta and Pienaar for starters.

Now, he has guided us from being one point off the relegation spots last season, to safety and comfort.

He now has a bit more money than he has previously had so let's give him time to build a squad. Why did Grealish come to Everton and George and probably many others? Because of his relationship with players. Bad managers don't get this response.

And while were at it, who would you have in place of him? Some experiment like at Man Utd? That turned out well with Amorim, didn't it?

Finally, let me remind you or your mindset cousins at West Ham, of how some there wanted him out, and after delivering their highest league position in years, and a European trophy, now they're in a dire relegation scrap. I bet they would love Moyes back there now.

Be grateful... and be careful of what you wish for!

He has won a trophy, albeit not with us. Name me how many trophies are available and how many current managers can boast winning one?

I rest my case with its difficulty.