Jake O’Brien has suggested James Tarkowski has switched off in Everton’s last two games.
Everton have failed to win since their return from the international break, with two goals conceded in all three of their last outings.
In the Merseyside derby loss and defeat to West Ham, Tarkowski was at the centre of fan frustration after failing to deal with deliveries from corners.
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Whilst assessing what has gone wrong over recent weeks, O’Brien may have just criticised his captain without realising.
Jake O’Brien issues indirect James Tarkowski criticism at Everton
On the back of the recent defeats, Moyes has been furious with Everton’s defending at set pieces.
It cost the Blues against both Liverpool and West Ham, with valuable points dropped in the race for European qualification.
“I think it’s just been set pieces or moments where someone might have switched off,” O’Brien told the Everton website.
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“No, we’ve definitely looked into it. I think it’s important for us to see where we went wrong, just because there’s four games coming up and it’s important that we don’t let it happen again.”
Everton supporters on TalkingPoints have shared their frustration with Tarkowski following the last two games.
The Everton captain has been an excellent servant over the years, but he has played his role in failing to deal with the recent set piece goals conceded.
After the last four games, the Toffees have now conceded nine goals from set pieces.
Jake O’Brien needs to offer more from set pieces
Although it may have been Tarkowski at fault in the last two games, the Irish giant, O’Brien, should be offering their side more in the air.
Tarkowski and O’Brien dominated Nottingham Forest aerially earlier in the season when they started alongside each other at centre-back.
However, from set pieces the Ireland international has not quite provided the same threat.
O’Brien has won 68% of his aerial battles this season.
At the height he is, O’Brien simply has to be matching up against the opposition’s biggest aerial threat and winning his duels.
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