Jake O'Brien

[777Kidnappings]

He's probably going to be really shit. He can't even get into our team over Keane. Getting battered every week and he still doesn't play. Logic suggests if you can't get in this everton team you're probably really shit

[Cozzie]

Guess that's that then!

He's a dud.

Great!

[Silas]

Harsh game to come on for your Premier league debut but yeah he was a bit shit. Hard for any player to come into that, hopefully a case of the try too hards

[Kerryblueboy]

So we are writing him off based on 15 minutes today against a rampant villa played out of position and with no full back in front

[TheRam]

He wasn’t out of position and had 30 minutes on the pitch.

Am I going mad here?

[Shogun]

He was RB in a back 4 as soon as Tim went off and Garner went into midfield

[AjaxAndy]

He was RB in a back 4 as soon as Tim went off and Garner went into midfield

Both right... Was RCB and then when we were chasing the game he was more RB and everyone was all over the place as all shape went out the window.

Was shite in both positions but as @TheRam said doesn't mean he can't come good.

There are red flags building though... Easily bypassed in pre-season, can't get in ahead of Keane, can't get a start for Ireland and looked poor today.

I said a week or so ago that we might see him develop and play some this season and next, but there's probably a reason he's not played and it's not because Dyche has a soft spot for Keane.

Hopefully Branthwaite is back for the next match and JOB can settle, develop and make a claim as the season progresses to be first choice backup and Jarred's long term replacement.

[Gash]

It's still a weak excuse, he's a professional footballer, he'll have some awareness of a right back's job and positioning. There was one point he was running back into the centre of the box after chasing the ball all over the park and there was no one at right back because he'd gone walkabout Jimmy Garner's not a right back, he's not even a defender but he's done alright at RB.

Not going to write him off but some people have raved about him like he's the next big thing but he looked well iffy tonight but he shoved Watkins off the ball just after be came on so it's all good.

[Shogun]

Thought he did alright as a 3rd CB actually. Only then struggled at RB. Still, nothing he did is worth arguing about.

[Bornblue88]

I think his performance more shows why he’s being eased in than anything

[brap2]

Thought he did okay in a few duels, but not a lot to judge him on the end of a chaotic game.

[AjaxAndy]

If Branthwaite isn't fit though I think he really has to start the next game regardless, because Keane's a walking disaster.

Keane actually did a lot of good things today, but it's pointless when you let Watkins out jump you because he just wants it more... Got skinned in the box and was lucky it didn't lead to a goal not long after that too.

Feels like we're pinning everything on Branthwaite coming back though and somehow hitting the ground running despite missing all of pre-season and the first 4 matches, which is a big ask.

[Shogun]

Feels like we're pinning everything on Branthwaite coming back though and somehow hitting the ground running despite missing all of pre-season and the first 4 matches, which is a big ask.

This is my worry as well which is why O'Brien should have been playing. Keane has proven repeatedly that you can't rely on him and who knows how Branthwaite will hold up when he comes back.

[Gash]

If Branthwaite isn't fit though I think he really has to start the next game regardless, because Keane's a walking disaster.

Keane actually did a lot of good things today, but it's pointless when you let Watkins out jump you because he just wants it more... Got skinned in the box and was lucky it didn't lead to a goal not long after that too.

Feels like we're pinning everything on Branthwaite coming back though and somehow hitting the ground running despite missing all of pre-season and the first 4 matches, which is a big ask.

I don't disagree re Watkins out jumping Keane but he was stationary where as Watkins had more of a run at it so you get more height running onto something rather than a standing jump so I don't think Watkins "wants it more" it was just easier for him. I've defended Keane but I think he needs dropped I just don't know that O'Brien's the answer.

I don't think we can pin too much hope on Branthwaite either, I've been a fan right from when we first signed him but he can make mistakes too just as any player can, he's young and still fairly inexperienced, it's not like we're waiting in prime Jags coming back and we had the same when we weren't scoring saying "we'll be fine when DCL comes back" and he scored about 3 goals in 20 odd games. It's a lot to expect one player to change our fortunes.

[Toddacelli]

Thought he was ok. Some good, some bad.