Sunderland’s Pickford is top-class claims O’Shea

With Vito Mannone still out injured, Jordan Pickford has stepped up and he’s been described as a top-class goalkeeper by defender John O’Shea.

Despite Pickford’s strong performances, the Black Cats are bottom of the Premier League and have yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

Sunderland picked up just their second point of the season with a 1-1 draw against West Brom last time out.

And O’Shea admits the squad were desperate for a clean sheet against the Baggies but instead needed an 83rd-minute equaliser from Patrick van Aanholt to salvage something from the game.

“We were desperate for that clean sheet, I think that’s the big thing going forward for us,” he said.

(Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

“If we get that clean sheet we are going to get chances to score, if we keep working on that Pickford again was impressive at times too.

“His kicking is quality at times but he sometimes has to calm himself down too.

“The game is going so far fast, end to end, we need to keep control at times, it adds to the tension if we are kicking it so quick if he controls that he can be a top class keeper, he already is.”