Sean Dyche receives the ideal message from Billy Crellin as a new Everton issue arises.
Chris Beesley provides Everton analysis following the EFL Trophy loss to Doncaster Rovers.
In spite of the fact that Everton’s quick trip back to Doncaster Rovers was rather more low-key, Billy Crellin’s heroics between the posts served as motivation for a young Blues team despite their 2-0 loss.
Jordan Pickford felt the heat from the Eco-Power Stadium crowd less than three weeks ago, and the home fans took great pleasure in giving him a tough time. Opposition supporters were on Pickford’s back just seconds into the Carabao Cup match on August 30, when Sean Dyche’s team overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to win 2-1. Pickford had just survived an early let-off after being dispossessed.
The taunts, such as “Aaron Ramsdale, he’s better than you,” in some strange solidarity with a player who used to play for South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United, continued for well over an hour before Everton finally turned things around. The cat calls and jeers were heard by a player who has done wonders for his country at the European Championship and World Cup finals. When he substituted David Raya for Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal on Sunday, former Blues midfielder Mikel Arteta denied us the chance to watch the two square off at Goodison Park. However, there was another goalkeeper in the spotlight here.
Crellin made many noteworthy saves to keep Everton in the game.
Crellin, who was born in Blackpool, has taken a slightly unusual road thus far. After 13 games for “The Cods,” just five of which were in league play, and following loan stints at non-league FC United of Manchester, Chorley, League Two Bolton Wanderers, and subsequently Fleetwood Town, he joined Everton in January 2022.
It will be intriguing to see where he goes from here after being selected for England at the Under-17, 18, 19, and 20 levels.
By the time Pickford reached Crellin’s age, he had already made his significant £25 million transfer to the Blues, but like Crellin, he had also been heavily loaned out by his hometown club Sunderland, visiting Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City, and Preston North End before becoming the first choice at the Stadium of Light.
