DAYS TO GO
POPE OUT TO DELIVER
PLENTY of things will be rushing through Jordan Pickford’s mind when he walks out to face Tunisia in England’s opening World Cup match in Volgograd.
The craziest of all might be the day seven Wrexham players tried to intimidate him playing for non-league Alfreton in the sixth tier of English football on a loan spell from Sunderland when he was only 18.
Everton star Pickford has come a long way since then – but he readily acknowledges it is experiences like that which have shaped his career and made him England’s No.1 keeper in Russia.
Pickford recalled: “I was at Alfreton and vividly remember a corner at Wrexham when they put seven players on top of me.
“The first corner I could have come and got it, the second one I came and took it. And they ran away.
“It’s all about game management. You can’t be frightened as you only get one chance. I’ve always taken that chance – and taken it well.
“Before I was at Alfreton, Sunderland loaned me out to Darlington and they were also in the Conference Premier. I always remember just coming for crosses.
“Being confident but not arrogant is the key.
“I was confident in my ability and in my bravery,” he said. “Back then I was just coming for crosses when I could, but as you get older it’s all about learning game management from those you played in.”
Pickford has certainly learned the ropes – and not just in goal where his performances for Sunderland two seasons ago earned him a £30million move to Goodison Park, even though the Black Cats were relegated to the Championship.
The Wearside-born star said: “Back in the day I held my own when I played outfield for my school. I also played a couple of games outfield when I was younger for Sunderland. The dreaded left-back role!
“Our coach, Kevin Ball, would put me up at centre-back to get a picture of how it was in front of me, and I thought that worked well.
“I think he even said I was the best centrehalf at the time. He’s a Sunderland legend, so I’ll take that.”
Although Pickford’s heroes were Peter Schmeichel and Oliver Kahn, he has not modelled his game on any one star and has always embraced the ‘play it out’ style Gareth Southgate likes from his keepers.
“Every goalkeeper has his own technique but I’m different – if everyone is the same it’s a bit robotic,” said Pickford. “Everyone has their own style with the way they stand, their hand position, everything. I grew up ‘playing out’ at Sunderland.
“Although I was in goal I was always in the little possession drills, so I’ve always been comfortable with my feet and I was always learning that.
As a keeper you have to be a bit crazy... but in the right way. Being confident but not arrogant is the key. I was always brave growing up
Crazy
“So it is not something new to me. And I wouldn’t mind a little quarterback role at centre-back or central midfield, spraying balls about!
“As a keeper you have to be a bit crazy but in the right way. Growing up I was always brave and that is how it’s helped me.
“Now I can’t wait to get out there and do my best. I’ve always wanted to play for England and never really felt any other way.
“I’ve come through England age groups from Under-16s and been in tournaments, which is the pathway to these big stages.
“So you can’t let it faze you too much because that’s when you put pressure on yourself – and I’ve never done that before.
“Even making my debut at Wembley against Germany. It was a sold-out 90,000. That was new to me but I embraced it and used that atmosphere to make me better.” FORMER milkman Nick Pope may not get a start at the World Cup – but he’s still got crate expectations... The towering 26-year-old Burnley keeper (left) has had an amazing campaign, playing in 35 Premier League games and helping Sean Dyche’s stars into Europe after No.1 Tom Heaton suffered a dislocated shoulder three games into the season. Pope, behind Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland in England’s pecking order, says: “What have I got to moan about? “If I wasn’t going to the World Cup I’d be sitting at home watching it on TV. But No.3? We’ll see about that! “I was at college from 16 to 19, and then I worked as a milkman. It meant early mornings in the dark and cold, glass bottles – but I didn’t drop any!”