2025/26 Jake O'Brien

Raino85 · November 4, 2025

evertondotcom said:
This experiment is over imo.

Get Garner in at RB and get O’Brien in at CB alongside Keane

You got alongside and instead of, mixed up

MACCA75 · November 4, 2025

Playing with two full backs that don’t contribute going forward always seemed a crazy idea. I don’t even think either are great defensively either.

bcblue1878 · November 4, 2025

It’s not his fault because he’s playing out of position, but as each game has gone by this season he’s got worse! Clearly being identified now by the opposition as a weak link and it’s hurting us!
I’d Coleman isn’t fit enough to start I’m afraid it’s got to be Garner at RB for the foreseeable!

Bluerover · November 4, 2025

Raino85 said:
You got alongside and instead of, mixed up

I would pair him with Keane and give Tarks some time to rest and get fresh. He is looking increasingly error prone.

Verbal Kint · November 4, 2025

Should be playing centre back with Michael Keane..... Can't be judged until then. I've seen enough of Tarkowski this season to know he needs a rest, he's all over the place.

Raino85 · November 4, 2025

Bluerover said:
I would pair him with Keane and give Tarks some time to rest and get fresh. He is looking increasingly error prone.

Tarkowski is better than Keane, Keane brings Tarkowski's game down

mo58 · November 8, 2025

Feel like he’s been hard done here. Third choice being left out for fourth. He’s been played out of position and done reasonably well. Also think his pace at cb could be beneficial to help us play a little higher up.

Hitchy · November 8, 2025

Raino85 said:
Tarkowski is better than Keane, Keane brings Tarkowski's game down

This is just another example of using Keane as a scapegoat. He’s been by far our best defender this season whilst Tarkowski has looked lost

Tennessee Blue Mike · November 8, 2025

Raino85 said:
Tarkowski is better than Keane, Keane brings Tarkowski's game down

Unsure about that comment. This year Tarkowski has been very average, really poor by his usual standards.

Efcjake · November 8, 2025

New dad, not enough sleep. Let him have a rest and come back strong again.

Taifi gorm · November 13, 2025

Played great tonight. Very mobile and physical, pressing all over the park.

Bluerover · Friday at 9:34 AM

RTE rating

Jake O'Brien - 8

The Everton man looked right at home in a defence that was incredibly committed to keeping a clean sheet. His aerial prowess is obvious, but O'Brien settled Ireland down many times with some smart passes and coolness on the ball.

hetion · Friday at 9:42 AM

Would love to see Branthwaite - O'Brien pairing before the season's end. Would be great to have them as a settled pair to start next season, could be so good together - both good on the ball for a CB, but both still huge and a physical matchup for any striker.

ArtetaMagic · Friday at 9:45 AM

hetion said:
Would love to see Branthwaite - O'Brien pairing before the season's end. Would be great to have them as a settled pair to start next season, could be so good together - both good on the ball for a CB, but both still huge and a physical matchup for any striker.

This all day long

davek · Friday at 9:49 AM

We'll need a change of manager to see O'Brien in CD. Moyes will persevere AT ALL COSTS with a failing Tarkowski for political reasons.

The looming problem we have here is that Moyes cant put O'Brien back to RB as he's not right for the position; but he wont find a place for O'Brien at CB as he'll be seen as 4th choice for a spot behind Keane, Tarkowski and a returning Branthwaite.

We'll be looking at a now proven CB at international level who'll want first team football and I could easily see O'Brien wanting away next summer.