I had to learn a hard lesson about having faith in my teammates, and Jordan Pickford at Everton needs to do the same.

I had to learn a hard lesson about having faith in my teammates, and Jordan Pickford at Everton needs to do the same.

“I’ve learned from experience that sticking to what you excel at on the football field is crucial, and Everton‘s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, should take heed of this lesson.

During Everton’s match against Crystal Palace, their gameplay was so deficient that the midfield seemed redundant. If I were James Garner, I’d feel embarrassed because it seemed like

the team didn’t trust him to control and advance the ball effectively.

I recall a cup final I played for PSV against Ajax, where I executed a quick one-two play,

launching a long ball over 35 yards for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Although I believed it was a smart move, manager Guus Hiddink cautioned me

against repeating it. He reminded me of my role as a left-back and emphasized that creating opportunities for the strikers was the midfielder’s responsibility, not mine.

In the first half, our main playmakers were Ben Godfrey and James Tarkowski,

attempting lengthy switches of play. However, we failed to penetrate the opponent’s

defense, rendering the midfield ineffective.

If I were playing alongside Pickford, I’d be unsure how to handle his erratic

behavior, which unsettles both fans and teammates. Requesting passes from outfield players outside his area

adds unnecessary pressure. As an outfield player, I’d urge him to focus solely

on stopping shots and trust the midfielders to create opportunities.

Pickford’s inconsistency is evident, with sporadic moments of brilliance

overshadowed by misplaced kicks. Leadership on the pitch is crucial for inspiration,

and Tarkowski exemplifies this well, especially in the absence of captain Seamus Coleman.

While Tarkowski effectively communicates and guides players, others must step up.

Rather than relying on Pickford, teammates should take charge and instruct him

to stay in his box, encouraging him to demand support from midfielders when necessary.”

Let me know if you need further clarification or assistance!

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