MX23RW : Wednesday, March 27 09:53:12| >> :600:482353:482353:
Mar 22, 2019 at 7.45pm UK at ​Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 82,575
England
5-0
Czech Republic
Sterling (24', 62', 68'), Kane (45' pen.), Kalas (84' og.)
FT(HT: 2-0)

Jordan Pickford dismisses concerns over form

Pickford dismisses concerns over form
© Reuters
Everton man has been criticised by some over club form.

Jordan Pickford dismissed criticism of his form as the under-fire goalkeeper prepares to start England's Euro 2020 qualifier against Czech Republic.

Having starred during the Three Lions' run to the World Cup semi-finals last summer, things have gone somewhat awry for the Everton shot-stopper this term.

There have even been questions on whether Pickford should remain as England's number one in the wake of the Sunderland fan's error-riddled display in a 3-2 defeat to Newcastle.

Jordan Pickford had a game to forget against Newcastle
Jordan Pickford had a game to forget against Newcastle (Owen Humprheys/PA)

But manager Gareth Southgate Southgate is sticking with the 25-year-old for Friday's Euro 2020 qualifier against the Czechs, which the goalkeeper approaches untroubled by talk surrounding his performances.

"It's great for me," Pickford said after getting the nod.

"I feel like, apart from the Newcastle game, I've been in a good run of form.

"In the Newcastle game, I made a mistake and bounced back with a good performance against Chelsea, so that shows my mentality and my character in myself, and I think that's been good for me.

"The manager has put faith in me to start tomorrow. I've been training well all week as well, so that's good."

Pickford will be hoping to have little to do against the Czechs, whose striker Matej Vydra made headlines by publicly pinpointing defender Harry Maguire as England's weak link.

Pickford was in relaxed mood with the media
Pickford was in relaxed mood with the media (Steven Paston/PA)

"No (I have not seen the comments)," the goalkeeper said.

"I think as a squad we know how good we are and how capable we are of winning games.

"They can say things, but we need to focus on ourselves and get those three points tomorrow. It's all about us and not about their comments.

"It's obviously been four months since we've been with England now, and it's great to come back here and work with the manager and the staff over the next week.

"It's great to be (together) and we always want to improve as a unit and as a squad.

Pickford established himself as England's number one at the World Cup
Pickford established himself as England's number one at the World Cup (Aaron Chown/PA)

"We do that every day on the training pitch and when it comes to game day, we're ready to get the win."

Kicking off Group A with a victory against the Czech Republic has been made tougher by a string of absentees, with Thursday seeing Marcus Rashford become the sixth player to withdraw from the squad.

Jadon Sancho looks set to replace him on Friday but fellow teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi has impressed since being brought in as an injury replacement at the start of the week.

"He's been top drawer in training," Pickford said of the 18-year-old, who has yet to start a league match for Chelsea.

"He's come straight into the side, into the training side, and he's been very good for us, just like Jadon did when he first came into the set-up.

"It's great to see there's a great pathway for the young English lads to come in and have the opportunity."


Click here for more stories about Jordan Pickford

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring during the Nations League game between Spain and England on October 15, 2018
Read Next:
Marcus Rashford ruled out of England qualifiers
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool31237170185276
2Manchester CityMan City30242479215874
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs30201957322561
4Arsenal30186663392460
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd30177658401858
6Chelsea30176750331757
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30128103836244
8Watford30127114244-243
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham31126134146-542
10Leicester CityLeicester31125144043-341
11Everton31117134342140
12Bournemouth31115154356-1338
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3198143140-935
14Crystal Palace3096153641-533
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2996143242-1033
16Southampton3079143450-1630
17Burnley3186173559-2430
18Cardiff CityCardiff3084182757-3028
19Fulham3145222970-4117
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3135231857-3914

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account