78% of Everton fans are telling Sean Dyche to play one player against Leicester City

The majority of Everton fans have spoken and told Sean Dyche to start Jake O’Brien against Leicester City this weekend.

Taken from our Liverpool World poll of results, 78% of voters believe the Irishman should come into the side in place of Michael Keane. Having conceded 13 goals in four games with Keane in the side, fans have been frustrated with his performances, especially with O’Brien waiting in the wings.

It has been difficult for the Everton boss as he hasn’t had his strongest starting XI at any point during the campaign so far and a detrimental injury to Jarrad Branthwaite has greatly affected the side’s ability to defend with any sort of consistency. Plus, Keane started just four games last season as he was a back-up to the back-up in Ben Godfrey - and he has already matched that four games in.

O’Brien is fit, ready and eager to make an impact and the reason why we haven’t seen him so far from the start, is that Dyche believes he is still ‘learning the nuts and bolts’ of the Premier League. Well, it is difficult to learn them if you aren’t starting games. Only 2% of fans thought that Keane should remain in the side due to his experience and that’s all he has over the new addition.

Furthermore, 20% said yes to bringing him in but wanted to see a back three. As it stands, a back three of James Tarkowski, O’Brien and Vitalyi Mykolenko or Keane could work quite well. It suits the majority of the team and their lack of right-back options means that Ashley Young or James Garner could play down the right if Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson are not available.

Midfield options in the centre are strong and Dwight McNeil would be brilliant as a left wing-back. Plus, Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom would both benefit as two central 10’s with more emphasis on freedom in regards to their position. As much of an argument we can make for O’Brien starting, this weekend’s game will be very telling from Dyche. We know Branthwaite will be back soon, within the next few weeks, which will help his current defensive issue. But if O’Brien is omitted from the starting line-up once again this weekend, then it is clear he is going against the fans’ wishes.