Loads of Everton fans have been reacting on social media after Jordan Pickford fired back at some of the criticism he has received for his recent performances.
Pickford was widely slammed over the weekend for his howler at home to Crystal Palace which allowed the Eagles to draw back level, before strikes from Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gifted Carlo Ancelotti his fifth win at the Goodison Park helm.
Christian Benteke struck his first goal of the season in all competitions to pull the game level after 51 minutes, when the Belgian’s tame right-footed strike found a way under Pickford as the England number one flopped to the ground.
Pickford had plenty of time to react to Benteke’s shot, and should have dealt with it, but has argued that he failed to prevent the ball from rippling the back of the net due to his foot being planted in the ground.
“I’ve watched the goal – I’m lucky I haven’t done my cruciate, to be honest,” Pickford said, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo. “My foot [was] planted. It was a foot save and I have led with my hand.
“I couldn’t get my leg out. It was stuck. It happens. But I am mentally strong. I’m disappointed but it doesn’t affect us.
“People probably doubt us week in, week out but I know what I am capable of and I know what I can do. I will keep pushing. I have reached a certain level and I don’t want to stop.”
Should Pickford be our number one next season?
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Building on the criticism aspect sparked by his error, Pickford added that some pundits seemingly prefer to see blunders from English players in order to chastise their performances.
“I think the press and everybody; the punters – look at Gary Neville – they just want to come for England players,” said Pickford. “Everyone gets stick. Some get a lot more praise than others. That’s part of being an England player.
“Everyone hates you, for some reason. I just get on with it. You have got to live with it, you have got to learn. I know what I am capable of and I know what I am good at.”
Saturday’s victory over Palace was Pickford’s 26th appearance of the Premier League season, though the £100,000-per-week goalkeeper has not kept a clean sheet since recording his sixth of the campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Pickford’s comments…
He’s dangerously arrogant. with the season he’s had so far he really shouldn’t be complaining about criticism and taking himself up.
— DLJL (@DLJL1878) February 10, 2020
He doesn’t need to come out and answer the critics. Do all that on the pitch!
— 🧤Scouse Goalie ⚽️ (@ScouseGoalie) February 10, 2020
Let’s be honest he doesn’t help himself
— Henry john mooney (@hjmooney) February 10, 2020
The problem with Pickford is his immaturity an it tells in his goal keepin but he is still young in goal keepin terms, if he gets his head down makes better decisions an is less visible during games he’s got what it takes to be a great keeper
— andrew murphy (@murph_cat) February 10, 2020
What is he good at?
— Ste John (@SteJohn1111) February 9, 2020
Tell me what he’s said wrong here? He’s spot on. People like Neville love to slate him. Keeper is the hardest position on the pitch when it comes to scrutiny.
— Ian G (@IanG1878) February 10, 2020
@JPickford1 your just not very good
— Nathan V (@ntv1994) February 10, 2020
Tbf he knows the score. Fair play.
— Cat of the Canals (@otrochris) February 9, 2020
In other Everton news, some fans have been reacting online after a club legend tore into a Football Association decision.
Just nowhere near as good as he thinks he is in