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Experienced former England international Chris Kirkland has backed Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford to go “right to the top” of the game.And he says the 21-year-old could help the Black Cats beat the drop – if he is brought back from his impressive season-long loan stint at Preston North End in the Championship. Former Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday keeper Kirkland has watched Pickford from the sidelines and has no arguments about being second-choice to the Under-21 international prospect, who has been tipped to cut short his loan and return to Sunderland next month. Kirkland told our sister paper, the Lancashire Evening Post: “I have worked alongside a number of top-class goalkeepers in my career and I have to say that Jordan Pickford is up there with the best. “He has got a great chance of going right to the top and his performances for Preston this season have been top-drawer. “Goalkeepers should make saves, after all, that is their job, but the thing which has really caught my eye is his command of the penalty area.” “Jordan comes out to take crosses and has an authority for someone still very young. “As for his kicking, that is brilliant! I have never seen anyone kick a ball like he does. “Even when I was 21, I couldn’t kick a ball as far as Jordan can. “He has a real willingness to learn and a good career is in front of him. “There has been a lot of talk about Sunderland recalling him from his loan with us. “I hope he stays here but if he does go back, Jordan could play a key part in Sunderland’s attempts to stay up in the Premier League. “At Jordan’s age, you tend to be fearless on the pitch and that is a big help. “It is only later on when you get a bit older that you start to worry about making mistakes.”
Never a sending off. I was under the impression that for it to be handball, the ball must strike somewhere between the finger tip to the shoulder, but not include the shoulder. You can tell by the trajectory the ball takes after impact that it hit something more solid than a flailing arm! That being said, I'd hate to be a referee in this day and age. They need video technology to assist them in contentious decisions such as these.
You may well be right on either count - but, as I've said before, bringing Pickford back, who is playing a very confident game, into a side bereft of confidence could work the other way. If we lose a few on the bounce and the defence plays poorly, his confidence takes a dent and he starts making mistakes - how long before the crowd turn on him? Won't be long before they turn on Watmore - sad thing is he was woeful against Watford, one of our worst players - yet he got fantastic backing (Not a bad thing at all) - the rest of the players - one mistake and they got it with both barrells from the crowd. Be interesting to see how our team played if they all got the backing Watmore did/does! It takes a team to relegate a side not just one player
The Linesman who gave it had the worst view on the pitch. Bed refereeing to not question his linesman's opinion.
He's not in a confident side now marra. Preston have been **** all season, they've started picking up lots of draws now thanks to their keeper who's just getting better and better. Pickford has been the figure of hope for both preston's players and fans, without him they would be lodged right in the relegation places. They're only 7 points off relegation now and have only won 5 all season.
I never said a confident side mate I said a confident game - he is playing a confident game - and has been responsible for them picking up unexpected points this season/ If he plays for us and we lose a few (the players are better finishers in this league remember) then his confidence will take a knock - it's inevitable. He could end up being as much use as Pantilimon is at the moment - I rate Pantilimon and like what limited stuff I've seen of Pickford. Pantilimon is under-performing due to confidence and nothing else - how would Pickford deal with the same situation is anyone's guess - could make or break him
So why if he's playing in a struggling teem now and improving with confidence will he lose confidence at another struggling team? I don't get your logic at all. Keepers aren't like outfield players. He's facing situations akin to any league. It's not the quality of the league he has to deal with, it's the quality of the shot/cross/situation he has to deal with, this can occur at any level on the football ladder. Here certainly seems to be more head strong than Pants. But that is common in youth but you appear to think it's the opposite and they're more likely to have confidence dented, this is what I don't get because the character of the lad in question points to it being the opposite. The lad like Watmore is fearless, because of his hunger and drive. Have you read what Kirkland said about young and old goalkeepers? I think he nailed it. Not evry kid is a Francis Jeffers quaking in his boots. “He has got a great chance of going right to the top and his performances for Preston this season have been top-drawer. “Goalkeepers should make saves, after all, that is their job, but the thing which has really caught my eye is his command of the penalty area.” “Jordan comes out to take crosses and has an authority for someone still very young. “As for his kicking, that is brilliant! I have never seen anyone kick a ball like he does. “Even when I was 21, I couldn’t kick a ball as far as Jordan can. “He has a real willingness to learn and a good career is in front of him. “There has been a lot of talk about Sunderland recalling him from his loan with us. “I hope he stays here but if he does go back, Jordan could play a key part in Sunderland’s attempts to stay up in the Premier League. “At Jordan’s age, you tend to be fearless on the pitch and that is a big help. “It is only later on when you get a bit older that you start to worry about making mistakes.”
I think what Marcus is saying (correct me if I'm wrong mate!) is that Jordan's confidence is growing atm because, as you've stated, he's single handedly keeping Preston in the league right now. The rest of the team is ****e, but he's able to keep clean sheets regardless. Would he be able to do that against the Aguero's and Lukaku's etc. in the prem? I'm not so sure. So he'll start shipping more goals and hence potentially lose confidence... It's a difficult decision no mistake. EDIT: for the record, personally I'd bring him back and give him a run as first choice. But I can see why some on here are dubious.
I'd give him a crack at it. as good as pants is, he foes not command his area well enough. and his distribution is ****e. the break might do him a bit of good anyway
But I don't buy it mate, look at some of the shots he's saved in the clips. Some fantastic shots and difficult crosses he's faced. How big a household name delivering the shot or cross doesn't make the slightest bit of difference to me. World class saves are world class saves whether the shot comes from Wayne Rooney or John Rooney. He's a great shot stopper and commands his area magnificently. He's got all the hallmarks of a Shea Given rise to fame, the second he showed he could hack it with us in a lower league the Mags snapped him up he was making 30+ top flight games for next 10+ years. I think he can play 30+ Prem games for us next season and every season after that. I also think he could come in now. In fact I'm dying for Vito to leave and Pants to pick up a knock because I don't think Pickford would ever be dislodged. 'Protecting' him by not playing him would be detrimental imo, especially when he's see that lacky lump flapping left right and centre. I know what Marcus is saying, I just think the opposite. No biggie, Marcus is great.
That's fair enough mate, although I do think it would be more difficult for him in the Prem. As I said though, I'd defo be giving him a shot. In fact, I would recall him in Jan, offer him a long term deal, and tell him if he signs it he's a guaranteed starter for the next, say, 4 games. If he proves himself he keeps the number 1 spot, if not Pants steps back in. Perhaps morally questionable lol, but I really think we need to tie this lad down.
