As England took a very deserved, albeit slightly surprising and slightly nervy, victory over Spain in Monday evening’s international Nations League tie over at Benito Villamarin, it wasn’t really the two goals conceded by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford that took the headlines.
Having taken a 3-0 lead with a brace from Raheem Sterling and an effort from Marcus Rashford, Spain obviously tried to hit back hard in the second half of the game to save their own blushes and by the full-time whistle they had clawed back two with their second coming in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
No enough to take the draw by Pickford’s attempted Cruyff turn in the match was what attracted the attentions of pundit Stan Collymore.
Despite Pickford having a hand in the opening two goals, there was a penalty shout against him and Collymore felt that with praise he should also take criticism over the presumed risk he took.
I like GK's who play.
But it's down to the GK and coach to ascertain the ability the keeper has.
Don't think that's unreasonable.
If we can tell off a MF for over playing, I'm pretty sure we can a GK. https://t.co/CQrkXTLW8L
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) October 15, 2018
Not quite.
Just not a Cruyff turn in his own box, under pressure.
Think you can have one without the other.
One us good play, one is believing you have more ability than you actually have.
Basics really. Innit. https://t.co/pcEcIQmuIJ
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) October 15, 2018
Collymore’s words received plenty of support as well as criticism from England and Everton fans, the only true thing to say is Pickford made a mistake and tried to compensate and whilst it could’ve gone against him and the side, it didn’t in the end.
All players make mistakes, all players miscontrolled, misjudge – all that matters is will he watch it back and educate himself to make a different decision next time and I’d guess given his growth and improvement so far he will.
Nothing to really be overly concerned by.