David Moyes has got one thing all wrong at Everton, the stats prove it
Everton are firmly in the race for Europe as the Premier League season moves into its final stages.
The Toffees currently sit eighth in the table, with 37 points from 26 games, just five points adrift of rivals Liverpool in sixth.
Everton were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, a result which pulls them closer to the mid-table scramble.
However, the Merseyside outfit could still clinch European football for next season, especially if David Moyes makes one small tweak to his preferred starting line-up.
David Moyes is using Jake O’Brien wrong
Jake O’Brien has been very solid for Everton this season, really stepping up when needed for Moyes’ side.
The Republic of Ireland international is naturally a centre-back, but has been utilised at right-back for the majority of the campaign, with the Toffees lacking options in that area.
However, it’s now clear that Moyes has to move O’Brien back into the centre of defence, to give the Merseyside outfit the best possible chance of reaching Europe.
As shared by Ell Bretland on X, the Blues perform far better when the 24-year-old is in the middle.
When O’Brien has played centre-back this season, Everton have only conceded one goal every 183 minutes.
However, when he is used at right-back, that number drops massively, with the Toffees conceding once every 62 minutes.
David Moyes needs new plan at Everton
O’Brien was sent off against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, given a straight red card for a last-man challenge on Amine Adli.
It means the Irishman will be suspended for Everton’s next game, as they take on Manchester United in the Premier League, with three matches saved for violent conduct.
O’Brien will be available again when the Toffees travel to Newcastle on 28 February.
Between now and then, Moyes will have to come up with a new plan for right-back, and Nathan Patterson may get another chance in the starting lineup.
Patterson has only started three Premier League games this season, but could add to his tally over the next few weeks with O’Brien out.