Michael Ball tackles the big issues at Goodison Park following Everton’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur
With a series of outstanding saves against Everton, Jordan Pickford kept Tottenham Hotspur in the game, but who is going to challenge our goalkeeper about his inconsistent kicking?
Pickford is the best shot-stopper in the world, which is why we had to rely on three incredible saves from him in one-versus-one situations, including one that he didn’t realize was offside. However, I thought he played a very bad game in terms of putting us under pressure when it wasn’t necessary.
Sure, everyone has bad days occasionally, and Jordan enjoys pointing out mistakes to his teammates, but I don’t see anyone addressing Jordan when he makes a mistake. Although some individuals find it unattractive, I don’t find it offensive when Jordan yells at his teammates.
As a player, I had no problem taking it or giving it out. If Duncan Ferguson were in the game, I would think he would be talking to Jordan Pickford.
Although he can pick a pass, there seems to be a problem with my kicking if I’m only getting one out of ten kicks where I want it. It is insufficient.
Jordan can attempt to chip the ball into Calvert-Lewin Dominic rather than trying to burst it every time he tries to kick it long, as I have stated multiple times in my column. When the ball is coming at you quickly and forcefully as an opposition center-half, it’s easy to win because you can get a header distance; however, if it’s a little chip in the middle, it’s challenging to get around Calvert-Lewin, even if I win it, and the midfield can win the second ball because it will drop in and over that same area.
We find it difficult to set up when Jordan kicks incoherently and unexpected. I believe the manager has us set up in a particular way, but we’re exposed when Jordan kicks the ball up the other end of the field.
When everyone was on the opposing side of the field and our opponent was allowed to advance 60 yards with the ball and no one to stop him, he made one of his kicks to the Tottenham left-back in the second half. Making decisions is another problem when we have the big giants up front and Jordan is attempting to find Idrissa Gueye on the other side of the field with a 70-yard pass.
Who does he think he’s surprising? The opposition or us?
We’ve been able to capitalize on these significant occasions for ourselves, so don’t attempt to be too smart. Place the ball in a section that is targeted at the players you believe stand a chance of winning.
It started in the first half and didn’t get much better after the break, but it seemed to me that Jordan was more preoccupied with blaming the field or going to the bench or the fans to apologize. James Tarkowski, the captain, or other Everton players, like Dom, could ask him what he’s doing, yell and shout back at Jordan, and see if he loves it.
The goal is to bring out the best in him, not to minimize him. I am aware that while some gamers are unable to handle it, some can.
In the past, Danny Cadamarteri would not have that vicious streak and I would not have gotten the finest performance out of him if I had been polite to him. He would become an enraged “Tasmanian Devil” to prove me wrong and help us win a football game if I started going after him.
Even though we were close friends off the field, I would never quit bugging him on the field. For ninety minutes, I would detest him, but that would bring out the best in him, and I don’t see that in our team.
