The Mail Bag
New Goalie
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It's not always a good time to criticise a player when you're basking in the glory of an exciting win but Tim Howard's performances are becoming increasingly poor.
My main concern is he never saves long shots. Having watched yesterday's goals, I was reminded of the cup final, Howard never seems to get much sideways movement on his dives. I actually think he should have had both of Blackburn's goals yesterday and he should have saved Lampard's shot. I also think a decent keeper would have saved Jagielka's own goal in the game against Villa.
I watched the game on Wednesday and yesterday's game on an internet link and the commentators during both games were saying how Howard was struggling with crosses. He was totally to blame for Liverpool's goal and he never seems to get near those balls that are whipped across the 6-yard area.
I think Howard has a lot to do with our poor defence this year. I know Howard has saved a couple of penalties this season (Spurs and West Ham) but his overall contribution this season has been poor even by his own standards. Last season, I would have said he saved us more points than he cost us... but it's the opposite this season.
What does anyone know about this Slovenian keeper we're supposed to be bringing in and is the plan for him to be back-up or replacement for Howard?
Alan Clarke, Posted 18/04/2010 at 06:48:19
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Totally agree. He and Distin are liabilities and need to be replaced!
Definately the wrong time!!!
Have to agree on this. Great athlete and pro. But would he make the top 10 goalies in the prem?
Probably say Cech, Van Der sar, Gomes, Reina, Friedel, Hart, Given, Jaaskelainen are better. Possibly Robert Green, Myhill, and David James as well.
Not ideal for a club with top 4 aspirations.
Probably say Cech, Van Der sar, Gomes, Reina, Friedel, Hart, Given, Jaaskelainen are better. Possibly Robert Green, Myhill, and David James as well.
Not ideal for a club with top 4 aspirations.
I would like to see more of Ruddy but doubt it will happen.
This is bizarre. Have you ever been on a football pitch? Are you watching other games? Tim Howard is one of the best keepers in the world. Whole season he was guilty for one goal and that one was against Liverpool. His form this season is nothing short of outstanding, so to read this kind of observation is total madness. He saved us so many times this season, actually he is making great saves at every game and to say that he should have saved both goals yesterday shows something is really wrong, and it is not Tim Howard.
Finally, who made less errors this season? David James? Gomes? Hart? Given? You must be joking. If you look at each player by position, Tim Howard is probably closest to the world's best that we have. Surely, alongside Leighton Baines and Pienaar he is our player of the season.
"He cost us more point than he saved" — Sorry, Alan but this is shocking. It looks like some of our fans are just searching to spit on someone without thinking twice.
Finally, who made less errors this season? David James? Gomes? Hart? Given? You must be joking. If you look at each player by position, Tim Howard is probably closest to the world's best that we have. Surely, alongside Leighton Baines and Pienaar he is our player of the season.
"He cost us more point than he saved" — Sorry, Alan but this is shocking. It looks like some of our fans are just searching to spit on someone without thinking twice.
Just because he let two long range shots in yesterday, I knew this post would surface. I know that Howard has problems with long shots, also with shots near to the post but I have to defend him somewhat. Firstly, I believe that Blackburn's two goals would have beaten most goalies, secondly, although he should have kept out Jagielka's OG at Villa, he had an otherwise superb night at Villa Park.
I agree that there are better keepers — Pepe Reina for one — but where do Everton get a better keeper at a price that they can afford and one which gives them an incremental value for money? I don't see many possibilities around.
Some joker mentioned Boaz Myhill the other week!
Incidentally, I've see Ruddy quite a few times and I don't rate him as highly as Turner — despite the latter's gaffes.
Howard's as good as there is at he moment despite the need for improvement.
I agree that there are better keepers — Pepe Reina for one — but where do Everton get a better keeper at a price that they can afford and one which gives them an incremental value for money? I don't see many possibilities around.
Some joker mentioned Boaz Myhill the other week!
Incidentally, I've see Ruddy quite a few times and I don't rate him as highly as Turner — despite the latter's gaffes.
Howard's as good as there is at he moment despite the need for improvement.
A bit harsh to label Howard a liablity. He's kept us in games on a number of occassions this season and actually pulled out a number of important saves against Villa.
I do agree we tend to concede an above average amount of goals struck from outside the area though, and at times it seems as though Howard is not expecting a shot to be hit from such distance. However, I would not lay the blame solely on his shoulders.
I do agree we tend to concede an above average amount of goals struck from outside the area though, and at times it seems as though Howard is not expecting a shot to be hit from such distance. However, I would not lay the blame solely on his shoulders.
In my opinion, our midfield and back four are sometimes culpable of backing off players far too often, allowing them the time and space to run forward, unchallenged, and get a shot away unhindered. Paticularly when trying to hold onto a lead we constantly back off to the edge of our own box, defending deeper and deeper, thereby inviting more pressure onto ourselves.
Sam, just read your top 10: Cech, Van der Sar, Gomes, Reina, Hart... I'll concede; I'd add Schwarzwer. Given, great shot stopper but struggles with high shots and as bad as Tim with crosses; Jaaskelainen, great shotstopper but holds nothing; Friedel — good keeper but probably nearing end of his career; Robert Green, good keeper but erratic and prone to blunders; David James, ditto; Myhill — don't make me laugh ...he had superb game at Tottenham but then was dropped yesterday in favour of Duke.
Where does the affordable better goalkeeper come from? Maybe we've got him already — Mucha?
Where does the affordable better goalkeeper come from? Maybe we've got him already — Mucha?
Ray...Myhill was a bit of a jest.
James, Green and Jasskelainen probably on a par with Howard.
Don't think you can argue with Given though. Surely the most consistent Premier League goalie over the last 6 or 7 years!
Milos... sorry but just no. Great shot stopper but no dominance of his area and beaten too often by long shots to be anywhere near the best in the world!!
James, Green and Jasskelainen probably on a par with Howard.
Don't think you can argue with Given though. Surely the most consistent Premier League goalie over the last 6 or 7 years!
Milos... sorry but just no. Great shot stopper but no dominance of his area and beaten too often by long shots to be anywhere near the best in the world!!
Not many keepers would have stopped the first goal. He is nowhere near as bad as people are making out. I would say only Cech, Reina and Van der Sar were better.
Milos, if Tim Howard is one of the best in the world, Alex Ferguson would never have sold him to us.
My big problem with Howard is not his shot-stopping ability which IMO is pretty good, it's the fact that he is a nervous wreck in some games and that obviously rubs off on the defenders.
I don't think he has the bottle to be in a top 4 team which is why Ferguson replaced him.
He has the ability which is evidenced by some of his saves but lacks the strength of mind in some games.
I don't think he has the bottle to be in a top 4 team which is why Ferguson replaced him.
He has the ability which is evidenced by some of his saves but lacks the strength of mind in some games.
Howard is a good goalkeeper and has been a good buy for us. I don’t blame him for the odd mistake – that’s why we have erasers on the end of our pencils (I cleaned that up for our US audience, but the result looks even worse). Nor do I blame him for failing to save impossible shots.
My concern is more that he lacks a real presence in the box. The greatest goalkeepers had a domineering presence – think of Southall’s body language when he was at his best. Southall’s confidence transmitted itself to his fellow defenders, who played better as a result, and also to opponents who felt that had to do something exceptional to beat him.
Moysie’s previous goalkeeper signings have been either experienced cover or high potentials. I think Mucha is different. I sense that this is real competition for Howard for the first time.
My concern is more that he lacks a real presence in the box. The greatest goalkeepers had a domineering presence – think of Southall’s body language when he was at his best. Southall’s confidence transmitted itself to his fellow defenders, who played better as a result, and also to opponents who felt that had to do something exceptional to beat him.
Moysie’s previous goalkeeper signings have been either experienced cover or high potentials. I think Mucha is different. I sense that this is real competition for Howard for the first time.
Bring back the BIN MAN! Now that's a keeper...
Howard's good enough, he has little moments but he's generally consistent. We could improve on him, there are better goalkeepers, but with our limited budget that's one position I'm definitely not looking for us to spend money.
Hopefully next season we'll see some competition and/or rotation with a first choice international in Jan Mucha and possibly even a returning John Ruddy, who's coming off the back of an apparently highly impressive season in Scotland.
I see Howard being first choice and maintaining high standards given that situation.
Hopefully next season we'll see some competition and/or rotation with a first choice international in Jan Mucha and possibly even a returning John Ruddy, who's coming off the back of an apparently highly impressive season in Scotland.
I see Howard being first choice and maintaining high standards given that situation.
I meant to add in that judging a goalkeeper after they've played a Sam Allardyce team, with all the high balls, crowds of players and blatant blocking of the goalkeeper isn't really fair either. Howard may have looked a little flappy yesterday, but I think we actually dealt well with all that.
I agree that at times he's had a problem with long shots, and I don't think he sets up free kicks and walls well, but neither of yesterday's goals would have been stopped by any keeper.
I agree that at times he's had a problem with long shots, and I don't think he sets up free kicks and walls well, but neither of yesterday's goals would have been stopped by any keeper.
Wrong time, and wrong player! Howard is easily Top 3 keepers in the League.
I think that if he did have any problem it is a lack of competition.
Mucha I can't see being any different.
Personally I think Ruddy has had an assured spell in Scotland (weaker league grantted), but bring him back as 2nd choice/League cup keeper and get him around the squad. I think he has the makings.
But back to the main point Howard is not a liability.
I think that if he did have any problem it is a lack of competition.
Mucha I can't see being any different.
Personally I think Ruddy has had an assured spell in Scotland (weaker league grantted), but bring him back as 2nd choice/League cup keeper and get him around the squad. I think he has the makings.
But back to the main point Howard is not a liability.
I'm used to being unequivocal and opinionated on all things blue. But this is one of those areas where I see both sides of the argument and end up in a kind of middle ground. On the one hand, he's no Gordon, Nev or Nige — but on the other, neither is his keeperly quirkiness as worrying as, for example, Burnley's beastly Jensen. Did anyone see him nearly crap himself/cry into his towel the other week? I thought they were going to have to bring on the team psychotherapist at one point. It's a thankless job this keeping lark.
Howard is nowhere near the top keepers in the League, I am sorry. Take off the blue-tinted specs.
For me Craig Gordon is the keeper I would most like to see in blue. He is outstanding. Then you have Given, Hart, Reina, Cech, Jaaskelainen etc who are all better.
For me Craig Gordon is the keeper I would most like to see in blue. He is outstanding. Then you have Given, Hart, Reina, Cech, Jaaskelainen etc who are all better.
Howard is no where near the top keepers in the League i am sorry. Take of the blue tinted specs.
For me Craig Gordon is the keeper i would most like to see in blue. He is outstanding. Then you have Given, Hart, Reina, Cech, Jaaskelainen etc who are all better.
For me Craig Gordon is the keeper i would most like to see in blue. He is outstanding. Then you have Given, Hart, Reina, Cech, Jaaskelainen etc who are all better.
The standard of goalkeeping in English football is as low as it has ever been. Tim Howard has the same ups and downs as the rest of them and to blame him for the goals yesterday is a little harsh. Like most modern goalkeepers, he favours one hand, e.g diving to the right and still trying to tip the ball over the crossbar with his right hand.
We have been spoiled at Everton by having, in Neville Southall, the best goalkeeper I've ever seen. Southall, Jennings, Yashin and Banks set standards which no current or recent Premier League goalkeeper come remotely close to.
Just seen the 2 goals on MotD2 just now (subjected to the dreadful Fulham v Wolves yesterday). Not quite sure how you can blame Howard for either of those two: first was 30 yards out curling away, probably a candidate for goal of the season; the other a 25-yard corker dipping just in front of him.
He may be at times slightly erratic, but certainly not terrible and not one of our main worries in the transfer window.
He may be at times slightly erratic, but certainly not terrible and not one of our main worries in the transfer window.
Want to clarify my original response....
I think Howard is a very good keeper. Reflexes are top notch & is very good in most other areas. His distribution is sub par, but not everybody can be Reina or Barthez.
It just stumps me as to why he struggles to stop so many shots from 25 yards.
I think Howard is a very good keeper. Reflexes are top notch & is very good in most other areas. His distribution is sub par, but not everybody can be Reina or Barthez.
It just stumps me as to why he struggles to stop so many shots from 25 yards.
To be fair, Blackburn's first goal took a wicked deflection. It was so slight it moved the ball about 2 feet to Howard's left but without slowing the ball down. Whatever Howard's weaknesses are, I don't think any goalie would have saved that one.
His weakness is his fondness for the line....I don't mean the same line as Fowler though.
He relies upon his extremely quick reflexes to save himself but I would love to see him coming off the line and taking out the opposing player and the defender at the same time and players will soon start worrying about him clattering them. It will make a difference in a players mindset, and we all know the protection most keepers get.
He relies upon his extremely quick reflexes to save himself but I would love to see him coming off the line and taking out the opposing player and the defender at the same time and players will soon start worrying about him clattering them. It will make a difference in a players mindset, and we all know the protection most keepers get.
I don't think it's the wrong time. We won against Blackburn in spite of Howard. The second goal was an awful one to let in, he just didn't move He had an age to see it and it was a nice height. His shot stopping is good at close range but he's always been weak on long shots (see that Blackburn game we lost 4-1 in the cup). His ability on crosses is poor and he doesn't marshall his defence very well. He doesn't deal with balls into the 6 yard area either but apart from that he's in the top 3 in the league! Craig Taylor, do you watch Everton and do you watch any other teams play to come to your opinion?
I sit in the Park End and have a good unrestricted view of Howard for a half every game and if I was playing in front of him I would not be filled with confidence this season.
I sit in the Park End and have a good unrestricted view of Howard for a half every game and if I was playing in front of him I would not be filled with confidence this season.
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1 Posted 18/04/2010 at 13:02:52
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His technique seems alright, so I've always assumed it's a timing or dive/reading of flight issue.
The cup goal last season? That was technique — a one-handed reach would have tipped it around the post and we'd be talking about what a wonderful save it was.