Perry Groves has criticised Jordan Pickford on talkSPORT following Everton’s 5-2 win over Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup.
It was a largely comfortable night for the Toffees, but the England international made two errors as the League One outfit provided a scare at one point when it was 3-2.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Groves said: ‘Everton should be looking at top-six. With the money they’re spending, that’s doable, but not with Jordan Pickford in goal. I think he will cost them getting top-six.’
That is a rather bold statement, but you can see why it’s been said.
The ex-Sunderland glovesman was closed down by two Fleetwood attackers for Mark Duffy’s goal, before flapping at an overhead kick and parrying it in.
It could even be argued that this is no longer dependant on how Pickford actually performs, but instead the blood that is smelt by opposition players when he’s in possession.
Just by watching Duffy’s goal, Fleetwood’s forwards sprint towards him when he gets the ball, and seem visibly aware that the 26-year-old is a weak link given their lung bursting efforts.
It looked like something Joey Barton had told his attackers to do.
Worryingly for Carlo Ancelotti, that gives his side a target to be aimed at.
Presumably, opposition managers up and down the Premier League will be focusing their team talks on targeting the nervy goalkeeper.
As a result, it might mean Everton simply have to score more goals to counterbalance the fact that their glovesman could mess up at any moment.
It remains to be seen if he’ll cost them a top-six place, but it’s hard to find another weak link as glaring as Pickford in this Toffees side.
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