https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... n-midfieldDuring Jordan Pickford’s Sunderland days he occasionally played in midfield during training ground practice games. The goalkeeper showcased an extraordinarily varied passing range, crowned by the unerringly accurate, long range, side-foot volley which has become his hallmark, he invariably looked the best individual on view.
Impressed onlookers routinely agreed that Pickford possessed the sort of assured left foot leading coaches pay millions of pounds for. “It’s like watching a top midfielder,” said David Moyes, his manager at the time. “Jordan’s got a very big kick but he’s also got a very good passing range, he can go short, he can go long. Distribution is such a big part of goalkeeping these days and his is very good indeed.”
Signed by Everton for £30m last summer, Pickford is also rather useful in central defence. Granted, with the ball at his feet, the 24-year-old often looks a natural-born midfield playmaker but he also seems adept as a classy sweeper.
“I played Jordan at centre half in training so he understood what it was like for defenders when keepers came over the top of them for crosses,” recalled Kevin Ball, Sunderland’s former academy manager. “Jordan loved it. He could easily have been a centre half.
“When he was in goal, the centre halves would split, hoping to take the ball from him but he’d just ping it upfield perfectly. I’d say ‘play it out Jordan, let them do it,’ but he’d reply ‘why? I’m better than them.’ He wasn’t being a pain, just honest. Jordan has confidence in his ability and his opinions. He’ll challenge you, he’ll say ‘I don’t agree’. I like that.”
For his part, Pickford thrived under the exacting taskmaster. “Bally was a great coach who wouldn’t give us any leeway,” said Pickford. “We had to do all the old apprentice jobs, clean the dressing room, put Dubbin on the coaches’ boots.”
Ball recognised that Pickford needed challenges and helped ensure that the boyhood Sunderland supporter from Washington, Tyne and Wear, received them.
Loan stints at Darlington, Alfreton, Burton, Carlisle, Bradford and Preston duly followed with their fans being treated to not only a series of stunning saves but early glimpses of that trademark rocket like sidefoot volley with which Pickford would later make so many goals for Jermain Defoe in Sunderland’s first team.
A prime example of this art can be found in filmed clips of the 75-yard ball Pickford’s left foot dispatched perfectly for Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Everton beat Hajduk Split 2-0 in the Europa League last August. It emphasises that this is a keeper who creates, as well as prevents, goals.
“There’s no place to hide at places like Darlo and Alfreton,” reflected Pickford who was driven to the latter club’s home games by his parents and would sit in the back seat consuming the chicken and pasta lunches his mother had prepared in a tupperware box as they traversed the motorway network. “Playing for Darlington at 17 I learnt so much. You’re up against men, it’s a physical and mental test against big centre halves needing to pay their mortgages.”
The stellar hand-eye co-ordination which would serve him so well was possibly inherited from his father, now a builder but once a gamekeeper on Lord Lambton’s County Durham estate.
By the time he reached Preston, Pickford was a star in waiting. “I’ve never seen anyone kick a ball like Jordan can,” says Chris Kirkland, the former Liverpool goalkeeper who deputised for him at Deepdale. “I could never have kicked a ball as far as Jordan.
“But the biggest thing about him was his command of the penalty area. All goalkeepers make saves but Jordan’s command of the area impressed me. He came out for crosses and high balls with an authority rare for one so young. He was brilliant.”
Such fearlessness was evident as a small boy in Washington. Playing football with his older brother on the family’s asphalt drive the budding goalkeeper threw himself repeatedly onto that unforgiving surface as if it were a soft play area.
A similarly unflinching candour, sets Pickford slightly apart from the crowd in today’s sometimes publicly synthetic football world. After Everton recently beat Newcastle United, Sunderland’s great rivals, he married a triumphant Instagram picture with the unapologetically undiplomatic message: “No better feeling than keeping them quiet.”
If those north-east roots are the ties that bind the life of an England international who remains close to his family and lives with the girlfriend he has dated since they were 14, Pickford’s imposing amalgam of psychological and physical strength threatens to unnerve opponents in Russia. “Jordan has exceptional wrist and forearm strength,” says Adrian Tucker, Pickford’s goalkeeping coach at Sunderland. “He’s got excellent hands.” Not to mention exceptional feet and an exemplary mindset.
For years England have been looking for a No 1 that can take them far in an international tournament. Finally, they may have found someone.
Jordan Pickford
-
- Posts: 5069
- Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:14 pm
- Been Liked: 1157 times
- Has Liked: 496 times
Jordan Pickford
A good article on England's Number 1
Re: Jordan Pickford
I know many on here pretend he's crap and want him to fail but I actually think he's very good.
-
- Posts: 10974
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:38 am
- Been Liked: 5188 times
- Has Liked: 804 times
- Location: On top of a pink elephant riding to the Democratic Republic of Congo
Re: Jordan Pickford
I know many on here are big Burnley fans and think that Nick Pope should be England's No 1.
Re: Jordan Pickford
He’s a good keeper for sure. So is Butland.
Both of em made a lot more mistakes than Pope last season.
Both of em made a lot more mistakes than Pope last season.
This user liked this post: Claretdan
-
- Posts: 4405
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:43 am
- Been Liked: 1467 times
- Has Liked: 997 times
- Location: Burnley
Re: Jordan Pickford
I don't mind Pickford I just think that sometimes he tries to be a little to showy rather than just doing things simply.
He is probably better to watch than Pope but he doesn't do the basics as well IMO
He is probably better to watch than Pope but he doesn't do the basics as well IMO
-
- Posts: 30707
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:00 am
- Been Liked: 11053 times
- Has Liked: 5662 times
- Location: clue is in the title
Re: Jordan Pickford
Pickford is good until it comes to crosses
This user liked this post: Colburn_Claret
Re: Jordan Pickford
He doesn't command his area as the article states. He flaps and stays on his line.
-
- Posts: 5882
- Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:39 pm
- Been Liked: 1698 times
- Has Liked: 2535 times
- Location: Rawtenstall
Re: Jordan Pickford
He sounds perfect. How many goals has he conceded in the last couple of seasons?
-
- Been Liked: 1 time
- Has Liked: 836 times
Re: Jordan Pickford
I like Pickford but he is first and foremost the Goalkeeper and I fear there won’t be much mention in the media of his left foot volley pass if he drops one at the strikers feet.
This user liked this post: Silkyskills1
Re: Jordan Pickford
I would say that Butland is our number 1 and will be between the sticks in the World Cup
This user liked this post: moaninclaret
Re: Jordan Pickford
Its never going to be Pope unfortunately, and out of the other 2 Butland is less likely to make a cock up - so he would start for me.mkmel wrote:I would say that Butland is our number 1 and will be between the sticks in the World Cup
It'll be Pickford though. He's just so so weak on crosses.
-
- Posts: 23343
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:09 pm
- Been Liked: 8058 times
- Has Liked: 4714 times
- Location: Riding the galactic winds in my X-wing
Re: Jordan Pickford
He's better than Butland, but I'm not sure he's better to be a guaranteed No 1 ahead of Pope.
-
- Posts: 25697
- Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2017 9:43 pm
- Been Liked: 4644 times
- Has Liked: 9849 times
- Location: Glasgow
Re: Jordan Pickford
I'd go with Butland also,i only remember the gaffe he made at Leicester last season,and the defenders in front of him didn't exactly inspire confidence.
Re: Jordan Pickford
I must admit I haven't seen Pickford that much but from what I've seen I think Popey and Butland are both better.
Seems to me that all you need to do is keep running at him (like our Ash) until you're five yards away then smash it into the net while he closes his eyes - like a playground goal.
Or attack your header (like our Chris) even though you're only four yards from the goal-line while he stands on it.
It worked for us
Seems to me that all you need to do is keep running at him (like our Ash) until you're five yards away then smash it into the net while he closes his eyes - like a playground goal.
Or attack your header (like our Chris) even though you're only four yards from the goal-line while he stands on it.
It worked for us
Re: Jordan Pickford
Say Tom Heaton didn't exist. Would there be anyone on this board who would be happy for Pope to be sold to Liverpool and us to get Pickford or Butland.
I wouldn't because over the course of a season the stats don't lie.
I wouldn't because over the course of a season the stats don't lie.
-
- Posts: 747
- Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2016 4:19 pm
- Been Liked: 170 times
- Has Liked: 277 times
Re: Jordan Pickford
Butland is the better keeper, pope should be number 2, Pickford will be woeful if our opposition get corners or set pieces, he will show his weakness then because he cant and wont command his area.
Re: Jordan Pickford
Too short
Re: Jordan Pickford
How often does that volley pass go out for a throw in?
-
- Posts: 4546
- Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:03 am
- Been Liked: 2603 times
- Has Liked: 763 times
Re: Jordan Pickford
going down the wrong route when we're choosing goalkeepers on how good their passing is rather than how good their actual goalkeeping is.
in those terms, pope is better than butland who is better than pickford.
in those terms, pope is better than butland who is better than pickford.
Re: Jordan Pickford
Pep Guardiola would probably disagree.quoonbeatz wrote:going down the wrong route when we're choosing goalkeepers on how good their passing is rather than how good their actual goalkeeping is.
Re: Jordan Pickford
Southgate see's passing ability as a key requirement for the way he's setup. If it was purely down to keeping the ball out of the net then the stats speak for themselves and Pope would be starting. Pickford isn't great off his line and I think his command of the box is nowhere near as dominant as Pope's. There isn't much between any of the three keepers but Pickford's passing ability is what has given him the starting berth ahead of the other two.
-
- Posts: 5069
- Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:14 pm
- Been Liked: 1157 times
- Has Liked: 496 times
Re: Jordan Pickford
As it is, Ederson was excellent at goalkeeping last seasonSpijed wrote:Pep Guardiola would probably disagree.
-
- Posts: 3604
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:05 am
- Been Liked: 2625 times
- Has Liked: 1 time
Re: Jordan Pickford
Am I missing something with this chat about keepers' distribution? For all the hours spent analysing it and the talk of one keeper being outstanding and another awful, they mostly seem to do the same sort of thing.
Ederson will pass it short to Stones because it's easy. Pickford will occasionally ping one to a wing back, maybe once or twice a game. That's about it. Pope gets loads of stick on here about his passing when from what I see every keeper we have tends to roll it to Tarks if nobody is closing down but 95% of the time, wallop it up the pitch. Is it really that much of a game-changer?
I'm wary of sounding like a hard Brexit footy dinosaur but I'd rather we choose the one who's best at goalkeeping. For what it's worth I'm happy to go with Pickford or Pope, I think both are ahead of Butland right now.
Ederson will pass it short to Stones because it's easy. Pickford will occasionally ping one to a wing back, maybe once or twice a game. That's about it. Pope gets loads of stick on here about his passing when from what I see every keeper we have tends to roll it to Tarks if nobody is closing down but 95% of the time, wallop it up the pitch. Is it really that much of a game-changer?
I'm wary of sounding like a hard Brexit footy dinosaur but I'd rather we choose the one who's best at goalkeeping. For what it's worth I'm happy to go with Pickford or Pope, I think both are ahead of Butland right now.
These 3 users liked this post: Lancasterclaret quoonbeatz Bordeauxclaret
-
- Posts: 23343
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:09 pm
- Been Liked: 8058 times
- Has Liked: 4714 times
- Location: Riding the galactic winds in my X-wing
Re: Jordan Pickford
Though obviously I don't want him to have a shocker, but it would be interesting to see if Southgate went straight to Butland if Pickford fluffed his lines.
-
- Posts: 4546
- Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:03 am
- Been Liked: 2603 times
- Has Liked: 763 times
Re: Jordan Pickford
pep guardiola manages a team who are streets ahead of the rest of the league. city dominate almost every team in our league and a lot of european teams.Spijed wrote:Pep Guardiola would probably disagree.
he needs a sweeper who can keep goal rather than a keeper who can play football. as it is, he's got a very good goalkeeper who can play football. pretty much one of a kind.
england are very much not manchester city.
Re: Jordan Pickford
Said it loads of times that people (including a few on this board) bang on about Pope`s poor distribution yet I have very rarely seen him miss kick a ball and he has not cost Burnley a goal through poor kicking - whereas Butland, Pickford and plenty of other keepers did cost goals last year through poor kicking.
So he cannot ping it 75 yards on to a six pence like Ederson or occasionally when Pickford does that half volley kick...really how important is that to a club with our style of play ? To Man City playing Harlem Globetrotter football its important - not to us.
The biggest advantage Pope has over Butland and Pickford (and many other keepers in the Premier League) is the way he commands his area, comes out for crosses and catches the ball. It`s been massive for Burnley this season - the number of times teams have been trying to get an equaliser or winner at the end of a game and start going directly and Pope has come out and caught a ball. When you are punching it like other keepers then most of the time you are giving back possession and the ball is coming straight back into the box.
Pope, Butland and Pickford are all excellent shop stoppers - but I think Butland has lost a bit of confidence this season with the relegation and making a few mistakes. Plus he must have thought he was a shoe in for the England number one spot before he got the bad injury.
I am guessing Southgate has gone for Pickford because international football is not the same as the Premier League and there are far less crosses thrown into the area. Plus Southgate wants to play from the back in a certain way and Pickford does look more comfortable with the ball at his feet.
So he cannot ping it 75 yards on to a six pence like Ederson or occasionally when Pickford does that half volley kick...really how important is that to a club with our style of play ? To Man City playing Harlem Globetrotter football its important - not to us.
The biggest advantage Pope has over Butland and Pickford (and many other keepers in the Premier League) is the way he commands his area, comes out for crosses and catches the ball. It`s been massive for Burnley this season - the number of times teams have been trying to get an equaliser or winner at the end of a game and start going directly and Pope has come out and caught a ball. When you are punching it like other keepers then most of the time you are giving back possession and the ball is coming straight back into the box.
Pope, Butland and Pickford are all excellent shop stoppers - but I think Butland has lost a bit of confidence this season with the relegation and making a few mistakes. Plus he must have thought he was a shoe in for the England number one spot before he got the bad injury.
I am guessing Southgate has gone for Pickford because international football is not the same as the Premier League and there are far less crosses thrown into the area. Plus Southgate wants to play from the back in a certain way and Pickford does look more comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Re: Jordan Pickford
Yes it actually is. When you come up against top class opposition you simply can’t give possession away cheaply. At aburnley we have Barnes/Vokes who are good in the air and strong. England don’t. Kane likes the ball into his feet. With Rashford/Lingard/Sterling/Vardy in and around him.NottsClaret wrote:Am I missing something with this chat about keepers' distribution? For all the hours spent analysing it and the talk of one keeper being outstanding and another awful, they mostly seem to do the same sort of thing.
Ederson will pass it short to Stones because it's easy. Pickford will occasionally ping one to a wing back, maybe once or twice a game. That's about it. Pope gets loads of stick on here about his passing when from what I see every keeper we have tends to roll it to Tarks if nobody is closing down but 95% of the time, wallop it up the pitch. Is it really that much of a game-changer?
I'm wary of sounding like a hard Brexit footy dinosaur but I'd rather we choose the one who's best at goalkeeping. For what it's worth I'm happy to go with Pickford or Pope, I think both are ahead of Butland right now.
The distribution thing can sound a nothing subject a bit petty at times. But it’s a pretty big part of football and a crucial way at times to start attacks. We hear about teams who defend from the front. Some attack from the back.
-
- Posts: 4444
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:20 pm
- Been Liked: 1165 times
- Has Liked: 1300 times
Re: Jordan Pickford
Based upon his performance against us last season I would say that Pickford is the lesser of the 3 Selected for England. I thought his positioning was poor for our goals and this was also picked up by BBC and Sky comments after the game. Pope may struggle with experience at that level.
Re: Jordan Pickford
Ederson's performance at Turf Moor sums up the modern goalkeeping requirements. He was superb (didn't he get Man of the Match?).NottsClaret wrote:Am I missing something with this chat about keepers' distribution? For all the hours spent analysing it and the talk of one keeper being outstanding and another awful, they mostly seem to do the same sort of thing.
Ederson will pass it short to Stones because it's easy. Pickford will occasionally ping one to a wing back, maybe once or twice a game. That's about it. Pope gets loads of stick on here about his passing when from what I see every keeper we have tends to roll it to Tarks if nobody is closing down but 95% of the time, wallop it up the pitch. Is it really that much of a game-changer?
I'm wary of sounding like a hard Brexit footy dinosaur but I'd rather we choose the one who's best at goalkeeping. For what it's worth I'm happy to go with Pickford or Pope, I think both are ahead of Butland right now.
His passing was top notch, even when we put him under pressure, and he made some very good saves.
-
- Posts: 3604
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:05 am
- Been Liked: 2625 times
- Has Liked: 1 time
Re: Jordan Pickford
He was excellent, that save from Lennon was the save of the season. I don't doubt he passed it to a full back nice and neatly also, it just doesn't stick in the memory too much.Hipper wrote:Ederson's performance at Turf Moor sums up the modern goalkeeping requirements. He was superb (didn't he get Man of the Match?).
His passing was top notch, even when we put him under pressure, and he made some very good saves.
The pass I do remember from Ederson is that one he tried under pressure against Liverpool in the league which gave away the decisive goal and ended their unbeaten run. I totally agree, he's a great keeper but if Pope had made such a basic kicking error we'd still be bitching about it now. If you're winning 4 or 5 every week there's a bigger margin for error than if you're at Burnley and trying to close out a 1-0.