2025/26 Jake O'Brien

PeregrineT · Tuesday at 10:12 PM

Branthwaite and him would make a big, fast, strong core. You know, if Branthwaite ever recovers.

Kevsleftpeg · Tuesday at 10:26 PM

Just much better than Keane because of his mobility, footwork, speed and strength. More dominant centre half gives the entire team a lift.

D. Amokachi · Tuesday at 10:40 PM

Feel bad for him having to play out of position for 12 months because the club can’t buy a right back. Hopefully he gets a run in his proper position soon.

hetion · Tuesday at 10:45 PM

PeregrineT said:
Branthwaite and him would make a big, fast, strong core. You know, if Branthwaite ever recovers.

Lawd please let us see this consistently and for a long time. Could be an incredible pairing.

Jake looked soooo comfortable tonight which is a huge compliment considering he's barely played there for a long time now.

TraffordBlue · Tuesday at 10:45 PM

Great performance tonight, his best at CB, and looked a lot better having Tarkowski next to him. Bullied their players on more than one occasion with his physicality.

banno · Tuesday at 10:47 PM

If JOB performs like that then I cannot see Keane getting back in

FTY · Tuesday at 10:57 PM

D. Amokachi said:
Feel bad for him having to play out of position for 12 months because the club can’t buy a right back. Hopefully he gets a run in his proper position soon.

Will do him good long term, but yeah not great that it may have tainted some people's views of his level of ability, when he has been a 6"6 square peg in a round hole

FTY · Tuesday at 10:59 PM

Whether it's under Moyes or our next manager, I really we get to see him and Branthwaite as a pairing for a good amount of time

Their pace will allow us to play 10 yards higher up the pitch

Pabbers · Tuesday at 11:01 PM

Clear as day he is a monster of a centre back….its so obvious he can be unreal.

Time for him to stay central every week….then slowly get Branthwaite next to him.

Saint Domingo · Tuesday at 11:03 PM

Run this lad alongside Tarkwoski until Branthwaite is back. Fed up of watching Keane sauntering aimlessly at the back. OBrien and Branthwaite as a partnership are the future if we want some pace back in the backline.

MACCA75 · Tuesday at 11:22 PM

Never been fully convinced by him but was very solid tonight.

Rita_Poon · Tuesday at 11:23 PM

Strong.

Joey66 · Tuesday at 11:26 PM

banno said:
If JOB performs like that then I cannot see Keane getting back in

Tarks is not playing that well though...

Lanolin · Tuesday at 11:32 PM

He had a good game but please let’s not get carried away. It’s great that he did well but the whole ‘it’s so obvious he’s amazing why can’t everyone be as clever as me’ thing after one game against a side who just didn’t look very good is a little bit over the top. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come but let’s just wait and see before we proclaim him as the messiah after a single game.

knowing your history · Tuesday at 11:33 PM

PeregrineT said:
Branthwaite and him would make a big, fast, strong core. You know, if Branthwaite ever recovers.

Yes I so want this to happen at some point. Tarks been a great servant which we all respect but surely Moyes must see at some point you have two very good CBs in their early to mid 20s so perhaps giving them a run of 5-6 games would make sense to continue building for 26/27.

Missed the opportunity last season bar right at the end but then Branthwaite got injured before Newcastle match.

Given Moyes is a pragmatist at heart suspect he'll wait to get 40 points first before giving it a trial run.