Kevin Campbell: No goalkeeper debate at Everton because the defence are so bad
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Jordan Pickford can’t be to blame for the poor form at Everton when the defenders in from of him are so “weak” says Kevin Campbell.
The England number one missed the victory over Newcastle, where understudy Asmir Begovic recorded the first league clean sheet in over a month, and has come in for scrutiny of late over his international place.
The former Sunderland keeper has conceded 10 times in his last three Toffees appearances, but ex-Goodison striker Campbell sees his form as irrelevant.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News he said: “There’s every shout about the goalkeeper but we’ve seen Pickford in goal when they’ve played well and got a result. We’ve seen Pickford in goal when they’ve got dumped 4-0, 5-0.
“I don’t think the keeper matters, I think it’s the defence. You can say ‘yeah change the goalkeeper’. I don’t think it matters, if you’re poor defensively, you’re poor. And you’re gonna lose.
“Crystal Palace didn’t have to play to their capacity to win that game [20 March] and that’s the problem.
“The problem isn’t the goalkeeper, although I thought Pickford could have done better with one.
“I still think it’s the defence, and the centre backs have to be a lot stronger than what they’re showing.
“It’s amazing. They show it against Newcastle, and then against Crystal Palace they’re weak. It’s crazy.”
The back line has taken the most criticism during the recent run, with the 5-0 collapse at Tottenham sparking particularly scathing rebukes from all quarters.
It was a similar story at Selhurst Park where a reasonable start soon turned into a heavy defeat.
Pickford is a polarising figure thanks to some high-profile errors, despite being largely an accomplished performer, but any shot-stopper would look isolated if they were so frequently left open by their teammates.
In other Everton news, one Toffee was “rampaging” on international duty.
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