Jordan Pickford has brushed off concerns regarding England's defensive security and believes that the Three Lions will 'thrive' in the knockout phase, starting by facing DR Congo. The goalkeeper insists England's defence must now be watertight if they are to end 60 years of hurt. While the Three Lions have kept back-to-back World Cup clean sheets, Panama had a whopping 13 shots at MetLife Stadium on Saturday.
Pickford on Clean Sheets and Team Spirit
There's a firm argument stronger opposition would make Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions pay, however, Pickford wants to build on the positivity of two successive shutouts. He said: "It's good. Clean sheets in tournament football are crucial. It's fine margins and we've got a lot going forward. So if we keep it tight at the back with clean sheets then it'll give us the best chance. It ramps up now, doesn't it? It's a proper phase of football. One game at a time."
"There are lads who have won Champions Leagues, lads who have been in youth tournaments with England. Everyone knows the pressure of it and I think that is where you will see us thrive," Pickford added.
England's Knockout Preparation
England were dragged into extra-time by Slovakia and Switzerland two years ago at the European Championships in Germany. Still, Pickford feels there is no need to rip up the recipe that has worked for England during their three group games when they collide with DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday. He said of the knockout stage: "It's not too different. We've got our goal. You take it step by step, you work on the training pitch you keep that enjoyment and keep that fun environment but once you're training you're working, you take the messages in and for me that's the glue really."
"Because you want to be enjoying it but you don't want to be solely focused on too much tomorrow, thinking about the next game. You want to have that recovery environment, that when we're working we're working, but when we're off the pitch it's like our downtime and relax and have fun between us. That's what we do. That's what I feel we've got right since I got here in 2018."
Penalty Shootout Readiness
Knockout football means penalty shootouts are now possible and Pickford, as he's said on record many times before, would have no qualms taking one. He explained: "I've been taking a few! It's tournament football and we prepare ourselves, we push ourselves 110 per cent. Every day we'll make sure everything's right and we'll be ready come matchday on Wednesday."
"Of course [we have good takers] and that's put me down the pecking order now. Everyone is good at them and that's the standard we set and the confidence we put in each other. It's my job to make the saves and in tournaments, time and time before, I've always come up with a save in a shoot out for England and I'll hopefully continue that."
