The Mail Bag
Big Concern
Comments (27)
The big concern I refer to is one Tim Howard. I have never been totally convinced by our keeper but admit he has done a good job for us by and large. However, his form has dropped in recent weeks and against Villa he was very poor. His indecision helped Villa equalise and he was never in command of his area.
I fear that this could be our undoing against United. Having previously played under Ferguson, United will be all too aware of our keepers shortcomings and prey upon them.
Graham Nolan, Posted 15/04/2009 at 09:51:16
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Michael Kenrick
Hi Graham ? There's already been quite a bit of discussion about Howard since Sunday on older threads, but he is definitely a concern for next weekend...
He’s a great keeper who had a bit of a bad game. He is not a concern he’ll be solid as usual. Van der sar hasnt been to smart lately maybe we should concentrate on his failings rather than pick at our own.
Well said Chris Fisher, i wouldnt worry though i guarantee if tiny tim had one bad game some character would be on here saying that he was a ’Big Concern’
Let’s just hope he’s had his bad game and is fit and ready for the weekend and has a bit of a point to prove with the Mancs. We’ve not much option as our two youngsters are on loan/broken toe, and I’m not sure Nash would be any better option in goal than Jags... another area when we need improving next season if possible.
Us Evertonians need to learn that it is ok for our players to not have a great game every now and then and that it doesnt mean that they are a ’Big Concern’ or past it or we’ve out grown them etc etc!!! The fact is Howard is a class keeper and we are luck to have him after some of the shite keepers we’ve had in the not to distant past!! He’s one of the only players in our squad who has experience in playing in massive games like sunday so we need to get behind him not on his back!
Graham, didn’t hear you moaning when he has been superb in most games this season? Against Villa, he was poor on crosses, something he is normally very good on. don’t forget though that he produced a great save in added on time.
I really can’t believe you are moaning about Howard, he’s a great keeper. And if you havd been listening to Moyes lately then you would know that he has been injured lately and was a doubt for Villa, but Moyes decided to risk him.
I really can’t believe you are moaning about Howard, he’s a great keeper. And if you havd been listening to Moyes lately then you would know that he has been injured lately and was a doubt for Villa, but Moyes decided to risk him.
I think it’s been kept on the down low at the club over recent weeks that Howard is carrying a significant injury. Either groin or hamstring. Clearly he’s not as mobile as usual, and should have done a lot better with Villa’s second. Unfortunately there is no viable plan B with this position and Moyes will obviously stick with him. Howard is arguably as good as the other goalies in the top six.
Was injured against Villa, nuff said!
No goalkeeper is infallible.
Who are the best 5 keepers in the league - Cech - looks dodgy on crosses
Reina - ditto
van der sar - ditto
swarzter - ditto
howard - ditto
luckily, we score more goals from headers than utd, mark vidic and they got no arial threat. If the big Fella really goes for it he can rough u vidic.
i say best plan is try and get vidic, carrick or rooney booked. They are the 3 players we need to concentrate on. none of them will want a red card and miss a league game when the title is so close. If they are not at their best, we have a real chance.
No goalkeeper is infallible.
Who are the best 5 keepers in the league - Cech - looks dodgy on crosses
Reina - ditto
van der sar - ditto
swarzter - ditto
howard - ditto
luckily, we score more goals from headers than utd, mark vidic and they got no arial threat. If the big Fella really goes for it he can rough u vidic.
i say best plan is try and get vidic, carrick or rooney booked. They are the 3 players we need to concentrate on. none of them will want a red card and miss a league game when the title is so close. If they are not at their best, we have a real chance.
He?s suspect to his left. A Manc told me. Watch him...
Howard is a good keeper, but is prone to wobbles at this time of the season.
I wonder if Moyes is going to drop Baines and put Yobo back in the middle on Sunday? I don?t believe that should happen, but considering the general shakiness at Villa Park, he may feel he has to address it.
Fran, I want the game to start and end with eleven against eleven. All this getting players sent off is silly. Also note when Kevin Moran was sent off in 1985, it galvanised United and they went on to win the Cup.
If Moyes was to drop anyone for Yobo it would be Hibbert but even that would be a strange decision, I think. If he dropped Baines that would be just plain stupid ? he's not only a class defender, he's also a great attacking player, his crosses are sometimes as good as goals!
Moyes should just go for it, don't drop anybody - let Utd worry about us for a change. Teams that have done well against utd have just shown them no respect and attacked them. If we start putting Yobo on Rooney, etc.. we will get beat. You have to be positive in a one-off game, I hope Dithering Dave does not suck up to Fergie before the match... give him some stick like the Spanish waiter did; it did?nt do them any harm (4-1)!
Villa have Carew so aim loads of balls into the box, Man U will play that fat shite and either Tevez or Berbatov, neither prolific headers. As shit as Howard was against Villa, I’m not too worried about him against Man U. Lescott, however, is not having anywhere near the season he had last year and he is by far our most error prone defender. I would replace him with Yobo if Moyes were to change anything.
I dared to question Howard on this site and got slated.
Howard is a decent keeper but that?s it. He makes lots of mistakes and costs us lots of goals. The major problem is that he?s too short (prone to the lob) and cannot command his area. He also loses concentration.
The problem is that he?s the best we can get (most probably) so we should look to support him BUT if we want to take that next step up, Howard is a reserve keeper at best.
Howard is a decent keeper but that?s it. He makes lots of mistakes and costs us lots of goals. The major problem is that he?s too short (prone to the lob) and cannot command his area. He also loses concentration.
The problem is that he?s the best we can get (most probably) so we should look to support him BUT if we want to take that next step up, Howard is a reserve keeper at best.
Tim Howard does not fear for his place.When David Moyes brought in Nash he effectively told Turner and Ruddy that they were shite. Turner is a decent goalkeeper who has been badly treated by Everton. Given a decent run in the side he would prove it. Baines, Gosling and Rodwell were forced onto Moyes through injury. I wish Turner had been as lucky.
is it my imagination or is every goalie in the Prem playing shite ?
I’ve never seen so many westons in such a short space of time. I spent most of last night pissing myself
Lets hope Van der Tart is the next one
I’ve never seen so many westons in such a short space of time. I spent most of last night pissing myself
Lets hope Van der Tart is the next one
Tim has been injured for a couple of weeks. His movement is restricted. Not great, but explains for me his "indecision" on Sunday. Hopefully treatment and rest this week will resolve the problem.
Anthony Dyer.
I never said get players sent, id rather them be booked and them the players to be less influencial. vidic, carrick and rooney are the spine of united, if they are on top of their game we wont win, unfortunately, but they are too good when at their best. If they are booked, they become less influencial and more cautious.
I never said get players sent, id rather them be booked and them the players to be less influencial. vidic, carrick and rooney are the spine of united, if they are on top of their game we wont win, unfortunately, but they are too good when at their best. If they are booked, they become less influencial and more cautious.
Always had my douts about Howard. A good shot stopper but thats it. Cant ever get close to a penatly,always liable to drop a cross. Personally, I was gutted when Given went to City. Best kepper in the P league by a mile and he goes to city for six million... did we even make a offer????
Agree with Alan Clarke. Villa played more like Wimbledon which seemed to unnerve the whole central defence, not just Howard. Manure won?t play that style of game.
A more interesting Q for me is who Moyes will play at right back ? Hibbert, Jacobsen or bring back Yobo in the middle and stick Jags at RB? My head says he?ll give Hibbo another go but to be honest I was quite impressed with Jacobsen when he came on. He looks composed on the ball and I think we need that on Sunday. Wembley is a big pitch with plenty of room to pass & play. Not Hibbo?s strong point IMHO.
In Howard?s defence he did break an Everton record of keeping more clean sheets in his first 100 games for Everton than any other previous keeper for the blues.
I think he is a great keeper and wish him as well as the other lads a great game on Sunday. COYB
I think he is a great keeper and wish him as well as the other lads a great game on Sunday. COYB
I'm just about to listen to the Manchester United game, and I was wondering what Evertonians feel would be the best result tonight to help our chances of success on Sunday? Personally, I feel an energy-sapping United success after extra-time would be best for us. Ferguson might be tempted to rest some of his bigger names for what he feels might be tougher tasks ahead. What does everybody else think?
Howard is suspect with balls on his left. Stoke! Villa! ? to name just two incidents recently.
The Manc?s pointed this out when Everton bought him. Watch him and see what you think.
Hooray Steve!
I was thinking, has Howard not been injured? I know if I have an injury and play sport, it tends to affect my performance. Is this the same for others or am I just a pussy? I think injury is an important factor that us fans (at least me) quite often dismiss.
I think Howard started the season badly but after a few games, he picked up and was good until the Villa game, where I think he looked shaky. That said, the whole defence seemed to be a bit shaky against Villa.
I was thinking, has Howard not been injured? I know if I have an injury and play sport, it tends to affect my performance. Is this the same for others or am I just a pussy? I think injury is an important factor that us fans (at least me) quite often dismiss.
I think Howard started the season badly but after a few games, he picked up and was good until the Villa game, where I think he looked shaky. That said, the whole defence seemed to be a bit shaky against Villa.
I've been thinking for a couple of years that Howard is shite. The amount of times I've seen him ridiculously flapping these last few seasons!
It's all well and good saying "he's a good shot-stopper", but so is my nana if you twat the ball straight at her!
It's all well and good saying "he's a good shot-stopper", but so is my nana if you twat the ball straight at her!
To buy a GK better than Howard would cost cash we don?t have therefore we have to hope he improves. He is a top 10 keeper and does by and large a decent job so it?s not that pressing luckily.
That aside, the main thing that bothers me about Howard is how often he ends up diving into the goal. Somebody should tell him even if he saves it when in the goal it?s still a goal....
That aside, the main thing that bothers me about Howard is how often he ends up diving into the goal. Somebody should tell him even if he saves it when in the goal it?s still a goal....
Fergal O'Regan, if you think Howard is weak on crosses ? personally I don?t think he is that bad and Carew would challenge most keepers ? why the hell would you go for Given, who is absolutely shite on crosses?
Got to take umbrage with Fergal re Given being the best keeper around. He?s too short, simple as. Looked useful at the Toon because every team gets lots of chances against them. Still spent most of his time there fishing it out of the net... continues in same style at City.
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