Pickford plays in England win

Be grateful he plays for us.

As he overcomes his errors of inexperience, I think he'll lock up the job for years to come. Has talent that Butland can't even dream of. As for Hart... lordy. No hope.

Despite the mistakes he's made this season, which should be expected of any young keeper still learning their trade, he's been a ray of hope in an otherwise pretty grim season.

Try to flatten VVD also.

Mike Gaynes is correct as usual.

As for England FC, who cares? And I'm English.

Where was Southall at 24?

Well done, Jordan – bring some of that experience back with you.

I think he has a good chance of being the starting keeper this Summer in Russia. England will limp into the Second round / Quarter finals before being knocked out anyway. (Yes, I am English, but haven't enthused about the national team since the 90s!)

Overall, I don't think many Evertonians would straight swap him for any of the other three. Pickford has the best chance of all of them of becoming a world class keeper.

For what it's worth, I agree with those who say he has much to learn but is certainly the best of a good bunch!

One thing for sure is he'll get plenty of action with the overpaid wank in front of him.

As good as I've seen with shots low down, but shots past either shoulder catch him out, he needs to start moving his feet more. He'll be top class then.

Dean Saunders told an interesting tale about big Nev recently. Apparently, the Welsh boys were practicing their shooting and they realised the big fella was not saving anything with his hands, he was getting his chest, head or anything behind nearly everything.

The welsh players thought this was Nev having one of his "eccentric" moments. He later explained that he would often do it at club level in order to make him move his feet faster.

Take note, young Jordan. If it's good enough for Nev....

There were politicians on various platforms this week, seeking assurances from FIFA etc that England fans would be safe in Russia when attending the World Cup. Perhaps, those involved in such anti-social behaviour as you mention, should be forced to attend the World Cup in Russia.

Turkey v Republic of Ireland recap

Either way, this can only be good for Everton because he is getting experience in front of an international back four which should help his development.

A big opportunity to establish himself for the World Cup. I wish him the best of luck.

On a slightly different topic, I'm not a man prone to violence but, as I'm watching this crap (god knows why), I really wouldn't get tired of slapping that Jordan Henderson. His whole demeanour just goes right through me. Whoever said he was a good footballer? The mind boggles... and by 'demeanour', I mean his style of play and the faux hardman impression. Please!

Yes, England have some good players but, when the Premier League is inundated with foreign players, many of England's so-called best are forced to play second fiddle. How many of Southgate's faves are actually benchwarmers most weeks?

The starting eleven today was unbelievable and I cannot understand what Southgate's thinking is.

Southgate said he was very pleased with Jordan's performance. Especially with his passing to get moves started, made even more vital with three at the back.

A prime example being starting the move on the right wing for the goal. Butland is very average (highlighted this last Saturday.) Hart is just shite.

Biased? probably, but it's our lad every time for me.

I swear they hate Everton FC and anybody associated with us.

England are bog-standard compared to the world's top ten countries so, to me, the need to employ a 'keeper such as Jordan, with a more than passing acquaintance at dealing with matches where we're under the cosh, is eminently sensible.

On the other hand, we've seen first-hand what a good keeper he is and one of the few with a consistently good attitude. I'm happy for the lad to get the game time and I think he'd do well at the tournament. My only concern is how quickly the press will round on him but that is his problem as a pro.

“Pickford was given a big opportunity to strengthen his claim to be England's first-choice keeper at the World Cup when he was given the starting place in Amsterdam.

And, despite one or two anxious moments, the Everton keeper can be happy with a clean sheet to make it no goals conceded in his two England appearances.

Pickford – signed by Koeman for 㿊m from Sunderland in the summer – did well to sense danger and plunge at the feet of Quincy Promes when he threatened, and also showed safe handling to save from Memphis Depay. He also snuffed out late danger with a confident claim of a cross into his area.

That said, he was uncomfortable coming for a corner that allowed Bas Dost to get in a free header in the first half and was caught in possession by the giant striker as he shaped to clear.

Pickford was, however, very comfortable with the ball at his feet on other occasions, even happy to receive the ball right on his goalline from Stones.

Whether he has advanced his cause to start in Russia even further remains to be seen as Southgate explores his options, but he certainly did his hopes no harm.”

Pickford is easily in the top 10 Everton goalies of all time already, which is a shame.

I sometimes wonder, is Pickford too young for that position with England ? Experience counts for something, although I don't doubt his ability and he'll improve.

My worry is Russia coming too soon and denting his confidence when we inevitably lose out but I guess it has to happen sometime.

In reality, it's a toss-up but Southgate seems a Yes-man – with Henderson being one of the first names on the teamsheet just about summing him up, imo.

Pickford has been a positive in a season of mostly negatives.

Pickford looked solid. I think he's been a decent 7 out 10 for us this season and still has plenty of room to improve. I think he must be Southgate's first choice given the paucity of options...

I remember the iconic image of Brian Labone slapping his thighs after the third and decisive goal in the Quarters debacle against West Germany, musing no doubt that his big mate Westy would have saved the day rather than the hopeless clown, Bonetti, who was found seriously wanting.

We have had some barmy keepers here over the years. Westy and Nev and even Dai Davies was a leek or two short of a decent soup.

Anyway, I hope Pickford represents our club as well as he can, if selected. Nil goals conceded in two Internationals is a good start.

Jack Butland, possibly heading for the hated reds once Stoke end up back in the Championship, probably is the favoured No 1. Maybe his likely destination is the reason for that coveted honour.

As to the match last night, I found it bizarre that Rashford and Sterling avoided any serious criticism despite turning up for crosses about half an hour after the wingers had got in a position to give them the ball, they were dreadful.

However, what I did feel that the biggest loss Everton has suffered in recent years was the departure of John Stones. As he gains more experience and his judgement improves, he is going to be a world class central defender. He is now starting to generate a feeling of having all the time in the world no matter what's rushing at him.

On the other hand, the defenders were excellent and Pickford having a good game picking passes and switching play. Only Hoddle seemed to notice his contribution, but the rest obviously want Butland as Number 1 – not to mention Henderson, who isn't a patch on Shelvey.

In my opinion, he's not a patch on Pickford, who I think deserves to start for England in the world cup. However it seems you only have to play for the RS to be guaranteed a starting place in the England team.

Look at Oxlade-Chamberlain. Hardly got a look-in with England when he played for Arsenal. Now he's practically an automatic starter. Also surely there must be a better centre-back than Joe Gomez who could well start in the first World Cup game? And as for Jordan Henderson, don't make me laugh. I can't believe he gets a starting place for England, never mind being captain.

The anti-Liverpool bitterness, based on unsubstantiated transfer rumours, is as embarrassing as it is misplaced.

And as for the unsubstantiated transfer rumours, which I assume you mean regarding Butland, then it's a well known fact that the RS are more than likely going to bid for him.

As for Butland, I don't really watch other teams, but he did seem to be having a bit of a mare the other week on MotD. Maybe Pickford will be... picked. Great for him if he does.

Well said on both threads. I agree re Pickford on judgement coming off his line but would also add poor distribution from his kicks and his tendency to parry the ball back into play rather than around the post for a corner (although this has improved in recent games).

I agree that Pickford does sometimes parry the ball out infield when he should be catching or turning behind but he has improved recently in this respect. He must now learn when to come for the ball (the goal conceded at Stoke was criminal). When he does this, he will be a very good goalkeeper and a fixture for England. He has carried Everton this season.

Centre-halves don't really reach their peak until mid-twenties. I used to wince when people would claim on here that it was great business to sell him, bring in Williams, and bank the difference.

The Philistines who were screaming at him for being the odd man out – he wanted to play – won't get it. They wanted a steady centre-half.... like Williams

He started the hoofing under Koemann. Let's not give Big Sam credit for everything. He is well able to take credit himself when we win and blame the players when we lose.

We need to improve dramatically next season to keep Jordan from being poached. If we are 7th and Man City offer £60M and to double his wages, we will struggle to keep him.

Playing short goal kicks and playing out from the back, is exactly what Pep prefers, as well as a goalkeeper having the confidence to dribble past an oncoming attacker, something which Pickford demonstrated on Friday night. There are some on this thread who think Butland is well more than capable of doing this.

However, I disagree as not only is Pickford a better shot-stopper than Butland, but is also a better distributor of the ball, which was amicably demonstrated on Friday night, something which I've never seen Butland do. Okay, Butland may command his penalty area better than Pickford, but given time he will improve on this.

Overall, in my opinion, Pickford is the much better goalkeeper, and deserves the shirt at the forthcoming World Cup.

We are too far down the food chain at the moment for my liking.