Saikat Mandal

Thu 20 January 2022 11:23, UK

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has shared details of training under Duncan Ferguson ahead of their Premier League clash against Aston Villa.

Ferguson has been appointed as the caretaker boss following the sacking of Rafa Benitez.

The Toffees are in the process of appointing their next permanent manager, but the players are fully focused on their next game.

Pickford has suggested that the training is “high intensity”, but at the same time, it is “fun” as well. He has also vowed that the players will do everything that the manager wants from them.

“Training has been brilliant, everyone respects him and he is the ideal person to lead us out on Saturday,” said Pickford to Everton Tv.

“The respect the players have for him, we will work our socks off for him and do everything he wants on the pitch.

“He will make sure we are hard to beat but will want us to get the ball in the box and create opportunities. Training is fun but always high intensity and hard work.”

Feel good factor

Appointing Ferguson as a caretaker boss was the right decision.

Under Benitez, the results were not only poor, but the atmosphere was getting toxic.

Ferguson is a legendary figure at the club, and he commands the respect of the players. He can get the Goodison Park bouncing against Villa.

More than tactics and philosophy, Everton players seem to be enjoying the training for a while.

Under the Spaniard, there was always pressure and tension.

Everton managed just one win in their last 13 Premier League games, but there’s still a lot of time left to salvage their season.

In all probability, Ferguson will be there for the short-term role, but if the results do improve under him, the club can take time to hire someone permanently.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper has been an epitome of consistency this season for the Toffees, but without a collective effort, the results won’t improve.

In other Everton news, this former Goodison man had a clear reaction to this big move at the club.