Everton eye Burnley's Heaton as Howard ponders future

Relegated. He certainly fits the Martinez criterion.

Actually, that comment annoyed even me! Howard needs replacing. Any steps towards that should be applauded.

Yes please! Howard go home!

Sounds like a good deal to me. Burnley may have been relegated but they didnÂ’t concede many goals. Should be reasonably cheap.

On the other hand, I think it's just paper talk. Howard has stated more than once that he intends to finish his contract and career at Everton. He even said he doesnÂ’t see himself working in Football.

Although there would surely be huge offers for him in US if he wanted to go for money. HeÂ’s a superstar over there.

Good deal – can’t stand another season of watching Flappy Howard cost us vital points. He’s spent and needs to go.

Having seen the Burnley match live and in living colour, I was impressed with HeatonÂ’s performance, and he saw fit to rollock his defence (including Michael Duff, who is probably old enough to be his dad!).

It was always silly to restore Howard as soon as he was fit. Robles had looked awful initially, but began to grow after those few games.

I hope for everyoneÂ’s sake Howard goes before this affects his form. Of course IÂ’d rather have him stay on top form, but just donÂ’t see how thatÂ’ll happen.

Well, it's going to be horrible for him being away from his kids so it makes sense to go home. He hasnÂ’t really got anything left to prove and his performances last season were pretty abysmal.

I'd be happy to give Robles the shirt and have a good back up as cover. Heaton looks a good keeper. Whether it's family or performance-related, I think Tim Howard's time at Everton is coming to an end.

According to my dad, whoÂ’s read HowardÂ’s book, the crux that this story is based on is that HowardÂ’s kids and wife have been in the UK all this time which is absolute rubbish.

Howard split up with his wife during MoyesÂ’s tenure and the kids have been living in America since.

Heaton was an ever-present in BurnleyÂ’s relegation season, conceding more goals than all but three of his goalkeeping peers.

Nonetheless, the paucity of English keepers saw him rewarded with a call-up to the England squad for last weekÂ’s Internationals.

Previous to his signing for Burnley, he had spent most of his years with Man Utd on loan to clubs in the Football League and only in one season at Old Trafford was he regarded as their Â’first reserveÂ’ goalie. His lone first-team appearance was in a friendly game.

An inspired signing (if it happens)? No. But as a reserve to the iffy Robles, I guess heÂ’ll do.

Tom Heaton is a good keeper with a future ahead of him.

LetÂ’s be honest, even if Howard was a truly World Class goalkeeper, which we know he is not, at the age of 36 it's getting to the point of knowing when to let go.

We certainly need to be planning life for a new Number 1 and it should be starting now. Ideally you think a keeperÂ’s best years would be between the age of 26- 34 so Tom Heaton would fit this bracket near enough.

Personally I feel that perhaps Tim has another couple of good seasons in him but can appreciate those who have doubts.
What does annoy me is the insulting and abusive comments made about him after the service and respect he has shown this club.

Bill (#11),

Well said mate. I personally am not a fan of his and believe he is rated higher than he should be, but you canÂ’t deny the service he has given the club. Our longest serving goalkeeper since Big Nev deserves a bit more respect from certain quarters.

The same with Osman!

If Tim was to leave, that would be great, he has been a good keeper but not great. I would like to see us go for a couple of German keepers: Ron-Robert Zieler or Kevin Trapp, they would not cost a fortune.

Bill, the flak Tim has taken on here is as nothing to that accorded to Hibbo and Ossie over the years. I wonder who will be next to the Â’should never grace our team againÂ’ treatment?

You also have to question what his concentration and commitment to the cause would be next season knowing his family are back home in the States.

Ideally heÂ’d stay for one more year, but not as Number 1.

Heaton or whoever else we pursue should be coming in to be the main man next season if Martinez clearly has doubts over Robles.

Ron-Robert Zieler, Kevin Trapp, Kasper Schmeichel, Tom Heaton, Asmir Begovic, Jasper Cillessen, Mathew Ryan, Roberto Jiminez, Neto – surely anyone will do.

Dreams do come true – off you go, Timmy!

How is Heaton does anyone know?

Best news I have heard all year! Getting rid of Howard would save us 10 points a season with an able replacement. I like Heaton but there are plenty of options out there that would be an improvement on Tim.

I said during the season we would see if Martinez was ruthless enough to keep his job. I know if my job and reputation were on the line, there would be no room for sentiment. All the stats show Howard was one of the worst performing Â’keepers in Europe last season, a ridiculous drop in form. It shows how badly he performed when we were all shouting for Robles to keep his place!

WeÂ’ve seen Hart dropped along with Mingolet and other Â’keepers last season, and I always said Martinez needed to sort this position out, more than any other. Letting Howard go would give me some hope the manager can make the difficult decisions, but looking back at the Distin situation, maybe heÂ’s more ruthless than weÂ’ve given him credit for.

Howard cost us at least 10 points last season, so it’s time to say goodbye – that’s modern sport. Nothing against the fella, he’s just not good enough any more. He was only average at his peak anyway.

HowardÂ’s best years were during that little spell between about 2006 to 2009 when we had quite a solid backbone to the team with central defenders like a younger Jagielka and Lescott, Yobo was also no slouch, a fine athlete and then came Distin for a while.

He has never been a great keeper, good shot stopper but never commands his area or installs enough confidence trust or composure in his defence.

Tim is still a great shot-stopper... one of the best. That’s where his strengths lie... but the other aspects of goal keeping he has issues with – decision-making, commanding his area, etc. He’s been great for the club but it is time to move on. Good luck back home, mate.

If Martinez did not have enough faith in Robles when he kept a couple of clean sheets, why did he buy him from his former club in the first place?

Tim has had some daft moments over the last few seasons, but his only real failings, apart from the odd moment of madness, are his unwillingness to commit to taking on the cross, and his reluctance to come off his line to mop up in the 6-yard box.

His handling though is excellent, and he plays best with a commanding centre-half in front of him. DistinÂ’s demise, and the earlier departure of Lescott, and Yobo has left him exposed.

He has made some outstanding saves this season, like the marvellous dive at Swansea to tip GomisÂ’s goal-bound rocket around the post. A goalkeeping mistake is always more memorable than any of the ones that his team-mates make, and last season there were lots of worse offenders than Tim Taliban.

We would have to spend a lot of money to get a good quality replacement, so our best bet is to see Robles given a proper chance.

Heaton was very good for Burnley last year and I thought he would be around 25 because I had never heard of him before. However, it turns out he is 29! Not that old for a keeper but it makes me wonder if last season was a one-off...

A good goalkeeper has to catch crosses anywhere near his penalty spot, as well as being a good shot-stopper. Just having a goalkeeper who is a good shot-stopper is certainly not enough.

While I cannot comment with authority on the keeper skills of Robles Howard and Heaton, at age 36 you need to look ahead to the future. As an American who appreciates HowardÂ’s contribution to the game, I think he would do well to play out his career in the States and help forward the level of play in the MLS.

I will always thank him for helping me find the greatest team in the PL. Regardless of who is between the pipes, I will always be a Blue.

I donÂ’t know where this Â’good shot-stopperÂ’ tag has come from? Worst save percentage in the whole League last season:

Link

@Phil:311 Ex-United too, probably get something knocked off the Fellaini transfer as well.

Good shot-stopper and generally OK when committed and concentrated but last season saw a massive dip in form and confidence. He's always been weak at commanding his area and bottling it even when at his best.

I would love to get Bergovic and thought the Slovenian keeper Samir Handanovic wasnÂ’t too bad although I can't see him leaving Inter Milan.

Jan Oblak is also pretty good but cant see Kim Jong Bill wanting to splash out on him. Wonder if our Euro correspondent Erik Dols has identified any decent keepers? Over to you Erik.

Should have a look at Timo Horn of Köln FC – I've seen him several times... looks good.

Dean (#343),

I agree 100%. The personal abuse that the keyboard warriors on here dish out is continually unpleasant.

Tim Howard is essentially a decent man, and a great professional who has kept himself in amazing shape and always been extremely respectful to his peers and our club.

I happen to believe that he has been an excellent Everton player during his time here. He had a poor season last year, and it might be time for him to move along. LetÂ’s not forget however, that he had an excellent season in particular in 2013-14. Statistically, EvertonÂ’s defence and goalkeeper OVER-performed by some margin in our Â’record seasonÂ’ (relative to the number of shots we faced), which suggests that out 72-points was not going to be sustainable.

As an exiled Liverpudlian living in the US, I can tell you that Tim Howard is the main reason we have developed such a strong and passionate following over here. That in itself makes him worthy of respect. These fans CHOSE to support our under-achieving club, and in the main bring a positive exuberance to their support that is a pleasure to behold, especially when placed in juxtaposition with the jaded cynicism that many of us (unfortunately) bring to the table.

If it is time for him to leave – and I think it might be – hopefully he will get the send-off and good wishes that he deserves, as does any great servant to Everton Football Club.

Needs to lose the beard though, quickly too.

Time to ditch Howard. Send him back to America ASAP. He was a liability last season and MartinezÂ’s decision to put him straight back in after 3 clean sheets for Joel was a sackable offence considering how embarrassing his performances were.

Any keeper would do. Oliver Baumann, Jack Butland, Kasper Schmeichel, Begovic.

I donÂ’t understand the Begovic shouts at all. HeÂ’s as gaff-prone as Howard and was terrible against us at Goodison last season. We can and should do better.

I just wish weÂ’d jumped for Cech in January but I doubt a) whether heÂ’d have come and b) whether we could have afforded him.

Tim has been a loyal servant but every season he costs us vital points with his elementary mistakes. How many times has he let in goals standing next to his post, or been chipped because he goes down too quickly or caught out at crosses leading to goals? Too many for my liking.

These are basic skills any top goalie should command. Tim does the spectacular but he is often caught out trying to do the ordinary. IÂ’d replace him now.

Burnley never got hammered by anyone, and a few of their season ticket holders reckon he is a brilliant keeper. Him or Marshall for me. And let Tim do an ambassadorÂ’s role for us in the States with our blessings.

Replace Howard by all means, but none of his suggested replacements with the exception of Cech are anywhere near good enough.

The keeper has a vital part to play, weÂ’ve been fortunate with our last couple, god help us if Roberto picks a bad one.

Heaton would be a disastrous signing. A good shot-stopper but far too small and, if you think Howard is poor at coming for crosses when under pressure (which he is), just wait until you see Heaton!

IÂ’d give Robles a proper chance before signing Heaton.

Totally agree with fellow ToffeeWebbers – it’s time for Howard to defo go now... He's been a great servant but father time has defo caught up with him. He flaps too much and has us all a nervous wreck at crosses. Oh to have Big Nev again... he was world class.

Ross Edwards - Jack Butland, Kasper Schmeichel, Begovic? I would rather have Robles over any of them. Schmeichel is an utter liability and was as bad, if not worse than Howard last season. I donÂ’t really rate Heaton either.

Goalkeeper is always a difficult position to fill, they are mad and temperamental and often the environment and timing of a move has as much influence on their career as the keeper does himself. I donÂ’t think weÂ’ve seen the best of Robles but the fact that Martinez is looking around would seem to indicate that we never will.

He Â’usedÂ’ to be a good shot stopper, not now though. Thanks for your loyalty Tim but all the best son.

I think Peter Cech was one of the best goalies in the world at one time but since the severe head injury he does not seem the same keeper.

Anyone know anything about CourtoisÂ’ understudy. I would imagine he is pretty good?

Well Nick, two of those would probably be understudies to Joel if we signed one of them. Heaton if he signs probably would be understudy to Joel.

I think some people need a reality check. The Inter keeper is arguably the best in the world and should he leave there he could take his pick of Champions League clubs. Same with Cech. Not a cat in hellÂ’s chance of either of those. Equally the likes of the erratic Begovic are uninspired suggestions. Better obtainable options would be the likes of Ruffier at Etienne or Scuffet (touted as the next Buffon).

Really hope he goes, he was the main cause of our shocking season and easily cost us 10-15 points. He affects the way the defence operates and undermines the confidence of the whole team.

As a few others have pointed out, he was barely average at his very best and has been a liability for years. He may have made a few reaction saves here and there, but anyone could do that. HeÂ’s a terrible long-range shot-stopper, bad decision-maker, cannot command his box, is poor at crosses, stays rooted to his line when he should come out, rushes out like a headless chicken when he should stay, dives backwards over the line so that even if he stops the ball, it's in anyway. Apart from that, heÂ’s great.

This guy doesnÂ’t convince me. We need a decent keeper to replace the guy who cost us 10-15 points last season. HeÂ’s not the one.

IÂ’ve amassed 50K airmiles. Tim you can have them

ThereÂ’s a time for even the best to stand down. Anyone who saw the greatest of them all, Big Nev, in his latter years could recognise that he had lost his spring and was easily beaten by the high shots. I donÂ’t think Howard, despite his obvious imitations, has been anywhere as near as bad as some people make out,but agree that he is now on the downward curve. Of all the keepers that we can afford, the Cardiff and Scots keeper, David Marshall, looks half decent. If not, IÂ’d give Robles a chance.

Things could be worse – we could have signed Adam Bogdan!

I donÂ’t think Timmy is going anywhere. A few seasons ago he was probably just about in the top 10 keepers in the league, now heÂ’s just about in the bottom 10. HeÂ’s not so bad but heÂ’s on the downward slope.

I agree, Sam. I'm not sure about the downward slope though – he’s still in the top 10. The whole defence was to blame last season probably because of the manager's tactical dogma, I hate this culture were we have to look for scapegoats; by doing that you miss out on the bigger picture.

Experienced keepers are vastly knowledgeable in positional play and decision-making, that can be invaluable. Howard does need replacing but lets find the right man for the job, and not panic into taking a younger man with the dreaded tag of having potential. Remember Richard Wright and a few other disasters.

Signing Heaton would be a massive mistake; heÂ’s not great at present and nor is he full of potential. The guyÂ’s 29 and doesnÂ’t look the part at all.

IÂ’m not sure who the answer is to the clown we have at present, but I thought Robles did well when called upon and, as is often the case with goalkeepers, he got better when he had more minutes.

Judging him on last nightÂ’s performance against Argentina in the Copa America look no further than JamaicaÂ’s Dwayne Miller. Currently plying his trade in Sweden for Syrianska FC in their Superettan!

Only 27...t ake a look at one of his saves against Messi

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2urtfc_dwayne-miller-amazing-save-argentina-1-0-jamaica-copa-america-20-06-2015_sport

Steve 470

That was the most mundane, average link IÂ’ve ever been directed to. IÂ’ll stick with Howard .

Have to agree with Damian (#366) regarding TimÂ’s influence on US fans choosing to support Everton.

I too live in the USA and last season went to watch a few of our games at an Irish pub in DC (Fado's) which has been adopted as the DC Toffees' official home for watching the Blues.

Every Everton game is screened live, regardless of the time. Couple of pints at 9am go down well and have helped numb the pain of watching us perform this season.

Notwithstanding, the local support is very optimistic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable... and a pleasure to be with. ItÂ’s been a great experience to watch the games with them.

In fact they were even able to sort me out tickets for the Man City game at the Etihad in December, in the Everton end, when our plans to get in an Everton game during a fleeting visit were almost dashed when they switched our home game v QPR from Sunday to Monday.

If ever you visit DC make sure you get to Fado's for a game.

Phil,

Agree that clip was a little uninspiring but much better in real time watching the game and the build up to the chip from Messi.

He got man-of-the-match and even the likes of Ruud Gullit and the beIN sports panel was most impressed with his overall performance.

Do a bit more digging and maybe youÂ’ll agree... we have our man!

@ Steve Barr

It was only an amazing save because he made a rash mad dash off his line and if Mess had lifted his chip and inch or two more it would have been over him and in the net. Leave him in Sweden I think.

When shopping for a goalkeeper, a good rule of thumb has always been to not look outside of Europe.

Frank, If the defender hadnÂ’t panicked and tried to clear the ball Dwayne would have collected it before it ever got to Messi.

Notwithstanding, IÂ’m only throwing him into the mix as someone to look at.

IÂ’m actually of the opinion that we must invest in a world class goalkeeper. IÂ’ll have to leave that to Martinez so not holding my breath.

Overlook the position of goalkeeper at your peril. Howard is spent. End of. A good keeper saves you points. Who? Well isnÂ’t that what we judge a manager on. Come on Bobby, show us what yer made of lad! Axe the fucker! Love yer Tim. Hehe.

I think a goalkeeper needs a long period of confidence building acceptance. Tim Howard is not going to be better next season than last, so I hope to see the gradual introduction of Robles. He will be shit on occasion but so will anyone we get.

Given time he might reach the standard of journryman,unheralded, unnoticed goal keeper. That is good enough, because great goalkeepers are rare and at Everton we have been lucky enough to have seen a great one.