Howard not concerned with criticism

"Well, weÂ’re not [in a relegation battle]," Howard retorted.

This is driving me to drink.
CanÂ’t he read?

He also gave an interesting nod to the effect of social media, though, later on in the interview:

"I think most players are temperamental and their confidence kind of ebbs and flows with what gets said about them on Twitter and Instagram in the media.

"They read all that and feel good about themselves if itÂ’s great, and not so good if itÂ’s not great."

Not surprising, of course. They donÂ’t live in a bubble.

As the song goes; Â’Time to say goodbye.Â’

The dressing room may well have strong characters and each of the players may well be happy to work with each other on a daily basis but if those attributes arenÂ’t taken out on to the pitch in every match it means little or nothing to the fans who pay to watch the team.

ItÂ’s like the participants in a BK production explaining how wonderful everything is backstage and how brilliant it all was in the dress rehearsals - it wonÂ’t stop the paying public asking for a refund if the performance was dreadful.

I always believed that top performers in any walk of life are prone to examine their faults as well as their attributes and then to honestly assess where they can improve - not season by season but match by match.

If you donÂ’t acknowledge thereÂ’s a problem, youÂ’re never going to put it right. HeÂ’s unbelievably lucky that heÂ’s still first choice.

He is being rewarded by RM by getting picked week after week despite his perfomances.

Teachers pet comes to mind.

By the way - anyone else think HowardÂ’s huge drop in form has coincided with him growing that ugly looking mop of hair on his chin?

Yes, thatÂ’s because thereÂ’s more to look at above us.
FFS.

The spin coming out of this club is nauseating.
Is Peter Mandelson now on the board?

If itÂ’s not Martinez talking crap, itÂ’s Mirallas or Garbutt or Jags or Howard. They think weÂ’re mugs.

Just shut it and do your job.

Not in a relegation battle!

The booze has ran out.
Where are my pills?

If there has been dissent amongst the ranks (Distin, Eto’o) favouritism is going to be more fervent. It’s probably why our top summer transfer target’s Tom Cleverley – as Martinez knows he’s receptive to his ideas on how the game should be played.

I canÂ’t think of many other reasons why the worst goalkeeper in the Prem would be picked week-in, week-out, when weÂ’ve got a good replacement who can do a job until we evaluate things in the summer.

He is a strong guy mentally, I agree that we need his experience in the dressing room, BUT that does NOT automatically mean he should start every game.

Even Distin was benched, and I think he was scapegoated as Roberto would never dare to rip into "his № 1 goalkeeper".

I submit I have never seen a more deluded manager in the Premier League,

He cleary refuses to SEE the truth because the truth does not FIT into his tiny brain.

So when will we be in a relegation battle then? When we are in the bottom three?

If we lose against Newcastle and get beat by QPR next Sunday and the other results go against us then the only thing keeping us out of the bottom three would be goal difference.

Tim, as you Yanks are fond of saying... "Whatever!"

Howard is just not a winner and that is why he is such a poor keeper. He doesnÂ’t have that extra mental edge to get that 10% extra out of himself now heÂ’s a bit older. Once his reflexes went a few years back, his game has gone downhill since and heÂ’s done nothing to rectify it. Other keepers work more and more on their positioning to counteract this so that they can remain keepers at the top level (eg, Van Der Sar, Cech) but you still see Howard flying across his goal trying to pull of ridiculous dives that heÂ’s not quick enough to get anywhere near any more.

Bringing him straight back in was the worst moment of the season and just showed that he doesnÂ’t need to uphold any standard whatsoever. HeÂ’s payed a huge part dragging us into the relegation mire and his continuous cockups in the Europa league have been rescued by Lukaku an Co. I fear he may well have even put us out already with his ridiculous show on Thursday.

I canÂ’t see us keeping a single clean sheet form now until the end of the season which is ridiculous when you think he has two top centrebacks in front of him. ThatÂ’s how bad he is. This interview is a slap in the face as well to fans who have long accepted mediocrity from him in a way fans of Manchester United for example never did. ItÂ’s almost saying, "Why are you getting on our backs? WeÂ’ve given you loads of good years previously."

What they donÂ’t realise as a group of players is that the previous years werenÂ’t good enough either, just merely tolerable, yet, if they make top 10, this group bar one or two seem to consider that good enough for Everton and the fans should be happy enough.

TimÂ’s time should be well and truly up with Everton as he was shot as a top keeper about 2 seasons ago and I hope his precious ego is reading this. If he was really a top pro with any pride, he would retire to a lesser league this summer. HeÂ’ll be too busy though with his deckchair out, picking up his massive wage for guiding Everton into the top ten every season.

I dread today at GP watching this tool in goal. The day cannot come soon enough for me when Howard & RM are gone from our club.

This season has been nothing short of a disaster (Europa League apart). I hate to say it but watching the blues this season has more often than not made me cringe with embarrassment...

Except youÂ’re not Â’takingÂ’ it from the interview, rather Â’insertingÂ’ it. Howard doesnÂ’t mention anything at all about tactics of the manager and proceeds to point out that the players are a close knit bunch who are all on the same page and Â’putting in the effortÂ’.

ThereÂ’s a number of genuine nob-jockey comments coming out of the goal concederÂ’s mouth there. Why not latch onto one of those, instead of formulating some half-arsed theory that canÂ’t possibly be gleaned from what the guy actually said?

After the shite of the first 25 minutes, they seemed to reach a crescendo in the atmosphere. It was definitely NOT against Barkley or any individual, it just seemed to be against everything?? Difficult to explain but you could not only sense and hear it you could actually feel it.

It just transmitted itself to the players and you could actually see the indecision in their intentions. Players could actually hear individual comments about how shite it was. They thought about changing passes. The rest is history.

It was quite surreal to see it but it worked. I just hope these arseholes are ready for similar on Sunday!!!

Now I read this article and which suggests he doesnÂ’t care at all about social media and what we have to say? Hmmmm.... Make up your mind, Tim. Butt hurt to be sure.

Sounds like a very productive way to support your team by posting abuse on a playerÂ’s social media account. Keep up the good work.

Never ever rated him. Last season was despite him, not because of him and he, along with Martinez, is the main cause of this catastrophic season.

Body language and listening to him, suggests his teammates are thinking along similar lines too.

What I canÂ’t agree with is abusing him over social media. A contradiction maybe, but at the match heÂ’s fair game; over the Internet? Not for me!

I wish the manager and the players would take some responsibility and just admit when performances arenÂ’t good enough. That is the root of the problem with this club at the moment. Look how candid Gus Poyet was about his shortcomings after yesterdayÂ’s match.

"To hell with the criticism"... "IÂ’m not fussed what people say"... "I come to work everyday.... so itÂ’s not a concern"... "ItÂ’s not something IÂ’m going to worry about."

So, Tim, you think weÂ’re all sitting in the pub having a beer and getting all worked up for nothing? ... give me strength!

I know thereÂ’s not much view when youÂ’re so far up your own backside but LOOK at your performances man and our position in the table.

Wake up. man, we are in serious trouble here, trouble you have helped get us into...

"I don’t know, it is not something I am going to worry about." – The above quotes from Howard show what a bubble they are in.

Most of my life working on the road had to justify (and be paid by) monthly sales. What a wonderful life I could have had if I could have said "Sod it, lets leave it for 12 months then look at how I have performed; if good, great – I want a rise; if bad, so what? I will try a bit harder next time." But meantime the money rolls in good or bad.

I really do not like to criticise plays as I have taken the view they play, or try to play, to the managerÂ’s instructions; if not comfortable, or not skilled enough, they will fall short and, the more they try, the worse it can get. But when an experienced player who is having a poor season quotes he does not look at his performance for a season, denies that with only few points off the bottom three that we are not in a relegation fight, then I like many others wonder what is going on at this club.

I just hope that, when the season is over, they do not all meet in a closed room wondering how they got relegated, before going on there well-earned holidays to rest before starting with their new club or playing in the Championship with their Premier League wages, not worrying about how they do as they pass sideways and fall down the league, but not to worry we will look how we have done at the end of the season!!

Yes, I would expect it from Mirallas who really does play for himself and we already know EtoÂ’o was totally single minded but Howard after the season heÂ’s had ?

In his defence, he has taken a right hammering here and on social media and has every right to defend himself. But well judged comments? I think not.

My issue with him isnÂ’t just his God awful performances itÂ’s the fact heÂ’s affecting those in front of him by creating uncertainty.

One point per game average, most number of individual mistakes, fans praying for a clean sheet, lowest ever PL points haul, worst season in over 70 years, no league win at home for 4 months.

WhatÂ’s it going to take for the truth to dawn on you Tim? Because IÂ’ll promise this, if we get relegated you wonÂ’t be welcome on Merseyside as youÂ’re the player most at fault.

So today on Mothers Day, Evertonians playing or spectating, give "The Grand Old Lady" only the very best.

Oh by the way Timmy look at the table you deluded gobshite. We are deep in the shite thanks to you. Remember Leicester recently ?
Sorry if I offended you. You sensitive arrogant tool.

Martinez picks him. No one else.

It was very unusual for Mr President to call and congratulate players who had lost to Little Belgium in the round of 16.

TimÂ’s standards have dropped due to lack of competition, and despite Robles improvement, Martinez has allowed Tim to walk straight back in.
No meritocracy, no pressure.
I know a goalieÂ’s mistakes are amplified compared to other players, but good keepers do all the routine stuff, and then pull off saves that keep you in games that you should be losing.
Tim rarely does this these days, and unfortunately often does inexplicable things that panic his defence and cost us goals.

Out of touch with reality and the fan-base.

Please, please, pretty please with sugar and a cherry on top- could we have those 2 wins on the bounce Tim.

Thanking you in advance

worried, Essex.

And to the posters that have pointed out that heÂ’s not the worst goalie weÂ’ve had (very true) I will counter that with the old cliche that youÂ’re only as good as your last game; sport is probably the most darwinesque of human activities-succeed or die, and with the bearded one between the sicks weÂ’re dying.

LetÂ’s see what happens today. Let it be 3 points to us football gods.

Apart from the massive hike in wages they receive, we can choose from a worldwide pool of talent. That means our Â’keeper should be one of finest in World football (I bet heÂ’s one of highest paid, anyway)

Comparing Howard to a chubby smoker whoÂ’s diet consisted of steak and chips before a game is not really comparing apples with apples, is it?

And whilst IÂ’m at it "Least favourite Everton player of all Time"!! What sort of parallel football universe have you been living in if Tim Howard is at the top of any least/worst lists - unless it is your list of least favourite beards.

There we have it then, Kevin.
Time to wipe Dixies records from the history books

Yes, Howard has been better than Wright, Simonson, Gerrard, Westerveld, Bardsen, Mucha, and that German reserve keeper Moysie signed. He was probably better than some from yesteryear too. But if you judge Tim Howard on this seasons form, and that alone, heÂ’s a contender for the worst keeper to ever wear the Everton GK jersey.

No need for the personal insults obviously...but if thatÂ’s really his mindset then he needs mental help.

On the plus side, he couldnÂ’t do that much worse if he was wearing a straitjacket.

Spot on,up until your last comma.

Kevin Tully #68
"Do you think he would score 60 a season against P.L. defenders, Peter?"
WeÂ’ll never know, just as weÂ’ll never know for sure (but I can guess) that Ronaldo wouldnÂ’t last more than one tackle in the Dean years.This topic is worth a thread on itÂ’s own...

Basically, Howard is well past his best, but he doesnÂ’t pick himself. Nor does Osman, but heÂ’ll still get a dogÂ’s abuse with his first mistake.

Every goal that goes in now has someone blaming him, some seem obsessed with his beard ffs.

We then have an idiot coming on openly boasting that they have managed to be blocked for trolling one of our own players via social media and now Gavin wants us to believe " he is a contender for the worst keeper to ever wear the Everton GK jersey" ....... Seriously.

HereÂ’s what IÂ’m going to do. IÂ’m going to put my strong reservations about our future under the current regime to one side and get in the car, drive to the game and support my team because given our current state itÂ’s probably going to be a bit more productive than whingeing and wining. Otherwise I might as well support Sunderland.

After reading shite like this and following Baines comments in the week something is really rotten at our club, this season canÂ’t end soon enough for me, Martinez out in the summer and take this arrogant twat with you please!

In this regard itÂ’s appropriate (but perhaps not in the way he intended...) that Phil Sammon @ 67 writes:

"...if thatÂ’s really his mindset then he needs mental help.
On the plus side, he couldnÂ’t do that much worse if he was wearing a straitjacket."

Alluding to mental health and straight jackets jeminds me of Jack NicholsonÂ’s McMurphy in Â’One Flew Over The CuckooÂ’s NestÂ’ recognizing how the evil Nurse Ratched manipulates patients by making them turn on each other as a way to emasculate and control them.

McMurphy describes the process as "a bunch of chickens at a peckinÂ’ party."

And thatÂ’s what so many of threads such as this degenerate into ... loads of squawking and clucking by an angry flock, trying to outdo the others in their indignation and condemnation.

THÂ’s had a shit season. His interview quite rightly is being challenged by some. But many comments and observations are waaaaayyyyy OTT IMO and says a great deal more about the mindset of the posters than that of TH or any other player lambasted on this pages in a similar vein in recent weeks.

Talk about setting yourself up for a fall! Dear oh dear!!

In his and any other GKs defence;whoÂ’d be a goalie? A striker can miss 6 sitters and score 1 and end up the hero, whereas a goalie can make 6world class saves and 1 howler that results in a goal and thatÂ’s the one thatÂ’s remembered.

But that is the nature of the beast and always has been, TH,IMO has always been a flapper and has never looked comfortable commanding his 6yrd area, but has been a better than average shot stopper. Even that has deserted him; get shut ASAP or weÂ’re going down.

This afternoonÂ’s game will tell me whether or not there is really power in prayer !

Relax, enjoy todayÂ’s game and remember that if we lose, heÂ’s picked the team and tactics, if we win itÂ’s all down to the crowd and the ghost of managers previous.

You might want to challenge your bookie friend to a spread bet - 41 points is very ambitious!

HeÂ’s seen how Joel Robles performed in his absence and itÂ’s got to him. HeÂ’s yet to keep a clean sheet since he got back in, flapping at crosses and bad decision-making. Sorry Tim for me its a no. Go quietly at the end of the season. Oh, and yes, we are in a relegation battle.

I think you are confusing opinion with fact.

From my seat, I saw the "contender for the worst keeper ever to wear the Everton GK jerseyÂ’Â’ have an impeccable game including two top-class saves. It even seems we are no longer in a relegation battle.

How does the saying go... "ItÂ’s a funny old game"

I make no defence of TH. I explicitly say the criticism of THÂ’s interview and his form this season is understandable and justified. WhatÂ’s bizarre about that?

I offered my personal opinion on a more general point on the frenzied hen peckinÂ’ that invariably threads such as these degenerate into.

Not too bizarre for you to understand I hope, that IÂ’m expressing a personally held opinion and exercising my right as an Evertonian to post on an Everton-related matter on a public forum dedicated to the club I support, as contrarian as it may be to your own opinion...?

He made a good save today, which IÂ’ll give him credit for. But it will take a lot of saves like that and more than one clean sheet in how many games before he reaches the level he used to be at.

For those claiming he has cost us 12-15 points – again, what games? For those claiming last season was despite him, you do realize his stats were better overall in the main key areas of saves per goal, distribution, saves, and effectiveness than Cech, De Gea, and Lloris last season? So how could he not have been responsible for 12-15 points to the good last season then?

You posters complain about Mirallas and Lukaku (guess you are also eating your words about him) saying they might want to leave someday but guys like Howard and Baines, you are ready to trash and replace instantly even though they have stayed loyal to the club.

If you put your head on the right way up you might do better.

I think he has been EvertonÂ’s worst player this year and he is past his best, whatever that amounted to. He has been paid, IMO, much, much more than his ability warranted.

I will ignore my aversion to anyone calling it the EPL. ItÂ’s the fucking league, always has been always will be.

Let me just explain the difference between fact and opinion. WeÂ’ll start with an easy one,

Fact: Everton are 14th in the league;
Opinion: Everton are the 14th best team in the league

You see where IÂ’m going here?

Fact: Tim Howard has the lowest percentage of saves per shots.
Opinion: Tim Howard is the worst keeper in the league.

IÂ’ve ignored the errors stat because that is even worse, an opinion based on someoneÂ’s opinion of what is an error or not.

Anyway IÂ’ve done some statistical analysis of my own based on this weekendÂ’s games. Aston Villa are the best side in the country, Mourinho is an average manager and Sergio Aguero is one of the worst strikers of the last two days with an appallingly bad strike rate of zero goals per game.

IÂ’ve always thought he was the epitome of a dodgy keeper but this season itÂ’s got way beyond a joke.

Decent save today though.

Well, Howard was aiming more for the Woodsman from Red Riding Hood look, Graham.

Link

Who could resist?

Even taking this into account, only his most biggest supporters would deny that his form this season has not been as it was, and, as it should be for an Everton goalkeeper.

However, he kept a clean sheet for 90 minutes yesterday and made 1 good save so I will be eating my words because it seems that the rest of this season does not count.... USA, USA etc.

Have watched it many times over the years.

Made in 1980, it tells the story of an Aussie Rules football club and provides hilarious insights into the running of a professional sports club - the players, coaches, chairman, board etc.

The reason I mention it is because against Kiev, just before they scored, Howard did something (or rather didnÂ’t do something) that reminded me of a moment from the film.

IÂ’ve just discovered the entire film is now on youtube (link below) and I recommend it thoroughly, but if you want to see the moment IÂ’m talking about, start at 39.30 and watch the next minute (for Howard, see Â’HeywoodÂ’)

My favourite line from the film comes from ex-club legend, board member and Â’manÂ’s manÂ’, Jock (the Â’SharpyÂ’ of the film).

"I remember having a shocking game, went home and my missus Dulcie told me IÂ’d had a bad game.....so I thumped her. She apologised later but by then the damage had been done"

The Club - Link

(nb: Â’The CastleÂ’ and Â’DonÂ’s PartyÂ’ - two more great Aussie comedies)

He probably thinks along the lines of the old Chubby Brown line for hecklers, "If you where that important the seat would facing fucking you"

30 odd games?, how about 8 fucking years....

I will always go back to the Chelsea semi in the Carling Cup, when the fucking diminutive Eddie Murphy look alike out jumped him and Lescott in the final minute to make it 2-1 at their gaffe.

The size of the fecker, he should be clearing every fecker out.... the ref will never call it against you

HeÂ’s not been a terrible keeper for us as some have suggested but heÂ’s certainly not the best.

I wish he would shut up and go and pack his bags now though. He is a bearded bell-end and always has been IMO.

Those claiming Howard flaps at crosses either donÂ’t watch or have no idea. Again, I reference the fan who claimed Howard should have charged almost 16 yards off his line to get the cross before Moses headed it in. Insanity. I watched Howard play and have read the comments about crosses and he does what he always has and has been good enough for Everton and the USA (Our goalkeeper advanced out of group l at the World Cup right?).

I also donÂ’t go after every cross if it is too far out, there is traffic, it is a driving rain, or it is high and going to clear my posts since I presumably have defenders to take care of the rest. I also have a player on my near post and back post.

So Howard is not that popular by the sounds of it. WhatÂ’s that old saying if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all.