Sky Sports pundit defends Everton keeper Jordan Pickford for what got him branded ‘disgraceful’
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…
Everton and their keeper Jordan Pickford’s time-wasting tactics are “normal” and it’s the referee’s job to deal with it says Kevin Campbell.
The team and the player have been on the receiving end of a fair amount of criticism of late for what Jamie Carragher called “antics”, with fellow Monday Night Football pundit Roy Keane saying Pickford was “disgraceful” in the win over Chelsea (1-0, 1 March).
But Sky Sports colleague Campbell believes that as long as the Toffees are alive in the relegation battle they have to do whatever it takes.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News he said: “Well look, at the end of the day if you’ve got something to hold onto, you take your time about it. You don’t rush.
“But I know that if Everton are done he [Pickford] won’t be doing it. You understand what I mean?
“I think it’s all horses for courses and relevant to how the game is going.
“And look, it’s not the first time these things are happening. Oh my God, this is normal in football.
“It is up to the referee to speed things up, or clamp it down, or book somebody for time wasting and then that will speed things up.
“But I don’t think he’s doing anything that any other keeper doesn’t do, if I’m honest with you.
“Everton are fighting for their lives, so if you can change up for a few seconds here and there, against a Chelsea who are starting to turn it on, that’s what you do. Give yourselves a respite.”
Even Keane acknowledged he understood why it was happening, and fans of any club in Everton’s predicament would expect nothing less from their players.
But in big games against Liverpool and Chelsea Frank Lampard’s instructions have drawn criticism.
A belatedly street-wise side have given themselves a chance of survival with their performances in recent weeks, and if frustrating opponents by taking their time is the way to do it then Toffees fans will hope to see more of it at Leicester on Sunday (8 May).
In other Everton news, Paul Merson makes big Everton prediction based on what he’s seen at a place he used to “dread”.
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