Newcastle united must wipe smile from jordan pickford's face on sunday

As a devout Mackem there is nothing he would like better than come the very last day of the season on Geordie soil he was able to throw a hand grenade into Newcastle's Champions League

celebrations. Jordan Pickford may have lived for quite a few years amongst the Liver Birds but he who would love to scatter the Magpies especially up here. United want three points to

guarantee a return to the Champions League and Pickford can directly prevent that which is a challenge you know he will relish. Sorry you will be disappointed fella! Pickford could be hailed

as Everton's best keeper since Neville Southall, certainly he is England's No 1 with enough caps, 75, to open a hat shop. He is in your face, he plays the crowd and they play him.

Here he faces not just the old enemy but an ex-Toffee team-mate Anthony Gordon, spiky himself, in what is set up for a lively goodbye to 2024-25. Pickford has a mixed record against United

- he has played us 13 times, won four, drawn four, and lost five. All with Everton. Though he made 35 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland he never took part in a Tyne-Wear derby.

His big season was 2016-17 when he played in 29 PL fixtures while United were in the Championship. Everton's manager David Moyes was once Sunderland's boss but the Scot is no

Mackem like his keeper. He has, along with Pickford, a firm standing among the blue half of Liverpool as a lengthy servant and has unquestionably saved them from relegation this season as

has his shot-stopper. Nevertheless, come Sunday Everton have nothing to play for and Newcastle everything so, despite Pickford's personal desire, it is hard to think of the Mags being

denied. They have had their party at the weekend when they said a loving goodbye to Goodison Park while Geordies will have theirs on the final whistle this weekend to celebrate the finale of

a momentous season which ought to have brought the twin delights of Carabao Cup and Champions League. However increasingly it feels that the availability of Alexander Isak is vital to

ensure United gain their breakthrough goals against Pickford and Everton. He has topped 50 successful strikes over the last two seasons and, almost just as important, without him United are

threadbare at No. 9. Is Callum Wilson an impact stand-in? Naw, not any longer I'm afraid. Is Will Osula? Naive, raw rather than reliable. Anthony Gordon as a false nine? Maybe, just

maybe, it actually might be the best of a hugely limited choice given it would also enable Eddie Howe to keep Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy in his side. It would be lovely, and deserved, if

Wilson managed to score his 50th Newcastle goal and his first in the PL this season on his final day in black-and-white but can we rely on it happening? Romance is alive - Jamie Vardy got

his 200th Leicester bullseye on his final appearance - though I don't want to be dependant upon it. No way. At 33, after repeated injuries, Wilson's ravaged body doesn't allow

him to lead the line effectively in a system which requires constant movement off the ball and clever interplay which Isak provides in abundance. I believe Alex will be strapped up and sent

into battle one last time unless it is impossible but playing matches without him sees doubts creep in which are not there otherwise. The warning is clear - in the four PL fixtures United

have had to endure in his absence they have scored only once and that was a penalty. Nothing from open play. So please Lady Luck, physio staff, Isak himself, give us a break on our big day.

However if the worst does come to pass and he is out then let the rest step up to the challenge. Isak or not. Regardless of Pickford. Do they want to be tagged a one-man team? Get it done.

STORY ARRIVES HOME AT LAST It's all of five years late but it has made it in the end and, well, it's worth waiting for I can assure you. Carrying David, the inspirational,

emotional story of world boxing champion Glenn McCrory's relationship with his terminally ill brother David, is about to arrive at Newcastle's Theatre Royal. Penned by Newcastle

playwright Ed Waugh, it was due to transfer to the city centre in April of 2020 but was pulled a few weeks before because of Covid. Around 25,000 leaflets, hundreds of posters, and dozens of

banners had to be pulped! Since then it has played London and Northern Ireland to sell out audiences with North East actor Micky Cochrane starring as Glenn. Carrying David is on for two

days only - Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22. Maybe, hopefully maybe, there is a film to follow. Talks are at an advanced stage. Hollywood comes to Stanley! I know I'm biased but

I've seen the play and it's a cracker. If you have a sentimental heart well worth a space in your diary.