The Mail Bag
Howard is not good enough
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He's probably the best of what we can afford but he costs us in the big games.
It was his mistake against Liverpool in the Cup that let them back in (yes, I know he made a great save later from Gerrard but it was the confidence they gained from the equaliser that encouraged the ensuing attacks) and tonight he SHOULD have saved Van Persie's goal.
IF he'd have stood up it would have hit him in the face and he'd have saved it.
I can't help but remember the fact he didn't come out in the 1st leg in the Carling Cup semi-final last season to collect the cross that led to the Wright-Phillips headed goals (yes, I know it was last season but it was a BIG game and it cost us for the 2nd leg because we went from having an away goal to being on the backfoot and 2-1 down).
Why did Man U sell him? Because he made too many mistakes.
Yes, he makes some decent saves but he's costing us too much now. He's cost us 2 points today with a save he SHOULD have made and I'm tired of it.
He's let the defence down again.
Kase Chow, Posted 28/01/2009 at 19:13:46
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Michael Kenrick
I think that's a bit silly. It was a brilliantly struck shot that went over his shoulder. Yes, he was crouching a little but he probably never gets the chance to deal with anything like that in training because we generally don't hit the ball anywhere near that hard (with the possible exception of Cahill's screamer that was unfortunately straight at Almunia).
Its a bit harsh Kase.
You're right he did do a "Paris Hilton", if he stands up he saves it, but having been beaten by a couple of low shots recently, I think we can forgive him for trying to anticipate another.
Michael's right, the strike was stunning and if that's the worst "mistake" the big fella makes this season we?ll be ok.
All the the top goalies seem to be struggling to perform week-in, week-out.
Perhaps there?s something in this "new ball, more movement " theory.
Tims still a top 5 goalkeeper
You're right he did do a "Paris Hilton", if he stands up he saves it, but having been beaten by a couple of low shots recently, I think we can forgive him for trying to anticipate another.
Michael's right, the strike was stunning and if that's the worst "mistake" the big fella makes this season we?ll be ok.
All the the top goalies seem to be struggling to perform week-in, week-out.
Perhaps there?s something in this "new ball, more movement " theory.
Tims still a top 5 goalkeeper
Problem with eing a keeper is that whenever you make a mistake it tends to cost you the game, wheras outfield players can easily recover from mistakes.
For me, Tim is a class keeper and a good influence around the team.He keeps 5 or 6 clean sheets on the bounce then coz he lets in a couple of goald vs the RS(yes that was his fault but he made up for it later on) and against Arsenal people are beratting him.
A bit fickle if you ask me.
USA, USA, USA
For me, Tim is a class keeper and a good influence around the team.He keeps 5 or 6 clean sheets on the bounce then coz he lets in a couple of goald vs the RS(yes that was his fault but he made up for it later on) and against Arsenal people are beratting him.
A bit fickle if you ask me.
USA, USA, USA
"IF he’d have stood up it would have hit him in the face and he’d have saved it. "
Hahaha... I couldn’t stop laughing at that statement... hahaha
Hahaha... I couldn’t stop laughing at that statement... hahaha
Ridiculous. If he stands up he saves it? Yes, and if he lay down he’d have saved Gerrards. I’f he’d have hung from the cross bar he’d of saved a high one going over him and if he’d have crouched in the corner he’d save any perfect penalities. In that situation all keepers can do is make themselves big, trust their reactions and hope it hits them. Howard did that, van Persie missed him and it was hit far too hard for Howard to make a reaction save. He’s been outstanding most of the save and a big reason for his collecting so many clean sheets has been his own performances. Every goal conceded doesn’t have to have a villain, sometimes the opposition just produce something special.
Give the guy a break.Not one moan have we had about him this season now all hell break’s loose.He is a good keeper and does well for Everton.I saw my first game in 58 and believe me if you have seen some of the tripe we have had between the post ,Tim is o’k.Support your local goalie.
Harsh is an understatement! I screamed at the TV as much as anyone when he let SG’s shot past him in the cup, but VP’s is a different story. He caught the sweet spot and there’s nothing harder for a keeper than when it’s right next to your body. He simply couldn’t move his hand quick enough.
How many goals have we conceded of late? Not many that’s for sure, and while the defence in front of him may be in form you have to give Tim some credit for that.
I agree with John above, we’re always looking for someone to blame. Yes Anichebe could have closed down better, we could have been tighter on VP, Tim could have saved it with his face, but it was a great pass and an even better finish by a quality player from a decent side.
Tim will probably look at it and think he should have done better. I would expect no less from a top professional, but I would stop short of saying he should feel guilty.
We all wanted to win last night and I did think it was one of the best times to face Arsenal, but if I was offered a 1-1 before the game with our record against them, then I would have been very tempted to take it.
Time to pick ourselves up and get something out of the Manure game, then onto the RS.
COYB!
How many goals have we conceded of late? Not many that’s for sure, and while the defence in front of him may be in form you have to give Tim some credit for that.
I agree with John above, we’re always looking for someone to blame. Yes Anichebe could have closed down better, we could have been tighter on VP, Tim could have saved it with his face, but it was a great pass and an even better finish by a quality player from a decent side.
Tim will probably look at it and think he should have done better. I would expect no less from a top professional, but I would stop short of saying he should feel guilty.
We all wanted to win last night and I did think it was one of the best times to face Arsenal, but if I was offered a 1-1 before the game with our record against them, then I would have been very tempted to take it.
Time to pick ourselves up and get something out of the Manure game, then onto the RS.
COYB!
yeah, this is daft! mate sort yourself out! Howard is top draw! Every keeper in the league makes mistakes at some point regardless of the opposition!
If you think he could of saved that yesterday then i dont know what planet your on! Van Persie controlled the ball with excellence, getting into the perfect position and unleashing what can only be described as a peach! Howard didnt have time to properly brace himself for the shot! all over in a blink of an eye!
If you think he could of saved that yesterday then i dont know what planet your on! Van Persie controlled the ball with excellence, getting into the perfect position and unleashing what can only be described as a peach! Howard didnt have time to properly brace himself for the shot! all over in a blink of an eye!
You cannot be serious. It was a brilliant strike from VP. From about 10/12 yards and it travelled really fast. As a keeper, you need sheer luck with such a ball. Like Michael Kenrick said, it was comparable to Cahill’s strike. Unfortunately he hit it straight at Almunia.
The mistake we made yesterday was not finishing them off and most importantly: not keeping the ball in the team in the final minute. That’s what made me really angry.
The mistake we made yesterday was not finishing them off and most importantly: not keeping the ball in the team in the final minute. That’s what made me really angry.
Been here before - at one stage or another every member of the squad has prompted somebody to say we should get rid. Only recently there were several threads on how Cahill offers nothing "apart from goals".
Not worthy of a response so why the bloody hell am I bothering.
Kase, I’m afraid you’ve got no idea! TH is one of the top 4 keepers in the league.
Kase, your embarrassing!
Think back how many times this season he’s kept us in the game with some brilliant saves. Watch MOTD and count how many times the pundits have said ’Howard kept them in it’.
He’s a brilliant goalkeeper... Everyone makes the occassional mistake. I would never blame the goal against Liverpool on him, a mistake or bad luck, either way with the depleted squad it’s an excellent result.
Who would you prefer... Gomes for £8m!!!!?
Think back how many times this season he’s kept us in the game with some brilliant saves. Watch MOTD and count how many times the pundits have said ’Howard kept them in it’.
He’s a brilliant goalkeeper... Everyone makes the occassional mistake. I would never blame the goal against Liverpool on him, a mistake or bad luck, either way with the depleted squad it’s an excellent result.
Who would you prefer... Gomes for £8m!!!!?
Okay, I stand in a minority on this one.
It’s just my theory that he tends to make mistakes in big games. I saw him do it for Man Ure in the Champs League (which is why they got shot) and he’s done it a few times whilst with us.
I shall watch eagerly, hope I’m wrong and will happily apologise if I am. Believe me - I want to be wrong on this one....
It’s just my theory that he tends to make mistakes in big games. I saw him do it for Man Ure in the Champs League (which is why they got shot) and he’s done it a few times whilst with us.
I shall watch eagerly, hope I’m wrong and will happily apologise if I am. Believe me - I want to be wrong on this one....
Howard is class... All players are prone to mistakes. I think the fact he has made 2 in 2 games has causes a huge overeaction. Lets not be fickle. lets remember how outstanding Howard has been for us over these past few seasons.
AND WHO would you replace him with ?
they would have to be
a] Better than him
b] Free
c] Available
d] Able to fit in with our [ frankly] superb defence
SG’s strike was low and close to his body, very hard to deal with, RVP’s goal was a cracker which would have beat any keeper.
I think you , as we all where , are pissed off because we where so close to a win against a top 4 side, a side that has battered us on numerous occasions, you are looking for a scapegoat and have decided on Tim, just think if Tiny Tim had not shot straight at Alumnia we would have won the game 2-1 so therefore it’s his fault and he’s not good enough for our team ! GET REAL
they would have to be
a] Better than him
b] Free
c] Available
d] Able to fit in with our [ frankly] superb defence
SG’s strike was low and close to his body, very hard to deal with, RVP’s goal was a cracker which would have beat any keeper.
I think you , as we all where , are pissed off because we where so close to a win against a top 4 side, a side that has battered us on numerous occasions, you are looking for a scapegoat and have decided on Tim, just think if Tiny Tim had not shot straight at Alumnia we would have won the game 2-1 so therefore it’s his fault and he’s not good enough for our team ! GET REAL
If he bulked up to 40 stone he might block a few more shots.
Come on, this is all bollocks. What would you rather have? Richard Wright?
Come on, this is all bollocks. What would you rather have? Richard Wright?
Oh my, this is a silly post. Howard has kept us in games so often. Yes, agreed he messed up in the redshite game but I don’t think there was too much any keeper could have done with van Persies shot.
"IF he’d have stood up it would have hit him in the face and he’d have saved it" ... er yes, of course, he shoulda known better.
"IF he’d have stood up it would have hit him in the face and he’d have saved it" ... er yes, of course, he shoulda known better.
Nonsense post.
"Get rid of him because he’s cost us 2 points". Get a grip will you. The guy has saved us many times when called upon, including many brilliant saves. He’s a very safe goaly & one of the best in the league. Given our financial state we are lucky to have him.
Or perhaps we should go and buy Gianluigi Buffon?
"Get rid of him because he’s cost us 2 points". Get a grip will you. The guy has saved us many times when called upon, including many brilliant saves. He’s a very safe goaly & one of the best in the league. Given our financial state we are lucky to have him.
Or perhaps we should go and buy Gianluigi Buffon?
Can’t agree with this post. Howard is amaising on his day and has been one of the most consistent keepers in the league to boot! (Since he joined)
The goal was his fault coz he was flat footed which ment he couldnt re-ajust for the shot, as a goal keeper your ment to have your weight on the balls of your feet (on your toes in other words). 2 mistakes in a week but still he is a good goal keeper and the best we can get. He will make more mistakes but he will also save us more times than he will let us down.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
We could have had 3 keepers in and they wouldnt have stopped that shot. I was worried it was gonna burst through the net and smack me in the face!!
If it had have hit him in the face it would have killed him.
Kase that is an horrendous post!
We could have had 3 keepers in and they wouldnt have stopped that shot. I was worried it was gonna burst through the net and smack me in the face!!
If it had have hit him in the face it would have killed him.
Kase that is an horrendous post!
No-one’s mentioned big Vic having a pointless punt at goal from outside the area in injury time which gave Arsenal the opportunity to launch an attack. Should have headed for the flank. Easier to berate the keeper.
Thank the lord someone else has noticed Tim Howard’s failings.
He wasnt a fault for last nights goal, but could he have done a bit more reaction wise.Sundays goal was his mistake and the Anfield league game he was slow getting down. For me he could do a little more at preventing goals
He wasnt a fault for last nights goal, but could he have done a bit more reaction wise.Sundays goal was his mistake and the Anfield league game he was slow getting down. For me he could do a little more at preventing goals
Catch a grip....sorry.
Tim Howard is a quality keeper... end of...
I think goalkeepers aint what they used to be, or is it the modern football/equipment that catches them out? In general terms I think Howard is one of the better keepers in the division, I also think it’s a bit unfair to criticise him for Gerrards goal, the ball was moving like a rocket from 15 yds out, in slow motion it looks like a blunder but a bit different in real time. Overall though, this is a nonsense thread, but enjoyable!
Absolute drivel lad.I reckon you havent got a lue what so ever about football.Van Persies goal was a wonder strike and 3 keepers wouldnt of saved it.It would of ended up on Priory Road if the net wasnt there it waas that well struck.
Tim is the best keeper we have had since Big Nev, I think you may have forgotten all the clean sheets recently and all the great saves that have kept us in games.
As an ex goalkeeper (obviously only amateur) I’d have to say Case that you ’re talking for the sake of talking, in other words babling !!.
Tim has pulled off some fantastic saves, also the amount of clean sheets he’s kept this season, but, the most important thing is that his defence have confidence in him.
Nuff said
Tim has pulled off some fantastic saves, also the amount of clean sheets he’s kept this season, but, the most important thing is that his defence have confidence in him.
Nuff said
Jags should have been tighter on Van Persie, should we get rid of him as well? The fact that you’ve had to go back to last winter to find another ’blunder’ should tell he doesn’t make many.
Pienaar gave the ball away in the lead up to the goal instead of running it into the corner, lets sell him....
It was not Howard’s fault, there were slight lapses elsewhere due to tired legs and tired brains that led to it.
Standard Liege’s keeper is pretty good but he couldn’t stop Casti’s thunderous bullet volley net buster from distance due to the same (or even greater) ferocity of Casti’s wonder strike.
Human reactions are not fast enough to stop shots like that, unless you are a wonderous freak of nature like the one and only Big Nev...actually Big Nev could have stopped that one yesterday just by occupying the goal in full from that angle!
With current budget constraints, maybe Moyesy should check out the bin men of Llandudno to see if lightening strikes twice!
Standard Liege’s keeper is pretty good but he couldn’t stop Casti’s thunderous bullet volley net buster from distance due to the same (or even greater) ferocity of Casti’s wonder strike.
Human reactions are not fast enough to stop shots like that, unless you are a wonderous freak of nature like the one and only Big Nev...actually Big Nev could have stopped that one yesterday just by occupying the goal in full from that angle!
With current budget constraints, maybe Moyesy should check out the bin men of Llandudno to see if lightening strikes twice!
have to concur with this post howard is not good enough.
he will never hit martyn’s standards.
neither is anchiebe! terrible player! simply not good enough his touch and awareness are shocking!
he will never hit martyn’s standards.
neither is anchiebe! terrible player! simply not good enough his touch and awareness are shocking!
I agree - this was another example of a stop he should have made.
You can make excuses for him, say how hard the strike was (my god what an excuse!!), you can ask the ridiculous and redundant question of "who would you replace him with" (the same type of argument when anyone makes a point re Kirkby or Moyes that someone else doesnt know how to answer, its always ’well what else is there’). Its all academic gents because nothing changes the fact that Howard is not good enough - what he is, is just the best we have and could get at this time. Its true, but this doesnt change anything regards his ability or performance, and again, this was another time he should have made a save and didnt. Im sure he is as gutted as we are that he went down too soon.
In addition, why the hell doesnt Moyes do what every other manager does and run the clock down with a few subs. Would he even have made a sub at all if Tiny hadnt got injured? Why not bring on 2 more subs, one at a time, to break up play and lose some time. Nooo, instead, let arsenal have a few more moves.
Its a good point we won last night, arsenal at home is never going to be a banker, but facts are, we could have and should have won it. Arsenal had the time to score it - which we could have denied, and Howard SHOULD have stopped the shot. Thems are facts IMO.
You can make excuses for him, say how hard the strike was (my god what an excuse!!), you can ask the ridiculous and redundant question of "who would you replace him with" (the same type of argument when anyone makes a point re Kirkby or Moyes that someone else doesnt know how to answer, its always ’well what else is there’). Its all academic gents because nothing changes the fact that Howard is not good enough - what he is, is just the best we have and could get at this time. Its true, but this doesnt change anything regards his ability or performance, and again, this was another time he should have made a save and didnt. Im sure he is as gutted as we are that he went down too soon.
In addition, why the hell doesnt Moyes do what every other manager does and run the clock down with a few subs. Would he even have made a sub at all if Tiny hadnt got injured? Why not bring on 2 more subs, one at a time, to break up play and lose some time. Nooo, instead, let arsenal have a few more moves.
Its a good point we won last night, arsenal at home is never going to be a banker, but facts are, we could have and should have won it. Arsenal had the time to score it - which we could have denied, and Howard SHOULD have stopped the shot. Thems are facts IMO.
Case: Crap post!
Ian Mac: WTF
’He wasnt a fault for last nights goal, but could he have done a bit more reaction wise’ - a bit of a contradiction!
Therefore he should have reacted quicker and saved it, therefore he was at fault for the goal.
’For me he could do a little more at preventing goals’ !!!!!!!
Hang on........gasping for breath through the load guffaws!!!
Not sure what Tim has been doing all season in that 18 yard box.... I wondered why the white lines always looked freshly painted!
Ian Mac: WTF
’He wasnt a fault for last nights goal, but could he have done a bit more reaction wise’ - a bit of a contradiction!
Therefore he should have reacted quicker and saved it, therefore he was at fault for the goal.
’For me he could do a little more at preventing goals’ !!!!!!!
Hang on........gasping for breath through the load guffaws!!!
Not sure what Tim has been doing all season in that 18 yard box.... I wondered why the white lines always looked freshly painted!
If Carlsberg made Toffeeweb posts....This would probably be the WORST post in the world!
Howard has been great!!!!
Howard has been great!!!!
After conceding crucial goals in our last two games, it is now clear that the only weak spot in an otherwise excellent defence is goalkeeper Tim Howard. Both against Liverpool and Arsenal, Howard failed to make saves that any top custodian would regard as mundane and we now can see why Sir Alec was so keen to get rid. "He`s disappointed me in crucial games," said his ex-manager at the time and although the American is an excellent re-action keeper, his judgement in tight situations leaves much to be desired.
In comparison with his predecessor, Nigel Martyn, Howard is a poor second and whilst there is no chance of him being replaced, the total absence of any challenge to his place must breed the feeling of complacency too often evident in his performances.
Indeed, as the season ticks away and tiredness seeps into such a pitifully small squad, I suspect `Howarditis` will spread through the ranks. After seven years, I would have expected our much lauded manager to recognise that a full season in contention needs more than 11 men and a few token reserves!
Kase Chow,
Tim Horward is outstanding in that game, the goal scored by Van Persie is unstoppable. Full Stop!!
I’m ultimately sure, if you put Van Der Sar in Horward’s place, he will concede that goal also.
Tim Horward is outstanding in that game, the goal scored by Van Persie is unstoppable. Full Stop!!
I’m ultimately sure, if you put Van Der Sar in Horward’s place, he will concede that goal also.
The speed, the direction and the time the shot took from leaving the boot to hitting the back of the net was over in the blink of an eye.
Howard does have his faults i.e command of his area but not saving an Exocet missile of a shot is not one of them.
A few mistakes were made in the last 2 minutes, across the whole team but I feel the worst error was David Moyes not making time wasting substitutions.
Osman off for Gosling with 2 minutes to go then Fellaini off for Rodwell with 1 minute to go - game over - 3 points.
No impact required on the game itself, just to run the clock down.
Every other manager does it and that is what frustrated me last night.
3 massive games in 10 days had taken its toll, we were very tired but we were leading 1 nil with 3 minutes left.
A substitution can take up to 2 minutes and the ref normally only adds on approx. 30 seconds.
So for me Everton have been magnificent over the last 7/8 games and despite my respect for David Moyes and his achievements he and he alone cost us the 3 points last night by not simply making a couple of substitutions in injury time.
Ah well we all make mistakes.
Good luck for Saturday.
COYB
Howard does have his faults i.e command of his area but not saving an Exocet missile of a shot is not one of them.
A few mistakes were made in the last 2 minutes, across the whole team but I feel the worst error was David Moyes not making time wasting substitutions.
Osman off for Gosling with 2 minutes to go then Fellaini off for Rodwell with 1 minute to go - game over - 3 points.
No impact required on the game itself, just to run the clock down.
Every other manager does it and that is what frustrated me last night.
3 massive games in 10 days had taken its toll, we were very tired but we were leading 1 nil with 3 minutes left.
A substitution can take up to 2 minutes and the ref normally only adds on approx. 30 seconds.
So for me Everton have been magnificent over the last 7/8 games and despite my respect for David Moyes and his achievements he and he alone cost us the 3 points last night by not simply making a couple of substitutions in injury time.
Ah well we all make mistakes.
Good luck for Saturday.
COYB
Kase you are so WRONG WRONG WRONG! End of
Hasn’t he conceded the least amount of goals for any Everton keeper in his first 100 games? Even less than Big Nev.. end of debate.
Kase
not your best post is it.
You can?t just blame the keeper in these circumstances. Other team members made mistakes in giving possession away to Arsenal in the lead up to the goal. They are all responsible in a way.
But I have to say I agree with Tony Marsh (heaven help me). It was a great strike by Van Persie and credit him for it ? don?t blame Tim Howard ? he is consistently excellent.
Your disappointment is shared by us all ? at the team dropping 2 pts ? it doesn?t help pointing the finger of blame at any individual.
not your best post is it.
You can?t just blame the keeper in these circumstances. Other team members made mistakes in giving possession away to Arsenal in the lead up to the goal. They are all responsible in a way.
But I have to say I agree with Tony Marsh (heaven help me). It was a great strike by Van Persie and credit him for it ? don?t blame Tim Howard ? he is consistently excellent.
Your disappointment is shared by us all ? at the team dropping 2 pts ? it doesn?t help pointing the finger of blame at any individual.
Ask yourselves this, if he had saved it then would we be saying ’Save of the Season’.
That sums it up.
That sums it up.
Michael Kenrick, just out of interest, why in your view was "Cahill?s screamer unfortunately right at Almunia", but Van Persie?s goal was "brilliantly struck"? Van Persie?s shot was right at Howard when he hit it, Howard just managed to get out of the way in time but Almunia didn't. Thats either because Almunia practises having strong hits at him in training, or because Van Persie?s effort was slower than Cahill?s (and therefore by that rationale more savable!).
Before I am lambasted, Howard is a decent keeper, not a great one. He is also the best we got and the best we can afford right now. Those facts do not alter his ability. He is still just a fairly mid table standard keeper. He suddenly isnt better than he is because we cant afford a better keeper.
Suzain - I think a certain Alex Ferguson would disagree, and proved it by replacing Howard with Van Der Sar. Of course, if you are a more decorated manager than him........
Before I am lambasted, Howard is a decent keeper, not a great one. He is also the best we got and the best we can afford right now. Those facts do not alter his ability. He is still just a fairly mid table standard keeper. He suddenly isnt better than he is because we cant afford a better keeper.
Suzain - I think a certain Alex Ferguson would disagree, and proved it by replacing Howard with Van Der Sar. Of course, if you are a more decorated manager than him........
So who in the PL is currently better than Howard then?
Cech,arguably. It’s not as though I’ve never seen a howler from James, Carsson, van der Saar, Friedel, Green etc - even Reina, who I do rate, cocked up with Johnson’s second goal in the 3-0 derby win.
Howard’s as good as we’ll get.
Cech,arguably. It’s not as though I’ve never seen a howler from James, Carsson, van der Saar, Friedel, Green etc - even Reina, who I do rate, cocked up with Johnson’s second goal in the 3-0 derby win.
Howard’s as good as we’ll get.
Joeynkoo, here’s why:
Cahill, fantastic strike, but straight at Almunia.
Van Persie, fantastic strike, but over Howard’s shoulder.
You think the difference is "Howard got out of the way of the ball" ? which I interpret to mean some reaction after the ball was struck, or perhaps the continuation of that slight crouching movement which turned out to be an evasive manouvre for our goalie.
To me, the big difference remains the position of the keeper relative to the ball when they meet (or didn’t meet!). Cahill’s shot smacked hard into Almunia’s chest as he advanced. A foot or so either side... Game Over as the wise Mr Ken Buckley said.
Van Persie’s shot went clear over Howard’s shoulder. I calculate about 0.1 seconds between Van Persie striking the ball, and said ball traversing the plane of Howard’s slightly crouching body. If you believe Howard was really able to "get out of the way" of that Exocet in the short time allowed... well, I don’t. You need I think about 0.2 seconds reaction time to actually get any new movement in response to the strike itself.
The other element that made VanPersie’s shot a brilliant strike was the tight angle and the sheer power and velcoity. I believe there was a by-gone era when such exploits by the opposition would actually be applauded by the knowledgeable Goodison crowd ? yes, even a goal against... somehow I don’t think there were many Blues doing that last night.
Cahill, fantastic strike, but straight at Almunia.
Van Persie, fantastic strike, but over Howard’s shoulder.
You think the difference is "Howard got out of the way of the ball" ? which I interpret to mean some reaction after the ball was struck, or perhaps the continuation of that slight crouching movement which turned out to be an evasive manouvre for our goalie.
To me, the big difference remains the position of the keeper relative to the ball when they meet (or didn’t meet!). Cahill’s shot smacked hard into Almunia’s chest as he advanced. A foot or so either side... Game Over as the wise Mr Ken Buckley said.
Van Persie’s shot went clear over Howard’s shoulder. I calculate about 0.1 seconds between Van Persie striking the ball, and said ball traversing the plane of Howard’s slightly crouching body. If you believe Howard was really able to "get out of the way" of that Exocet in the short time allowed... well, I don’t. You need I think about 0.2 seconds reaction time to actually get any new movement in response to the strike itself.
The other element that made VanPersie’s shot a brilliant strike was the tight angle and the sheer power and velcoity. I believe there was a by-gone era when such exploits by the opposition would actually be applauded by the knowledgeable Goodison crowd ? yes, even a goal against... somehow I don’t think there were many Blues doing that last night.
Absolute pile of crap post. Kase Chow you are way off the mark
@Suzain: he had one stop to make before the goal, that from Van Persie?s glancing header. How exactly does that rate as an outstanding performance?
A half a dozen or more keepers in the league would?ve stopped that shot, imo.
And how does the fine save he made from Gerrard in the Cup derby somehow make up for the atrocious blunder he had committed minutes earlier?
The clean sheet run of late has sweet fuck all to do with TH?s goalkeeping and everything in the world to do with the wall of trees in front of him. I?ve said it before and I?ll say it again: when we absolutely NEED him to pull one out for us he never comes through. He?s usually a decent shot-stopper and he has been playing about as well as he can lately, but isn?t that what you?d expect from a highly paid "elite" athlete?
You don?t have to go back to last winter to find other errors, either. Take another look at Gary O?Neill?s goal @ GP this season. Witness Cahill clearing a ball for a corner last Sunday (one that should have been Howard?s) and then turning to his keeper and giving him a "where was the shout" shrug.
Oh for the love of Nigel Martyn.
A half a dozen or more keepers in the league would?ve stopped that shot, imo.
And how does the fine save he made from Gerrard in the Cup derby somehow make up for the atrocious blunder he had committed minutes earlier?
The clean sheet run of late has sweet fuck all to do with TH?s goalkeeping and everything in the world to do with the wall of trees in front of him. I?ve said it before and I?ll say it again: when we absolutely NEED him to pull one out for us he never comes through. He?s usually a decent shot-stopper and he has been playing about as well as he can lately, but isn?t that what you?d expect from a highly paid "elite" athlete?
You don?t have to go back to last winter to find other errors, either. Take another look at Gary O?Neill?s goal @ GP this season. Witness Cahill clearing a ball for a corner last Sunday (one that should have been Howard?s) and then turning to his keeper and giving him a "where was the shout" shrug.
Oh for the love of Nigel Martyn.
Michael I?ll have to get the video to study to respond.
I do think Howard went from a standing position to a crouching position during the time of the shot, thus evading. However, you wont convince me otherwise and me you either.
You do make a good point that I forgot to raise in my little rant, and that's keeper position. Other than crouching, the reason VP?s shot went over Howard's shoulder was because he didn't come out to narrow the angle or make himself big. It's something I've noticed a lot, he remains rooted to his line a lot which gives strikers a lot more of goal to aim at. Had he rushed from his line, VP?s shot would have thumped off his chest. VP might not even have composed himself to get a shot on target with a huge on rushing keeper taking up most his vision. I don't think he has the confidence to leave his line and command his box which leads to moments like VP?s goal.
I still think Moyes should have wasted the 3 minutes of injury time making subs too!
I do think Howard went from a standing position to a crouching position during the time of the shot, thus evading. However, you wont convince me otherwise and me you either.
You do make a good point that I forgot to raise in my little rant, and that's keeper position. Other than crouching, the reason VP?s shot went over Howard's shoulder was because he didn't come out to narrow the angle or make himself big. It's something I've noticed a lot, he remains rooted to his line a lot which gives strikers a lot more of goal to aim at. Had he rushed from his line, VP?s shot would have thumped off his chest. VP might not even have composed himself to get a shot on target with a huge on rushing keeper taking up most his vision. I don't think he has the confidence to leave his line and command his box which leads to moments like VP?s goal.
I still think Moyes should have wasted the 3 minutes of injury time making subs too!
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