'It was frustrating' - Jake O'Brien relieved about his Everton turnaround

Usually a centre-back, Cork native O'Brien said he had no issue with being deployed at right-back by David Moyes. 

CHANCE TAKEN: Jake O'Brien failed to start a Premier League match for Everton under Sean Dyche but has started the last two since David Moyes took over. Pic: Mike Hewitt, Getty Images

Jake O'Brien has expressed his gratitude to David Moyes after the new Everton manager transformed the Corkman’s season from “frustration” to elation in the space of a week.

Whereas the £16m recruit from Lyon was on the periphery under Sean Dyche all season, failing to start a Premier League match, the Scot’s trust in selecting O’Brien at right-back for the last two matches has helped record wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion.

"I think I just had to be patient, wait for my chance and gladly the gaffer gave me a chance to come into the side and play a new role," the Youghal native told the Everton website.

"I'm just happy to play my part in whichever role he wants me to play. I'm happy that it's two wins in two now.” 

O’Brien – promoted to the Ireland senior squad last year – insisted he’d no worries about being deployed away from his usual central-defensive position.

"I knew it was always going to be different,” he noted.

“I suppose when you look at me, you don't think of a full-back but I have qualities where I can defend one on one and bring the ball out, as well. So I think I can be natural and just express myself.

"I think there were a lot of question marks over my head over what kind of player I was. It was frustrating that I wasn't able to show what kind of player I was but gladly now I can come to the side and start to show bits of my game."

O’Brien downplayed the booking he incurred after the final whistle as Brighton tensions rose amid the Everton celebrations.

"I think it was just, I suppose, a little tussle," O’Brien explained.

"Just with Jordan (Pickford) and the lads getting around him. I think it was just the team trying to protect him because he's one of the lads.

"It wasn't much, really. It was just, kind of, getting lads off our lads and then going to celebrate with the fans."