Everton bring keeper Olsen in loan

Seems the echo and other sources are confirming it on Twitter.

Very underwhelming. But I'll certainly trust in Carlo Ancelotti and Marcel Brands' judgement on this one.

CDT - "Olsen is and has been definitively on the chopping block for nearly 18 months now, while Lopez is currently in a state of limbo. But, to be honest, they’re both there for the same reason: they’re passive and error-prone keepers, both of whom lost their jobs to Antonio Mirante, who is really nothing more than a solid journeyman type of keeper. Olsen cuts a much larger figure and uses his massive limbs/reach pretty well, but was just too slow off his line and not really quick enough in distribution. Couple that with a few glaring errors in critical matches and you have Roma’s current predicament: two decidedly average keepers that have been incredibly difficult to offload."

"[Olsen] started off well enough in 2018 and even got a cleansheet on his debut, but the wheels fell off almost immediately: he conceded 15 goals over his next six matches and finished with 58 goals conceded in 35 appearances in 2018-2019. He really does use his massive frame to his advantage, but in the end, he’s just too passive and slow to suit Roma’s build-from-the-back approach."

"He is a massive, massive keeper but, at least based on advanced metrics, he’s decidedly middling when it comes to shot-stopping and even claiming crosses. It’s possible that he might find more success in a different league, but he wasn’t up to snuff in Serie A for some reason. And leadership... eh, not so much in Rome; he struggled to communicate with Roma’s defenders, who were largely Italian, so perhaps if his English is stronger than his Italian he’ll have better luck."

Martin, he was certainly a top keeper at the World Cup for Sweden. Let's hope that the Olsen we meet and not the one who's been knocking around Serie A.

I think we tried to bring in competition at GK but were unwilling to shell out on a big wage or fee. Reassess in January I think. Hopefully Pickford sorts himself out.

Glad Bernard didn't go the other way, I like the fella and think he can contribute this season, if used correctly.

Martin Berry, the "built for the English game" comments refer to the traditional Italian style of football. Remember Per Koldrup? David Moyes was nothing if not meticulous in his homework on potential transfers, which is why he got the nickname "Dithering Davey" on here. So, it was an insight into Italian football that Moyes never picked up on how bad Koldrup was at heading the ball. It's simply not part of Italian football. Sure, there's plenty of headers and goals from corners and the like, but aerial duels in Italy are nothing like they are here.

So the hope is, surely, that this massive keeper's strengths are under-recognised and under-utilised in a league where the play is more technical. Perhaps once he starts playing for us, he will show his ability on crosses and command of his area, soak in the confidence flowing through the team and produce his best football?

Wishful thinking for sure, because whenever I've seen him, he's mostly just been picking the ball out of the net.

In Carlo I trust, he has been pretty good so far!

In the end, just another guy spouting an opinion on a player. Olsen just can't have the routine case of the jitters like Pickford.

I'll preface this next with an acknowledgement that it's a bit American to American, yet all Evertonian to Evertonian. I'd love to knock 10 years off Tim Howard's age and have him backstop this Everton Team.

In his autobiography, former Man Utd coach and Man City goalkeeper, Tony Coton had to say this: Link

Tim Howard, at 27 years of age, turned his career around. Is it possible for 26 year old Jordan Pickford to do the same?

Perhaps another signing that Carlo Ancelotti could still make is to employ a top class goalkeeping coach. Let's not forget that the highly regarded Hugo Oliveira left with Marco Silva. Hugo was with Marco Silva throughout his 3-year spell in England, but he was not with him in Portugal or Greece. Instead, Hugo was at Benfica where he was responsible for bringing through Ederson (now of Man City) and Jan Oblak (now of Atletico Madrid).

Everton's current goalkeeping coach is Alan Kelly. Alan Kelly played for Preston North End, Sheffield United (in the PL in the '90s) and Blackburn Rovers. Following his retirement he worked in soccer camps in the USA, before joining PNE as a youth coach where he met David Unsworth.

When Unsworth took over from Koeman, and Patrick Lodewijks had departed with his fellow Dutchman, Unsworth brought in his old mate Kelly as a temporary coach. After Allardyce came in he appointed his old mate, and long time collaborator Martyn Margetson to the role. For some reason, Unsworth was allowed to keep Kelly in a job as an U23 goalkeeper coach after dropping back down to the U23s.

Then after Allardyce and co cleared out, Silva brought in Hugo Oliveira with him from Watford. After Silva left, so did all of his staff. So when Duncan was caretaker he appointed Jeffers and Ebbrell as coaches and promoted Alan Kelly to goalkeeper coach.

Carlo Ancelotti brought in very few actual coaches. Just his son and a couple of fitness coaches. Alan Kelly has remained firmly in place as goalkeeper coach.

I have no idea how good Alan Kelly is at his job. Carlo Ancelotti is a very good judge of character. Clearly he rates him, or he would not still be in a job almost a year later. I just wonder though, with the severe dip in form of Pickford, the inability of Lossl to show any ability to lay down a marker in any of the games that he's played and for the very highly rated, U19 European Champion Joao Virginia to still have not made a significant breakthrough, whether it is possible that Alan Kelly is not up to the job and that Carlo Ancelotti might want someone else to bring Pickford back to his best?

How many keepers do we need? Can we play two at a time? Someone steer me as to the thinking behind this because I only see more salary expense.

We might as well have kept the Stek, who did a solid enough job.

Why the hell are we paying Lössl £53k a week for if he's not going to play?????

There's a load of Championship clubs who got off to a bad start who might fancy a keeper with Premier League experience (at Huddersfield rather than us). Virginia is now 20 and should be more mature and capable to step out on loan now.

For that matter, there's still time to get Bolasie, Besic, and Baningime off on loan to Championship (or lower) clubs.

Karl Masters, I read he's on £25k a week. He was on a low wage at Huddersfield and did nothing to justify a big wage here.

Thank you. What appeared on the surface to make no sense to this dullard now is clear.

Bring in a Zen Buddhist monk to work with him, anything. The keeper should be the calmest player on the pitch, not a frenetic hamster who would die if he had to keep still for 5 seconds.

There are other Championship strikers we could look at as backups, but King makes perfect sense -- pacy, ridiculously hardworking, experienced, a decent scoring record (50 in 171 games isn't terrible), and clearly wants out.

WBA and Villa are reported in for him too, and Bournemouth reportedly turned down a bid from Torino this morning, so we oughta move on him quick-like if we're gonna.

Personally, I'm glad Bernard is still around -- I still think he's gonna win us a big game this season -- and that we haven't given up on Kean.

Yes, I can't stand our obnoxious neighbours but I think Man Utd are worse they act like you are a good friend whilst stabbing you in the back.

Which is fine by me. I don't seriously expect him to take Pickford's place though.

Download a £5.99 meditation app for Pickford and we could save £20-30m on a new keeper.

Conversely, if any rival Club offers us a player, why would we take them up on it?

Romero was worth us asking United the question - they put the block on it for a reason.

Anyway - let’s look on the bright side - Olsen might be the business. We won’t know until he gets a game.

Typical Everton to win 7 in 7. Typical Everton to follow their manager's convictions and sign the players he wanted. Typical Everton to have made the 2 best signings of the window in Allan and James? Typical Everton to have given the fan base so much hope and optimism?

What is typical Everton is fans thinking they know best and slating the club and players at every opportunity! How many times have we seen Olsen play? 2/3 I would guess with most of us. Carlo would have seen him loads in Italy. There will be a reason Carlo went for him instead of Romero. I think he has proven he is untypical Everton and a winner.

Why don't we do what Everton have done, and trust the manager?

However, although many have questioned this guy's ability, just the presence of a big, calm goalkeeper might just help to settle the defence down.

Have they even got any idea if he's any good?

Seems unbelievably odd to me.

Pickford was the best keeper at the last World Cup, imo. He's made a few errors but, as yet this season, they have only cost goals, not points. He made two very good saves at Spurs which contributed to a fine away win.

It's his dealing with crosses and commanding his area that worry me. Corners and anything thrown into the box, he seems to struggle, I would like to see him look to catch rather than punch crosses away.

Let's back him and hope he has lots of improvement in him. I'm sure he is probably his own biggest critic and, until he costs us, stick with him as Romero and the like are certainly not way above.

I think Romero is out of contract in June so it could be we sign him on a free, giving him a 2- or 3-year contract to be our solid back up keeper.

It will be interesting to see if Olsen can step up his game and provide realistic competition. He may not be world class but he could offer better stability than Jordan if he is up for it.

On the other hand, Pickford could be forced to get his act together and improve.

We are not buying a keeper who replaces Pickford. The squad was strengthened, to replace Pickford, we are going to need to spend the next year lining people up and buying a replacement rather than a panic-buy keeper.

Olsen looks no great shakes. Very big but not great at crosses and not super mobile. Reminds me a bit of Begovic.

He was really bad at Roma. He was also not good in his last season at Copenhagen. But he was actually pretty good at Cagliari on loan last season so maybe there's some hope.

Will be interesting to see if he's given a shot after Pickfords next howler.

Those who've seen my constant Pickford bashing will know that I refer alot to save percentage. And a bit to xG, as in how many saves keepers makes compared to what they 'should' save.

Olsen's career save percentage is 73%, which is about 6% higher than Pickfords.

And also an encouraging article here: Link

Which shows that halfway through last season Olsen had some of the best stats in Europe for keeping out shots that might be expected to go in; ie he was conceeding less goals than would be expected given the xg.

His concentration is wavering and his confidence is shot.

But I'd stick with him hoping he rides this out and comes back as the keeper I think he can be.

He's had a poor time for quite some time but there's quality in him and some unbelievable reflexes.

If they can help him mentally with a sports psychiatrist then I think he will recover and improve drastically.

We need to back the lad not crucify him. We are after all meant to be supporters. (Even of supposed lost causes).

Flak jacket on.

Over to you, Carlo...

I still think we dodged a bullet on Romero. He'd have been on big money and would be nothing more than expensive backup. This fella won't even be on a third of Romero's wages.

With the impending departures this summer, I hope Brands is able to identify and secure a top-class keeper to take us to the next level, particularly for what is likely to be a European campaign of some sort (touch wood but remember there's the new European Conference - a bit like the Johnson's Paint Trophy for midtable clubs like us).

Sam #64, we didn't get Romero 'cos Man Utd see us as a challenge to the top four, which is good news and it means we won't be getting any more of their cast-offs like Smalling.

Let's see what happens. But I'm a little worried we are short up top. Sure Richarlison is a good alternative to Calvert-Lewin, but if he's already on the pitch, then he can't offer fresh legs.

If we don't sign anyone, it'll be very interesting to see how Carlo keeps us fresh. He's often pulled Calvert-Lewin off with a few minutes to go, so without Kean, it'll be interesting to see who he now turns to.

I take no pleasure from the fact that many of my dtractors have come to agree with me. I have willed him to prove me wrong. I still will be more than happy to eat my words if Pickford can eradicate these defects in his game and find the necessary level of consistency at the highest level, which is after all, what the whole team is aiming for.

We have brought in Olsen, the man is already gathering statistical criticism from ToffeeWebbers before he has pulled a jersey on for us! Personally, I would throw him straight in against Liverpool, a baptism of fire. But whichever goalkeeper Carlo chooses for the derby, be it Pickford, Olsen, Lössl or Virginia, I for one will be right behind them.

With Pickford's litany of gaffes continuing into this season and the whole nation trembling at the idea of him representing England his career at the top flight is essentially finished.

Only a matter of time before he is turning out for Hartlepool.

We'll have to differ on Romero. I think he'd have had a really good chance of taking the gloves permanently from Pickford which might have saved us searching for a new goalkeeper next summer.

Understand if Carlo persists with Pickford though. It's a big call to drop the keeper who went into the season as the No 1.

Remember when Burnley dropped Joe Hart and it turned their season around? Imagine what a solid keeper would bring to this setup. It could be the difference between a decent season and a great one.

Donnarumma won’t be sitting on our bench if he comes.

Anyway, he looks like an upgrade on Lössl and this looks like the best we could get, considering we didn't want to (or could) buy a better option outright.

Good analysis from Martin which leads me to question your hopeful conclusion: “He was certainly a top keeper at the World Cup for Sweden. Let's hope that the Olsen we meet and not the one who's been knocking around Serie A.“

I think we signed Besic on the same basis and look what happened there.

I guess he's a better standard of cover than already available and at the end of the season, Carlo will pull a star keeper out of his magic hat – if we are really challenging for honours this is the most important position to fill.

Apologies for the error - I mistook Martin as the author of the blog Mike provided. As the edit button seems to have disappeared, it was too late to change.

Has the edit button gone for good or is it just me?

On Pickford, there's something not right about him. I used to attribute it to him being just not very bright. One of my mates feels he is markedly autistic. Whatever it is, he has to be replaced and Everton should have bought a top quality replacement.

Personally I just feel he is arrogant and isn't very good, not very likeable and not the keeper Big Nev claims he is. He gives no confidence to defenders for fans. The look Mina gave him on Saturday speaks volumes.

I'm quite sure we have midfielders who have lost or given the ball away that has lead to an attack for the opponents, you don't drop them when it happens. Defenders also make mistakes, it happens.

I would have been much more likely to give the understudy a chance last season but after 4 games? If it's still happening after 15 to 20 games, then it would seem necessary.

Keep the Pickford debate to his abilities as a goalkeeper rather then pretending to be online medics and psychologists.

Big Nev still supporting him, saying he has had 3 bad minutes (if that) in six months.

Big Nev Defends Pickford

Can and should he do better? Absolutely.

Does he have enough pressure on him for his place if he performs badly? IMO, no. Lössl and Virginia don't provide that.

I know the grand sum of zero about our new recruit Olsen and the only YouTube video I've seen of him is the one provided by Frank Wade above. And in that there were some excellent saves.

My belief is Pickford's form will have to fall off a cliff or he gets injured before Olsen plays ahead of him and that Jordan will continue to be our Number 1 this season.

What Carlo and Marcel decide in the transfer window of 2021, based on Jordan's form, might be a different story.

I agree with your basic point, that Pickford's problems are in the mind, rather than any lack of natural ability.

At risk of boring everybody, can I quote for the umpteenth time, and apply to Jordan Pickford, the words of the Australian cricket coach about Mark Ramprakash [a batsman of supreme ability who couldn't sort his head out]:

.... "A young man afflicted with talent..."!

I'll take their word for it, over the opinions of his arrogance from people who may never have met him.

As to any issues of autism, I've got no ideas.

After years of watching Gordon West, I've got a high tolerance of mercurial goalkeepers. He got dropped several times for poor form, was suspect on crosses according to his manager, got sent off for thumping a centre-forward, giving away a penalty that cost us the match. He also got involved with the crowd, in altercations more than once. He is an Everton great in many eyes including mine, although he was playing in several great Everton teams for most of his career.

Jordan will hopefully experience something like that now. But, if his form continues to be erratic and he costs us points, I'm sure Carlo will drop him – and rightly so.

Thank God someone shares my concern about the economics of all this. Our squad is still bloated. I have no idea how we’re paying for all of this.

I’ll enjoy the ride, but man-oh-man do we need to get our financials in order! How are we solvent? Our wages to turnover is ridiculous, and it has to change.

It's when we're in a tight game that it's going to be an issue as it could be the difference. I think if we can get Joshua King in within the next 10 days as well, then what a window we would have had.

I'm using Safari on an iPad, so that may explain the loss of the edit function.

Probably one for the webmaster during the international break while Pickford and Olsen try to impress for their respective countries.

Luke Garbutt, Oumar Niasse, Cuco Martina, Morgan Schneiderlin, Leighton Baines, Maarten Stekelenburg, Kieran Dowell, Lewis Gibson, Moise Kean, Sandro and Walcott.

Also. FFP has been suspended, so gives Everton a chance to get their finances in better shape. By which time we can get Bolasie and a few others off our books.

As for not costing us points? Ridiculous argument, that's only because the lads at the other end are doing the business! If we were to miss out on top four on goal difference because he's thrown five in, then it darn well matters!

I don't know anything about Olsen. I'll judge him on when I see him. I don't think we'll be waiting long. Pickford appears to me an honest, hard-working player with ability. He also makes too many basic unforced errors. That suggests to me that he can't sustain the level of competence we need. Whether his issues are technical/mental is one for the coaches.

All players at this level have ability. It's all about how consistently they're effective.

It saddens me that some supporters give certain Everton players stick based on performances, but what saddens me more, is that they are inclined to treat newcomers who have yet to wear the Everton strip, with scorn and derision.

I appreciate that we are all different in our approach to all things "Everton", but I will base my opinion on the new recruits when I next take up my position in the Park End, whenever that may be.

Yes, they are all prone to making a mistake who isn't, but the very good ones usually make the fewest. Top keepers give their defenders confidence which usually makes the whole defensive unit more solid.

You have to wonder where this leaves Lössl as even Virginia played in the Caraboa Cup which is hardly great if you are supposed to be the backup keeper. I don't know why we didn't leave him on his loan spell with Huddersfield they seemed happy to have him and he seemed happy enough to stay there.

Maybe they might come back in for him in what's left of the window, as there appears to be no future in him staying with us.

Keeley took the rap, 35 minutes with Everton and that was that. He played hundreds of games for Blackburn, a very competent centre half and captain but Howard thought he knew best.

He got rid of Mickey Thomas later on because he demanded a game after being out for a couple of weeks. Kendall told him he wasn't match fit. Maybe he had learned from the Glenn Keeley affair.

Oi, Barry #71, Hartlepool are my second team!

Personally I was overjoyed at James, Allan and Doucoure (not to mention Nkoukou and Brandthwaite) and did not expect any more due to finances but we have brought in a top CB and GK cover as a bonus.

I think it is all part of a plan because no top class keeper was available and hopefully in the summer we might be in for Donarumma or at least that standard.

As I said originally, Carlo is no mug and if he's happy with him, then it's for good reason. But if Pickford is to be our number one and has suffered a prolonged crisis of form, then one of the cheaper things to try is replace the coach and see if someone else can get more out of Pickford, because for the last 9 months under Kelly, Pickford has gone markedly backwards.

It doesn't matter about the coaches playing credentials. But Alan Kelly was not a highly regarded coach, he got the gig at Everton because he was out of work at the time and was mates with Unsworth, not because he was a top coach. With Pickford in need of help, we should really go out and get the best coach we can. But again, Carlo is no mug.

We've played 7, won 7. That's an "ideal world" to me.

I think changing keepers at this point -- especially to an untried newcomer who isn't exactly widely admired -- would be lunacy.

Also you have to back Carlo's judgement which along with Marcels has been rather good of late.

So let's give the lad a chance and a big welcome.

I wish him all the best, of course... some goalkeepers mature after 30. I truly hope he is one of them.

My mate, who was a decent non-league keeper, said he watched Karius getting warmed up by John Achteberg before the Champions League Final, and said he wasn't surprised the kid played so badly after witnessing something he described as a third rate workout, and this just before the biggest match of his life.

Jay@106, it's a sad fact. I may be underwhelmed by Olsen but I think we've had a fantastic window, bringing in serious players who have hit the ground running for relatively average sums.

Robin Olsen is better in Pickford in dominating the air around the goal on corners etc. He is also a very good shot-stopper. He is also, I think, better in positioning compared to Pickford, who is constantly out doing weird stuff.

Also Olsen is not doing so many freakshows as Pickford. He does not make as many blunders.

Pickford is supposed to be better on his feet, passing etc. However, personally, I think he is overrated at this as he is frequently misplacing passes. Also, he starts the game too often with long balls leading to absolutely nothing. This has improved since I believe that Ancelotti has told him to stop doing this too often as the only thing it leads to is to give away the ball.

Olsen does not fit in the profile of a modern goalkeeper that can pass like Allison, but neither do Pickford fit into this profile, as he makes too many mistakes.

Olsen can be a good option, especially against teams hoofing balls into our penalty area.

Frank Wade's YouTube video on Olsen backs up a lot of what you say.

Two things, from what we have been told Olsen commands his box by coming out and catching using his 6ft 5in frame. The goals that have been scored against Everton this season have either been Pickford errors or shots from outside the box and one set-piece corner. Not one of the outside the box shots was in the top unsaveable corner, so maybe a keeper with longer arms has entered Carlo's mind as well.

Up front losing Kean could be a blow if we have any injuries between now and the January window. By then Tosun will be back and Carlo may have two thoughts, use him as back up or sell him to raise funds for someone he really fancies.

Last season we took the centre back gamble and it paid off because Holgate stepped up to the plate, here's hoping the same happens up front this time.

I saw an article on the Red Echo site yesterday discussing our supposed interest in the Polish guy and Lorente. Their reporter indicated it was unlikely we were that interested and intimated Carlo and Brands would be happy to turn to Ellis Simms in an emergency.

When I went back to the article, it was somewhat changed and the bit about Simms removed.

Save every shot, never put it out for a throw-in, don't faff around at the back even if you've been instructed to do so by the management, claim every ball that gets launched into the area, if you can't claim it cleanly, ensure that the punch-out finds an Everton player in space and never ever, under any circumstances concede a goal.

Phew! I wonder where we'll find Mr Perfect? How much would he cost and which club would be fool enough to sell him?

After that, it's down to Pickford to get his act together.

That's all we want as fans, a keeper who makes the saves he should do, one that knows when to put their foot through the ball and one that come and claim a cross. Also, ideally, one that can communicate with the defence.

I'd say it's pretty standard things that we'd expect from a keeper.

What we need to know is can he do the simple things well? Can he catch a ball when under no pressure? Can he push the ball to safety rather than back into the danger area? Can he dominate his penalty area and not scare the shit out of his back four?

If he can do that as well as the spectacular stuff, then he will do for me.

Any Basques out there want to agree with me?

I think we've found our Stan Laurel.

My hunch says Carlo, will play him but it will be his last chance to retain his place. The stakes are big and rightfully, we are trying to consolidate their position in the league.

But good competition is healthy, but I've not seen enough of Olsen to pass comment on his abilities.

I recall the 2018 World Cup game when Sweden played Germany, and I recall he made a few decent saves.

Perhaps the shadow looming will drive Jordon Pickford, to rake stock and refocus, and fight for his position.

Here's to an injury-free international window, and return to full fitness of our injured players.

I find it hard to judge keepers. Lots of spectacular shot-stoppers - but very few with that commanding presence. And very few also with presence, agility and the ability to use their feet which is a vital part of the game for a big club now.

When they have this combination then games often go by without noticing them. I'll happily bow to your knowledge on Simon but will look out for him.

Olsen: I have come to Everton to win

Why Olsen Signing is Good For Pickford

Donnarruma
Unai Simon
Strakosha
Dragowski
Walter Benitez
Dean Henderson
Onana
Larsonneur
Nubel
Maignan
Casteels

And one who I think is very underrated and not oft-talked off is Dubravka. Maybe a bit old and prone to the odd howler but his shot-stopping was phenomenal last season.

I wondered whether we might get Benitez over this summer because he was out of contract at Nice but re-signed.

That's a summer 2021 issue now though, pleasingly.

Interesting times!

Is Olsen to better Andy Rankin (a very good goalie in my opinion) as worthwhile competition to make Westy the legend we remember? Because those of who we there well recall Westy's wobbly moments in the late '60s. But by 1970 he was the equal of Banksy, and that's what we need now.

THE BEST!

Absolutely finished. What if's everywhere come May. He could have Maldini and Baresi in front of him. He would still kill off the unreal belief and start the lads have made. What a fucking shame.

His distribution was good and was more focused (he always is for England) but this guy stood out for me. Commanding and steady.

Swedes 2 Turnips 1

Flapping at crosses, giving V-signs to the crowd for moaning at his mistakes – totally lost the plot. Got dropped the next game – because we had a decent replacement.

And so would Pickford.

Robin Olsen signing good news for Jordan Pickford - Robert Green analysis

I think it shows that there is still a belief at the club that Pickford can turn it around but there was a need for a solid alternative. If there is no change by end of season he will be replaced.

Personally I have doubts he will recover his early form, but given the investment in midfield there are probably wasn't the money to do anything about it this year. Or a standout available alternative that we could actually sign.

There's a lot of 'talk it up' positivity going on within the club right now, which is what the club needs. I hope none of the players and staff read this thread because it is so full of negative comment, it is embarrassing.

I still think it was a mistake to play Pickford in the EFL Cup games, where he made a few mistakes and looked shakey.

It was the only time realistically to try out your number 2 in a competitive game. I know Virginia played the first game but why not keep him in for the 2nd?

Pickford needs to concentrate on the right here, right now, not be thinking about his next move, weather that be distribution or telling your team mates off.

This goes for looking at the ball when kicking it, not looking down the wing at who's available. His main 'additional attribute' of quick feet and excellent distribution is laughable. His kicking and decision making has got to improve.

This can also be said of all the defenders. Against Brighton we made it easy for them to press us in the second half with to many 5 yard backward passes. Where was the alarm bells and urgency to play the ball away from the danger area.

Brighton coughed up a few cheap balls that we took advantage of. We then returned the favour. Thankfully we had a 3 goal lead, but we have to be better than that. Keep the pressure off our back line as much as possible.

Is it time for Roma to replace Robin Olsen?

Seems an odd signing on this basis... unless Carlo knows something nobody else does. Would be interested to know how much involvement he had.

However, if Pickford continues as he is and money is available next season, I can see him going. Hopefully he reads between the lines why his England job is on the line.

Sad to say, so many 'loyalists' don't deserve to have a top table team EVER!