I’m happy to be up with Banks and Shilton
Peter Shilton in getting to the World Cup semi-finals.
“But nothing fazes me. I always enjoy my football and any criticism doesn’t affect me.
“We are just taking each game as it comes. We know the ability we have in the squad and the togetherness we have is key to what we are doing.”
Pickford added: “It was a great result. We knew it was going to be difficult and we knew we would have to bring our A game to this match.
“The atmosphere was quality – the England fans are different class.”
Pickford showed great reactions to push away a Marcus Berg header in the second half, then got down brilliantly to keep out Viktor Claesson when it looked like the Swedes were bound to pull one back.
And in the final five minutes, he touched a Berg piledriver over the bar to make sure of the win – and his clean sheet.
“After I made that first save from Berg with the header that was me set for the rest of the game,” Pickford said.
“I wasn’t born the last time England reached a World Cup semi-final in 1990. We have always said we would take one game at a time and we can go on and create our own history.”
Everton’s Pickford made his England debut seven months ago and had only three caps before the World Cup but Southgate let him know he would be his first-choice.
He also backed him up with two more inexperienced keepers in the shape of Jack Butland (eight caps) and Nick Pope (one), leaving behind long-term regular Joe Hart.
Like much that Southgate has done since taking over as England manager, it has proved a refreshing and hugely effective approach.
The England boss could have played it safe and kept faith with the experienced Hart – despite his struggles this season – but went with form and youth and has been proved right.
“I had a good season and this is what it is all about,” Pickford said.
“I don’t put myself under pressure – I play in the moment.
“The pitch is always the same. The lines and goal height are the same.
“I just work hard every day. I kept a clean sheet because all the work I do in training is to showcase on match day. I am capable of making these saves and it showed in the performance.”
WHATEVER the Three Lions’ final destiny at this World Cup, Jordan Pickford’s own England story has only just begun.
That is the verdict of Everton legend Neville Southall who told the that the Goodison club’s goalkeeper has showed in Russia that he has always good on penalties but that for me was worth what it takes to be his country’s No.1 for years. than anything else. The save he made was as good
Southall also defended the 6ft Pickford over questions as any. about his stature, describing him as “the pRerefpeocrtting “If Everton improve this season he’ll have less and height” for a keeper. less to do so what is he going to be like? That save
Southall, widely considered the world’s best answered the question.” goalkeeper during his 1980s heyday with Everton and Southall adds that he was bemused by the Wales, said: “He can be what he wants to be. criticism Pickford, 24, received from TV
“I don’t think anyone is going to stop him, it’s how pundits Gary Neville and Lee Dixon much he wants to drive himself forward and how much after being beaten by Adnan he wants to get better.” Januzaj’s goal in the group-stage
Pickford has become a hero at home after his flying loss to Belgium. stop from Mateus Uribe against Colombia, then his Southall, 59, a social media penalty shoot-out save from Carlos Bacca. And another phenomenon these days, three key moments against Sweden yesterday have tweeted in his defence: “Gone silenced any remaining doubters, reckons Southall. with correct hand.”
“For me, he’s answered the one question I was really He continued his defence worried about, if has nothing to do can he produce a and said: “I don’t think he decent save?” Southall said of a player who joined has put a foot wrong and yet
Everton last summer from relegated Sunderland. he somehow got stick, there
“Most of his career he’s been smashed every week are people looking for stuff with shots but this World Cup has proved he can to do. produce a great save in the last minute when he’s done “In the Belgium game I think nothing all game like against Colombia. he did okay – he wasn’t at fault
“That shows his concentration is there – to be out of for anything.” the game for long periods and make a great save. He’s Southall went on to discuss the question of Pickford’s height, which became a talking point after the 6ft 6ins Thibaut Courtois’ claim that he would have saved Januzaj’s shot.
For the Welshman, Pickford has speed and agility beyond anything a bigger keeper like Chelsea and Belgium custodian Courtois can muster.
“Look where that ball was the other day and he managed to get it,” he said of Uribe’s shot. “Are you telling me someone who is six foot six would be as quick across the ground and catch it? No, they’re not. “He’s a decent size, he moves quickly and his feet are quicker than a big fella’s feet – that’s the difference, he will get two steps in where Courtois is getting one. “If you have someone who is six foot five they’re slower across the ground.
“Maybe Pickford hasn’t got the height or reach at times but he doesn’t struggle on crosses because it’s easier for him to be going up at the highest point. With Courtois, a lot of the time he’s not catching it at the highest point.” Southall added: “His height for me is perfect as he’s good enough and quick enough and has a good spring.”
But Big Nev has been less impressed by the quality of the keepers at Russia 2018. He said: “The goalkeeping has been shocking because nobody catches the ball – let’s be honest, the outfield players dive more than the goalkeepers!”