BBC pundit reacts as Everton star Jordan Pickford turns on James Tarkowski
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 turned on Everton teammate James Tarkowski during the latest defeat at Bournemouth because the pair care about the current mess, according to Kevin Campbell.
In the words of Jeff Stelling the Toffees keeper “publicly berated” his centre-back after Jaidon Anthony was given the freedom of the penalty area to head the Cherries’ third past him, on a day (12 November) where everything went wrong and the fans turned.
But BBC pundit Campbell is not overly concerned by the anger shown between key players, and would rather see that than silent acceptance of a situation that badly needs work.
“They care. They care”, he said, speaking exclusively to Goodison News.
“They care enough. Normally you see players just not say a word, but they’re having a dig and digging in.
“They do care, nobody can turn round and say that they don’t.
“It was an almighty mistake and Everton got punished. Every mistake they seem to get punished for.
“Sometimes you just have to ride these things out, go into the break, dust yourself down and get grafting again.
“I think that’s what’s going to have to happen.”
The leaders in the Everton squad at least appear to have the right attitude about the worrying slide, as there is no room for dancing around the evidence that things are far from good enough.
Conor Coady didn’t mince his words after the Bournemouth loss, making clear that the players bear the responsibility for poor recent performances.
It is easier said than done to deal with the problems though, and without a significant upturn in attack it won’t make much difference if mistakes are cut out further back, so arrivals in January could be key.