Pat Nevin says Everton have suddenly become intimidating all thanks to one player

Pat Nevin says Everton have suddenly become intimidating all thanks to one player

Everton are looking to enjoy a comfortable finish to the 2024/25 Premier League season under David Moyes.

A couple of months ago, the Toffees were in a worrying situation.

Due to Sean Dyche’s dreadfully bad performances and results, some supporters began to believe that relegation was inevitable.

But in shocking news, Dyche departed Everton on the day of the FA Cup match against Peterborough United.

It was the timing of the decision that was surprising, not the choice itself. The owners had to take action after Dyche reportedly told The Friedkin Group that he couldn’t lead Everton any farther.

The Scot has had a fantastic start since David Moyes was hired.

He has made a few adjustments, and Pat Nevin is interested in one of his recent choices.

Pat Nevin suggests Everton have new intimidation factor thanks to Jake O’Brien

When Moyes came in, it was mainly about keeping the defensive solidity and improving the team’s attack.

Moyes also had to give a struggling dressing room new hope and self-assurance.

Although he has accomplished all of that, former Everton striker Nevin believes that Everton has benefited much from the choice to start Jake O’Brien.

“Apart from putting his full faith in his charges, it is difficult to see what the new/old manager has done,” he stated (via BBC Sport).

“When you need to fight and intimidate the opposition, it’s not a bad thing to have the man-mountain Jake O’Brien at right full-back because it adds to the starting 11’s “land of the giants” vibe.”

What David Moyes has said about Jake O’Brien

O’Brien has started the last three Premier League games, with Everton winning all three.

That reflects well on O’Brien, who has been praised by fans for the impact he’s made.

Moyes decision to make him the 6ft 6in ace starter has been very interesting, because Everton’s backline had actually been fairly good prior to his arrival.

However, Moyes recognised O’Brien’s potential and recently stated: “We’ve tried to utilise him a little bit as a full-back, a little bit as a hybrid, sometimes playing a bit further in. Make an effort to get him to play. Although he still has a lot of work to do and a long way to go, he is getting better. However, I’ve been rather happy.

“It’s fantastic that he joined the team and we won both games against Brighton and Spurs! He generally kept Mitoma quiet in the main.

That endorsement is encouraging for O’Brien, who the new boss obviously thinks is a good player.

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