Everton’s underperformance across the last two full seasons has seen plenty of villains forged, given those responsible have helped plunge a historic club into near-constant turmoil.
The 2021/22 campaign saw them escape the drop by just four points, and the year following that gap would be narrowed to just two points.
However, it was set to be so different this year.
That was, until a points deduction saw them sent from 14th to 19th overnight.
All the hard work Sean Dyche and his team had done was stolen, and they were essentially forced to start over again. However, the resolute response has given hope to a fanbase that truly believes that this can be another season of solidarity and securing safety, and hopefully the last embroiled in such a dogfight.
During these trying three years though, a select few heroes have been made, with none standing out more than Jordan Pickford.
An ever-present asset who is arguably at a level far beyond Everton now, his desire to stay and become a legend at Goodison Park is hugely appreciated.
So, to see him speak highly of Dyche is yet another glowing endorsement for the 52-year-old.
Speaking on their ten-point docking, the former Sunderland ace would note: ‘I looked (at the table) before the game. We’ve just got to focus on ourselves. We’ve had the points deduction but have got to focus and keep pushing forward. It’s now a tough game against Newcastle on Thursday.
‘It’s something (the 10-point deduction) we said not to focus on. The manager spoke about it too. We’ve just got to focus and keep looking forward, picking up results. It’s only December – don’t look at the league table, look at ourselves and how we can get wins.’
How important is Jordan Pickford for Everton?
Having joined in 2017, Pickford’s importance to Everton nowadays cannot be understated.
In fact, many Evertonians would attest that, if not for the 29-year-old shot-stopper, they certainly would not have maintained their top-flight status.
To further emphasise his quality, a number of goalkeepers affiliated with the club, past and present, would rush to praise him recently. Asmir Begovic even claimed: ‘I think Jordan is one of the best goalkeepers in the world’.
With three Player of the Season awards from the club across his six full seasons, such importance is only amplified.
Amassing 254 senior appearances now, and boasting 2.4 saves per game in the Premier League this season, the England international seemingly only gets better with age.
He is Everton’s pride and joy, and will hopefully remain so for the foreseeable future.
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