Jordan Pickford: Everton star must avoid complacency or he will follow in the footsteps of Joe Hart

Jordan Pickford: Everton star must avoid complacency or he will follow in the footsteps of Joe Hart
“Joe Hart is arrogant and making far too many mistakes,” Roy Keane remarked ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier with Montenegro in 2013.“Id have dropped him six months ago.” At the time, this comment was dismissed as just another candid put-down by the former Manchester United captain.5

Pickford has come under criticism for his recent performances

Never one to hold back with a scathing assessment, his thoughts concerning the Manchester City goalkeeper were filed away under ‘harsh’ and few gave it much thought.This was a player who had won the Premier League two seasons earlier, claimed his third successive Golden Gloves award and started as England’s first choice in the last two major tournaments. These days, Hart finds himself on the bench at Burnley, Boxing Day was his last appearance for the Clarets, a 5-1 drubbing at home to Everton.Prior to that, there had been loan spells at Torino and West Ham. He was unceremoniously dumped by Pep Guardiola, disliked for a supposed inability to play with his feet and replaced with Claudio Bravo.In hindsight the prophecy of mystic Keane carried more weight then we were initially led to believe.5

Hart has not played for Burnley since Boxing day

Fast forward six years and England will face Montenegro again, away, on Monday in a Euro 2020 qualifier after a clash with Czech Republic – both live on talkSPORT.The situation with Hart shares similarities to the one Pickford finds himself in or thereabouts. Thankfully, this time Keane has yet to be reached for his opinion.Against Newcastle, earlier this month, the best and worst of Pickford was on display. A rugby tackle on Salomon Rondon would have received plaudits had it taken place in the Six Nations. A yellow or red card failed to materialise.Pickford then inevitably saved Matt Ritchie’s subsequent spot-kick. Taunts from the St James’ crowed reigned down upon him, his time with Sunderland ensued this was a given. Revelling in his role as the pantomime villain, the 25-year-old took it all in his stride.5

Pickford was poor against Newcastle but this done little to dent his confidence

His celebrations were exuberant, Pickford was pumped. He poked his tongue out too.Later in the same game, he should have kept out Rondon’s shot and then parried the ball right back into the path of Ayoze Perez. Everton lost 3-2. Even as he made his way down the tunnel, the abuse continued, Pickford, chest puffed out, simply waved and winked back, his confidence still intact, his concentration questioned.

LIVE on talkSPORT

There are six live commentaries across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and where to hear them, below...

• England vs Czech Republic (Friday) – talkSPORT
• Walsall vs Barnsley (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• Shrewsbury vs Portsmouth (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• San Marino vs Scotland (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
• Netherlands vs Germany (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2

Alan Shearer described Pickford’s behaviour as “ridiculous and bizarre.”The attitude of Pickford is reminiscent of Hart’s. The latter allowed himself to be overtaken with a sense of the occasion, he yelled and beat his chest in the tunnel, whipping himself into a frenzy prior to England’s matches at Euro 2016. A perceived ego and unwavering self-belief only magnify mistakes.5

Pickford was one of England’s heroes at the World Cup

His summer exploits at the World Cup with England, have led some to suggest complacency has become Pickford’s downfall.The hero in a penalty-shootout win over Colombia, was followed with a man-of-the-match showing in the quarter-finals against Sweden.England progressed, a nation dreamed and Pickford could do little wrong.Returning to Finch Farm for pre-season, Pickford’s profile was enhanced, Chelsea were keen, their advances rebuffed. His Place in Marco Silva’s side never under threat. Maarten Stekelenburg, now 36, has not played in the Premier League for two seasons. Joao Virginia is 19, promising, but not yet ready. Pickford has no challengers at club level and it is showing.This season, he has made the most errors leading directly to a goal (7), two more than Asmir Begovic and Martin Dubravka.After 30 league games last season he had not made a single one.The mistake that led to Divock Origi scoring in the 96th minute of the Merseyside derby was catastrophic.5

Pickford must use Hart’s downfall as an example

Gareth Southgate regards Pickford highly and he should start both matches, beginning with Czech Republic on Friday.Tom Heaton, who has ironically replaced Hart at Burnley, has been excellent since returning from a shoulder injury.While he is a credible candidate to step up and play for his country, Pickford is unlikely to be ousted, he has never let Southgate down and in truth, nor England.Despite his gurning and willingness to engage with provocation, Pickford is still a brilliant goalkeeper. A great shot-stopper and distributor, its important he recaptures the form that helped him join Everton, before starring in Russia.Hart’s fall from grace was swift and unexpected, Pickford will do well to learn from his predecessor.

---

Spurs register their interest in signing Kovacic. Mateo Kovacic joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in the summer, and rumours today in Spain state that he could make extend that stay indefinitely, with the Spanish club keen to get rid of the Croatian midfielder - but Spurs are also interested in signing him.
Chelsea interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Mateo

---

A big money move for Leicester City's 26-year-old Harry Maguire, perhaps worth £60m or more, would seem unlike Tottenham as the resale value would be less than for someone like De Ligt, but perhaps that would be a signal of their new era. Read More. Jurgen Klopp delivers big injury update on Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino ahead of Spurs clash
Harry Kane - Wikipedia

---

Bordeaux midfielder Younousse Sankhare the world's strangest football injury after he was ruled out for several weeks due to complications from his beard implant surgery. The 29-year-old has been mysteriously missing from the Ligue 1 side's match-day squads for two weeks now, with fans unsure of why he's missed certain matches.
Bordeaux star sidelined for several weeks due to beard

---

Motherwell winger Jake Hastie has agreed personal terms with Rangers - at least according to Football Insider. The report claims the midfielder will join Rangers on a four-year deal come the end of the season. As Jake Hastie's contract was running down, he is free to negotiate a deal with another club.
Rangers 'agree terms' with Motherwell's Jake Hastie

---

A talkSPORT caller has said he is 'embarrassed to be a Juventus supporter' after hearing Leonardo Bonucci's reaction to the racist abuse suffered by team-mate Moise Kean against Cagliari
Moise Kean celebration: talkSPORT caller 'ashamed to be

---

Championship round-up: Leeds move above Sheffield United into top two, Norwich extend lead Leeds move into top two as Sheffield United are beaten; Norwich beat Middlesbrough in evening game to
Championship round-up: Norwich go top again, West Brom win

---

Nicolas Tagliafico only joined Ajax this year, but is already being linked with Arsenal. Who is the Argentine full-back and why might Unai Emery want him? Nicolas Alejandro Tagliafico was born in Buenos Aires in August 1992, and got his break at local side Banfield.
Arsenal bid £8million for Ajax and Argentina defender Nicolas

---

Wayne Rooney hires a burly ex-Old Trafford bodyguard known as 'Big Ginge' to take him to Everton training after his drink drive ban. Wayne Rooney has hired a burly ex-Man United bodyguard Damian Hall
Wayne Rooney says what Manchester United fans think about

---

West Ham United have been linked with a surprise move for unsettled Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos. According to reports in the Spanish press, Ceballos is edging closer to an exit from the
Marca claims Dani Ceballos's time at Real Madrid is over as

---

FINAL PREVIEW Aston Villa vs Derby: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time and team news for the Championship play-off final

---

Manchester United transfer news: Paul Pogba's wage demands 'could block' potential Real Madrid switch by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 22 Apr Real Madrid are reluctant to match Paul Pogba's wage demands because it could upset other big earners like Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, reports claim.
Paul Pogba's salary demands 'could be an issue in Real Madrid

---

Where La Liga title chasers Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla and Real Madrid must strengthen in the January transfer window Bernabéu can't be fixed in a
Where La Liga title chasers Atletico Madrid, Barcelona

---

Netherlands vs England Uefa Nations League Finals 2019 Venue: Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimaraes It is time for England fans to start dreaming of summer glory once again as they begin their

---

Izzy Brown plays for first time in 10 months as Leeds United

---

← Watford 2-1 Crystal Palace: Hornets Twitter account trolls Palace after 'Groundhog Day' in FA Cup win; Aaron Ramsey: Peter Crouch slams Arsenal's transfer policy saying the Gunners will struggle to replace star man →
Crystal Palace player ratings vs Watford: Guaita struggles as

---