2025/26 Jake O'Brien



This should be the season we try and integrate him into the CB position. It’s wasted development time on the right

….RB clearly needs addressing, amazing how we’ve not found an effective long-term solution in a position that shouldn’t be difficult to fill.

It’ll mean less game time for O’Brien but there should still be plenty given injuries and suspensions. It’ll actually be a good sign when he’s not starting games.
 
I thought Gnonto had him rattled all first half.

The high press, it seemed to go down O'Brien's side.

Came into it more when Gnonto came off.

Not a criticism. Just felt that Gnonto won the battle yesterday. Must have been a nightmare for him that.
I saw the opposite.

You know when Gnonto's head's gone: he starts smiling at players marking him off the ball trying to show how 'unflustered' he is.

O'Brien kept him quiet all night (without doing much going the other way like...which is why we need a specialist RB in).
 
We can get by with him at right back when there’s balance to the rest of the squad.

I even think when you’ve got that balance and have someone out wide right in front of him who works almost as a wing back it can be a strength for us to have him at right back as he essentially just becomes a wide centre back anyway.

But games like yesterday, when the balance of the team is all so off and makeshift just highlights the deficiencies of playing him as a right back. We can’t rely on him to provide width/overlap/threaten the opposition/provide quality on the ball.

Think we are letting him down in not finding an adequate right back this window to replace him. He should have been playing at centre back yesterday really and imo should eventually be taking Tarkwoski’s place this season once Branthwaite is back fit.
 

I saw the opposite.

You know when Gnonto's head's gone: he starts smiling at players marking him off the ball trying to show how 'unflustered' he is.

O'Brien kept him quiet all night (without doing much going the other way like...which is why we need a specialist RB in).
This.
If he had O’Brien on toast they wouldn’t have subbed him.
Probably the worst type of player for a 6’6” CH standing in at RB to face too - a pacey, tricky midget.
 

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