Sam Allardyce says Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford does not deserve criticism, and quashes any claims of a bust up on the training ground.
Speaking ahead of the Blues’ clash with Brighton on Saturday, Allardyce said Pickford has been one of Everton’s “most consistent and outstanding” players this season, after the goalkeeper came under fire for his performance in the defeat at Burnley.
The 24 year-old England international made a fantastic save to deny a first half header from Ashley Barnes, but was beaten by the same man in the second half when he failed to come out and clear a long ball. Pickford was then crowded out at a Burnley corner, allowing Chris Wood to score the winner.
“There many mistakes before that one that should have been alleviated to not put Jordan in that position of whether he should have been farther out or not,” Allardyce said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“If he’s made a mistake it’s not really that big a mistake, there were bigger mistakes made before that, that allowed Ashley Barnes to get in.
“So the responsibility lay in front of him a lot more and, let’s face it, he’s been one of our most consistent and outstanding players this year.”
Big Sam also disputed claims from Jamie Carragher that there may be conflict behind the scenes at Everton, after the pundit said he would have throttled Idrissa Gueye for sprinting to confront Pickford after the first goal.
“It’s not nice when it’s on the field of play,” admitted the Blues boss.
“But everybody today, in our politically correct world, think that then there is a real problem and escalate that into a problem.
“That isn’t a problem, that is someone airing their frustration in the right way, as long as it doesn’t go beyond that as a short, sharp burst.”
Everton will welcome a return home to Goodison Park on Saturday when they face Brighton, after some torrid away results. However, Brighton will be full of confidence after last weekend’s win against Arsenal.
Everton fans, do you think you can beat Brighton on Saturday? Let us know in the comments below…
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