Jordan Pickford has admitted that the reception he gets from Newcastle United fans at St James’ Park is ‘on another scale’.
Pickford has long been taunted about his Sunderland roots and more besides over the years after making the trip to Tyneside with Everton. Although Pickford has got ‘a lot of stick’ from Geordies, the England number one has previously recognised how the atmospher
Pickford touched upon that noise as the 31-year-old discussed what it was like to play at Villa Park, Anfield, Old Trafford and, of course, St James’.
“They have all got good history,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sports after being asked about his favourite away day. “Villa Park is bouncing and quite enjoyable to go to before the game.
“Anfield is, obviously, a big derby game. The atmosphere gets you going. The derby game is always one of them where there is a bit of needle.
“I like Old Trafford. Just growing up as a kid, we didn’t have Sky back in the day and we watched Champions League nights so I always liked playing at Old Trafford. St James’ Park? The atmosphere towards me is a bit on another scale.”
Pickford is due to play at St James’ on the final day of the campaign and Newcastle will need the stadium at its febrile best during the run-in. In fact, five of the Magpies’ nine remaining Premier League fixtures are at home.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank called St James’ ‘one of the most lively away grounds in the league’ following his side’s 2-1 defeat on Wednesday night. “It’s a very difficult place to play,” he added.
