Nick Pope was under the spotlight last night as his unfortunate error gifted Germany a late equaliser at Wembley.
Pope looked nervous between the sticks for his country by all accounts (I couldn’t bring myself to watch the game after wasting so much of my life on previous Nations League tripe) and maybe those nerves led to his 86th-minute mistake. I refuse to call it a “blunder” as it was more unfortunate than anything else as he dived low to save a long range effort from Serge Gnabry, the ball bobbled at the last minute hitting Pope as opposed to being safely gathered. The deflected effort was then poked home.
Firstly, the issue of nerves is a justified one for Pope – Not only does he have the weight of England’s expectations on his shoulders as Southgate looks for solid cover for Jordan Pickford, but he has to perform with Harry Maguire in front of him, that should be enough to have any goalkeeper on edge. The proof being the first goal where a sloppy pass from Maguire fell to German feet and then Magure opted to kick said feet resulting in a penalty.
Should Pope Be Ahead Of Pickford For The World Cup?
Yes
No
Speaking of Maguire, it was in Harry Kane’s post-match interview that he leapt to the defence of Pope and the Manchester United defender saying: “For sure, any individual mistake you’re going to be gutted.
“But we’re a team and you get behind each other, they learn from it and move on.
“They have been great for us every time they have put an England shirt on.” (via The Boot Room)
Pope is experienced enough to not let this bother him, and Southgate will likely go with Pickford at the World Cup anyway as he has reverted to picking favourites over form these days. As long as Pope keeps doing what he’s been doing for his club, I have no problem with him at all. One error doesn’t undo all the good.
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