Everton have not had much to cheer about in recent years, yet a few heroes have been forged.
The likes of Seamus Coleman, Richarlison and Jordan Pickford have all stepped up amidst relegation troubles to cement that status at Goodison Park, with it being widely acknowledged that, as stalwarts of the club, they deserve better.
And yet, they never really get their flowers, with the latter in particular coming under scrutiny from those less informed about his perceived theatrics which they feel hinder the team.
Evertonians laugh off that notion, but now Michael Ball has actually sought to support it after Monday night’s game.
What Michael Ball said about Jordan Pickford
Writing for the Liverpool ECHO, the former Everton ace pulled no punches in his assessment of the shot-stopper: ‘If I was playing with Pickford, I don’t know what I would do. His erratic behaviour makes the fans and his own team-mates nervous.
‘He asks an outfield player for the ball some 20 yards outside his area. If I’m an outfield player, I’ll tell him where to go and say ‘you just concentrate on stopping shots, that’s your job, trust the midfielder to make something happen.’
‘We don’t need him making things unnecessarily difficult for us and making us anxious. ‘
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He then went on to claim: ‘When you’re searching for inspiration on the pitch, you look to your leaders. Tarkowski is our leader when captain Seamus Coleman isn’t playing and he goes about things the right way.
‘He discusses matters and explains to players what he wants them to do but others need to step up. I’d rather that he tell Pickford where to go, to get back, get away from it and trust us to do the job.
‘If we need you, then you can help us but you can’t be our first option. You’re a goalie for a reason so stay in your box.’
Everton are too reliant on Jordan Pickford
Whilst Ball does make a good point about the outfield players always looking for Pickford, there is good reason for that.
After all, and rather depressingly, the 29-year-old is arguably one of the best passers at the club, with his left foot boasting enough power and precision to locate players way up the pitch.
On Monday there was a sad reliance on going long, with the centre-backs and full-backs clearly encouraged to do so.
However, it is certainly clear that the direction and weight of Pickford’s distribution is far better than any of the back four.
So why shouldn’t he demand the ball, if the only plan is to pump it forward with a bit of accuracy?
The style is hardly pretty on the eye, but it has proven effective throughout a campaign in which Everton would sit 12th if not for their ten-point deduction. But if Sean Dyche is insistent on it, then his £30m goalkeeper should play a huge role.
After all, if not for him they have very few playmakers within their backline, and a midfield that is terrified to come and ask for the ball.
