I'm all for having a laugh at the Blues as a collective for having what appears to have the potential to be a serious handbrake on their ambitions in their side, and I've nothing against having a laugh at the Pickford scenario in the match/league threads and with mates, etc, but I wonder if we should perhaps be better than having a 39-page thread dedicated to this topic - or at least the laughter at an individual's expense aspect of it? Yes, lots of Everton fans are concerned and want rid; yes, Pickford's own demeanour does his reputation no good; yes, the results of his errors offer us amusement; and, yes, critique is fair enough.
I'm reminded of a few interviews from last year, about footballers 'hearing' the abuse - Luke Chadwick and Peter Crouch spring to mind - and how it affected their mental health.
Just wonder if the joke's gone on for long enough now...?
I think the issue with Pickford is that he actually created the joke himself. It's almost as if he goes out of his way to set himself up.
He doesn't play for a top club and he really isn't that good at his job, but he swans around as though he's Gordon Banks. When you big yourself up like he does, have digs at people infinitely better than you at your job (Alisson) then blame everyone but yourself when you mess up, you open yourself up to scrutiny and ridicule. Add a complete lack of self-awareness and humility to the mix, and it's no wonder people react to him like they do. It's human nature to want to bring the cocky bastards in life down a peg or two. To be honest, I think he deserves the stick he gets in here. Also, let's be honest, it's not horrible, sinister stuff either.
If I bumped into the fella on a night out I'd take as I find and treat him with the respect I'd treat anyone else with. In here though, I just go with the public and professional image he presents to us. On that score, he reaps what he sows. The fact we can squeeze a 40 page thread out of him speaks volumes. As I said, he pretty much sets himself up and invites ridicule due to his actions.
However, I do understand your point. I'm well versed in mental health, confidence and esteem issues myself. I've been both the client and the counsellor in my time, and I've had more than my share of issues. I wouldn't ridicule a person in 'real life' just as I'd hope they wouldn't ridicule me. I know the damage that kind of thing can do. On here I think he's fair game up to a point, because he is never coming on here and reading it, and I wouldn't want him to either. It's pretty tame stuff anyway, and not sinister by any means. There are always lines to be drawn, and I think the moderators on here are well on the ball. If lines were crossed, they'd point it out very quickly and take the appropriate action.