Sunderland boss Moyes calls for patience from Pickford

A rum-maker, the brains behind a social media platform, pundits and coaches - and one still playing! Here's what happened to the Man United and Arsenal stars from the 'Battle of Old Trafford'
Erik ten Hag comes out fighting AGAIN as he claims critics who think he should be sacked 'don't have any knowledge of football' in another fiery press conference ahead of Man United's clash with Arsenal
Revealed: The little known Man United and Arsenal young stars that could transform their clubs
How Pep Guardiola helped to turn Josko Gvardiol from 'confused and lost' to a central cog in Man City's title charge - and a £77m defender who can't stop scoring!
Arsenal defeated Manchester United 3-1 the last time these two clubs met - and the Gunners are 17/2 with Sky Bet to do so again when they clash with the Red Devils at Old Trafford
Former darts world No 1 and sports psychology expert reveals why it's scientifically UNFAIR for transgender darts players to compete in female events... following Deta Hedman's Denmark Open withdrawal
Tottenham put Burnley out of their misery, writes AADAM PATEL... Vincent Kompany's side only survived this long due to points deductions and the quality of the teams around them
Meltdown at Man United: The mood is worse than during the last days of Mourinho, 'rock bottom' is a fond memory and nobody knows what the plan is - plus, how Erik ten Hag infuriated one big-name star
Luton fans brawl with stewards at West Ham in violent scenes as police are forced to intervene... after the Hatters' relegation from the Premier League was all-but confirmed following 3-1 defeat
The people's champion? Tyson Fury is more like a circus clown, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI
Man United keep pressing the self-destruct button and the inconsistency of Erik ten Hag's team is driving everybody nuts... here's why I would rather go and watch Salford
Josko Gvardiol explains why he REFUSED to take a penalty to complete his hat-trick in Man City's romp over Fulham and ruin his chance to make Premier League history
Tottenham are mocked by rival fans for holding a lap of honour BEFORE their last home game - which is against Man City and could help Arsenal win the Premier League
Chelsea's substitutes finally delivered for Mauricio Pochettino as Reece James and Raheem Sterling inspired the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, writes JOE BERNSTEIN
Like a juggernaut with faulty brake pads, Man City are unstoppable as demonstrated in thumping Fulham 4-0... Arsenal are living on a prayer to win the title now, writes SAMI MOKBEL
Inside Harry Kane's German misery: He lives in the Beverly Hills of Bavaria but his suffering just won't stop. Sources close to the 'cursed' England captain reveal what's REALLY going through his head...
Joshua Sargent and Crysencio Summerville - who have a combined 35 goals in the Championship this season - are 14/1 to both score when Norwich host Leeds in a play-off semi-final today
Paul Merson says Todd Boehly's speech that his plans were coming together was 'worrying' as he claims Chelsea owner just went and bought who did well on YouTube
Don't look back in anger! Noel Gallagher refuses to join in the Poznan as Manchester City fans celebrate moving back to the top of the Premier League table after thrashing Fulham
PLAYER RATINGS: Josko Gvardiol is becoming a key player for Pep Guardiola during the title run-in but who has grown into his role at Man City with incisive moments?
Fulham 0-4 Manchester City: Josko Gvardiol's brace alongside goals from Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez see Pep Guardiola's side regain top spot from Arsenal in Premier League title race
Jimmy Anderson deserved a much better ending than this... the England great should have been able to depart on his own terms and he has every right to be frustrated, writes DAVID LLOYD
Jimmy Anderson reveals why the 'time is right' for him to end his England career after he confirmed his retirement... with the bowling great, 41, already in talks over a new role
Lionel Messi fumes live on TV and talks directly to the camera as he's caught out by bizarre new MLS rule change

Sunderland look set for relegation as they sit bottom of the Premier League
David Moyes's side host West Ham on Saturday at the Stadium of Light
Moyes accepts some Sunderland fans may already be resigned to relegation
Manchester City and Liverpool are interested in goalkeeper Jordan Pickford

Published: 17:36 EDT, 14 April 2017 | Updated: 19:12 EDT, 14 April 2017

e-mail

David Moyes says Jordan Pickford would be better off spending a season in the Championship with Sunderland rather than sitting on the bench in the Premier League.

The England squad goalkeeper will not be short of suitors this summer and the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool are ready to make a move.

But Moyes believes it would not harm the career of the 23-year-old were he to remain with his hometown team should they be relegated, as is almost certain with them 10 points adrift of safety ahead of Saturday's visit of West Ham.

Jordan Pickford has impressed in Sunderland's goal despite a tough season for the club

'What Jordan can't afford is a year when he's not playing,' said Moyes.

'I think now it would be a backward step if he wasn't going to be a number one keeper.

'If you play badly and get dropped, now that can happen to any keeper, but I think to be going as a number two is wrong.

'The difference with Jordan is he's young. He'll need more maturity before he becomes the absolute real deal. That comes with time and with games and by the time he's 26 you'll see someone different.

David Moyes thinks Pickford would be better suited to staying with Sunderland than leaving

'He's under contract (here) so we've got that at the moment (as well).'

Pickford has been shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year prize. And Moyes says he deserves to win given that this has been his breakthrough season.

'I have been banging on all year that I think he is the best emerging young talent,' he added. 'There are other young talents like Dele Alli and we have some terrific youngsters.

'But if you said who was new on the scene? I would say Jordan should win it hands down because he has been that good.' Meanwhile, Moyes accepts that some fans will already be resigned to relegation.

'There probably are supporters out there who do think that, but we don't think that and we're still fighting while we've got a breath to try and make sure we stay up,' he said.