Who has to step up for Everton as season run-in looms

Everton are preparing for perhaps the most crucial and defining set of football games in the club’s history. So which of their often chronically underperforming players really have to step up if the club is to avoid relegation?

Well, you could say basically all of them and that wouldn’t be far from the truth. However, while all of the Everton first-team need to contribute, perhaps there are some whose form may be more critical than others.

In particular, the central spine of the team is hugely important so let’s start with the first of those players: Jordan Pickford.

The Blues’ goal keeper has been in solid form this season and in fact he is one of the few players who has not often underperformed at any time during the campaign.

That’s a change on previous seasons when Pickford was at times a real liability and made errors which often cost his team points.

Everton’s England number one has pulled off some fine stops so far this season and has probably already saved the Blues’ some potentially crucial points. He was in outstanding form again for his country in the recent friendly win over Switzerland.

More of the same will be vital in the coming weeks as a keeper in good form can secure crucial points and ensure a narrow win is held onto or enable the side to gain a point they might have lost. That might be the difference between survival or relegation.