Pickford to start tomorrow according to Henry Winter

[ClaretAndJew]

Not really sure I believe Pickford has been in better form than Heaton. Shame really.

[AlargeClaret]

He’s the established no1 tbf. But great to see Tom back in the mix

[Tricky Trevor]

Didn’t let Southgate down at WC so the jersey was his to lose.

[Devils_Advocate]

Better keeper than Heaton especially at International level but the gaps getting closer and a few blunders for England could get Tom his chance

[MACCA]

Pickford, 3 clean sheets in 4 including v Liverpool and Chelsea

Heaton no clean sheets in 9, including conceeding 8 in the last 4 games, and looking suspect on quite a few goals/ situations of late.

Absolute no brainer.

[jrgbfc]

Why wouldn't Pickford be starting? He had a decent World Cup and played every game in the Nation's league where we won our group. He is clearly Southgates number 1 and a few iffy games for his club isn't going to change anything.

[Woodleyclaret]

Pickford is not better than Tom and harsh criticism re Leicester goals doesnt change that
Tarkowski left Morgan unmarked to steal the points not Toms fault.

[IanMcL]

Pickford is not best. However, he is the chosen keeper.

Need an error or several, to get found out

[AlargeClaret]

Pickfords done nowt to lose the shirt though technically Heaton is marginally better . TH also is remarkably error free for a keeper as opposed to JP who does get a blood rush . Heats hands are better though JP has a superb take off .Though this forum on keepers is about the same level as asking Dianne Abott about them . We’ve had “ Hart is Shiite/fraud/superb , Pope virtually god like he saves every ball in the air you know and comes for every ball from here to mars ,as for Pickford the forum destroyed him over the Belgium goal which he wasn’t at fault evtvetv

[JohnMac]

I don't think his position as No1 was ever in doubt. Goalkeepers have to do something really bizzare to lose their place in most cases.

[MACCA]

Pickford is not better than Tom and harsh criticism re Leicester goals doesnt change that
Tarkowski left Morgan unmarked to steal the points not Toms fault.

I think the Liverpool game was more of a concern, when under pressure against top class opposition Tom crumbled.

Got to remember we are always underdogs, Pickford is under far more pressure week in week out due to age, fee, England's number 1 and playing for Everton. He's had recent shut outs v Liverpool and Chelsea.

If it was Pope we may have an argument, but Southgate or any other manager wouldn't be dropping the long term number 1, for a 30 odd year old who might not be even in the squad in 12 months when all the other GK are fit/playing regular.

Toms or Pickfords form lately has hasn't given Southgate a decision. Pickford starts unless injured or a friendly.

[Goobs]

Pickford is not better than Tom and harsh criticism re Leicester goals doesnt change that
Tarkowski left Morgan unmarked to steal the points not Toms fault.

No he didn't he was caught flat footed by the deflection on the cross and it fell perfectly on to Morgan's head who was right behind him.

No fault of Heaton or Tarks.

[box_of_frogs]

Pickford, 3 clean sheets in 4 including v Liverpool and Chelsea

Heaton no clean sheets in 9, including conceeding 8 in the last 4 games, and looking suspect on quite a few goals/ situations of late.

Absolute no brainer.

Stop bringing facts into this.

[Tricky Trevor]

Pickford is not better than Tom and harsh criticism re Leicester goals doesnt change that
Tarkowski left Morgan unmarked to steal the points not Toms fault.

That cross was in the air an awful long time.

[houseboy]

Pickford is not best. However, he is the chosen keeper.

Need an error or several, to get found out

Get found out about what? He has been Englands number one now for some time and has done nothing at all to lose that shirt. It doesn't matter who is waiting in the wings you don't drop a player who is playing well in competitive matches. We all want Tom to get in the side but to drop Pickford just now would be just plain foolish. He's a great shot stopper, gathers the ball well, commands his area and is just about as vocal as it gets for a keeper - nothing to dislike.

I think it's a bit selfish of some who seem to want Pickford to have a bad game or two for England just so Heaton can get a chance, we should be supporting England in competitive games, not being the Tom Heaton fan club. We have to accept that Heaton may never be Englands number 1 due to age factors, Pickford is 7 years his junior and showing no signs of decline, at 32 Toms days are numbered to an extent. History is full of examples of great players not playing for England much because someone better is keeping them out. Years ago we had the fabulous Martin Dobson who should have been a shoe-in for England but for Trevor Brooking who was a very similar player but just that little bit better.

[SalisburyClaret]

Following his injury, I think Tom needs a solid full season behind him in the PL. He’s clearly the better keeper and has been the better keeper this season but Southgate isn’t going to ditch Pickford overnight just on the basis of a short run of form.
The same could be said of Pope whenever he gets a first team slot back - he’s going to have to prove his ability over a long period of time

[Rick_Muller]

As someone who had Claret tinted specs regarding Pope before the World Cup I have to admit that Pickford impressed me enough to deserve to be England’s no 1 for the time being. It must be good for England to have some high quality backup.

[IanMcL]

Pickford will probably get worse, with age. He is not big enough for longevity and relies on agility. Great when you are young.

[ClaretTony]

I think it was always going to be Pickford with Southgate backing him. He's going to have to show some improvement though over a period of time to keep his place.

[JTClaret]

I'd be very surprised to see Pickford dropped.
Southgate looks to be trying to create a club-like team togetherness, and switching the team based on club form isn't the right thing to do.
Now if Pickford doesn't play well for England, then yes, his position is for the taking. If it just isn't working, a la Joe Hart for us, then it is for the taking - otherwise it will take an injury to lose his place, and hopefully he wouldn't get it straight back once fit... just like at club level

Regular switching of the team hasn't worked for a long while for England. Whatever Southgate tried to create for the World Cup worked, so as a manager, you have to believe he is doing the right thing... well, until he gets it wrong obviously haha

[Falcon]

Pickford was excellent during the WC.

Have to confess I didn't watch the Nations League games, but assuming he didn't have any howlers he's done nothing to deserve being dropped.

Just like this season for the Clarets, Tom will have to bide his time.