Everton are no longer seen as a club that will be battling relegation come May.
David Moyes guided Everton to safety with relative ease last season, finishing a whopping 23 points above 18th-placed Leicester City.
This season, Moyes is keen to return the Toffees to Europe and they’ve made a decent enough start to do so.
Toffees defender Jake O’Brien has now come out and pinpointed exactly why there is a different feel around the club this year.
Everton defender Jake O'Brien.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Jake O’Brien says the mentality has changed this season
Speaking to Everton’s website, O’Brien was asked what feels different about the Toffees this season compared to last.
He pointed to the mentality around Finch Farm.
“I think there’s been a change of mindset. The manager has come in and he’s been excellent for us.
“We’ve brought in new players, who have also been excellent for us. Everyone is gelling together and there’s a real good vibe around the place.
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“When you have that and everyone is putting in 100 per cent, it’s obviously a good thing for the club.”
Jake O’Brien says the group is really close
O’Brien also added that he feels Moyes has been able to bring the group a lot closer together which has helped.
“Yeah, very close (group),” the 24-year-old said.
“I think we’ve always been a close group and in the tougher times it has been as well – if someone kind of falls down, we pick each other up and go again.
“I think it’s the closest group I’ve ever experienced. There are real big characters in the team and around the club that will pick you up if you need it and also to just remind everyone of the standards we set ourselves.”