Tim Howard is under pressure at Everton as his form suffers a dip

, 6 December, 17comments | Jump to most recent

Matt Cheetham looks at Tim Howard's performance stats over the past two seasons for Sky Sports, comparing them with his peers, and the conclusion is not a favourable one for the American.

» Read the full article at Sky Sports

Reader Comments (17)

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Anthony Dwyer
1 Posted 06/12/2015 at 00:06:03

A few worrying stat, but nothing too surprising to any true blue. If you watch us, you won't need black-and-white evidence of the fact our full backs pull in a bit too narrow when defending, allowing the opposition opportunities to get crosses into our box.

It's also not hard to see Howard isn't any longer good enough in any department. Hopefully, with our regular full backs Coleman and Baines back fit and almost up to full speed, we may be able to reduce the amount of crosses being put into our box.

My faith in Howard has long gone though.

Patrick Carty
2 Posted 07/12/2015 at 00:12:37

Time for Roberto to grow a pair and start with Robles tonight. The lad deserves a fair crack at it now.

Michael Williams
3 Posted 07/12/2015 at 01:38:26

American here so you know it's especially hard for me watching Timmy struggle. He can still stop a shot with almost any 'keeper in the league but I agree with everyone else here about his other shortcomings - defending the six-yard box especially.

I also agree we need a permanent replacement but I'm not sure Robles is it right now. However, if a change is made, I would wait until at least Jags gets back. Having three young twenty-somethings or teenagers (two who have only played a few games in the league) in the back line in front of a young Robles worries me more. Robles has let in some bad ones - even this year.

C'mon Timmy, you still have some good games left. Boss the box.

Michael Penley
4 Posted 07/12/2015 at 02:08:57

Michael, did you read the article? The whole point is that he can't stop a shot anymore. When his form was questioned, Tim asked us to look at his stats. Well here they are and it shows that he needs to improve, in all areas.

If he can get back to where he was 5 years ago, great, but until then Robles is a better option looking to the future. As it is Howard is a serious risk to our top 4 prospects.

Anto Byrne
5 Posted 07/12/2015 at 03:29:31

Howard, please go and play with Beckham and Co. He's been a great servant but I believe we need to replace most of the old Moyes brigade, including Hibbert, Osman and Pienaar. Football is a business and hard decisions are always tough. Best to leave on a high note than be reviled by the faithful.

Cahill left at 32 and is still playing for Australia at 36. His time in the Premier League was up. Sorry to say it but this other Tim, his time is up.

Jim Bennings
6 Posted 07/12/2015 at 09:07:16

It's never going to give Robles any confidence after a decent game and clean sheet, he's back on the bench the very next match.

We had this debate at the start of the year when Robles did well in the team for a sustained period but was instantly dropped in favour of Howard.

Martinez needs to eventually realise that Howard must be replaced soon.

Tony Abrahams
7 Posted 07/12/2015 at 09:12:35

Also think Joel, is much better on the floor, and we looked so much better at playing out from the back at Middlesbrough, last week.

Ray Roche
8 Posted 07/12/2015 at 09:33:50

As already stated, Howard has been an excellent keeper IN THE PAST! He and Martinez should realise that by now.

I hate to see players taking stick from the fans once they've gone over the hill but it's understandable when keepers can cost you so much. Martinez should do the decent thing and drop him, for his sake and ours.

The stats also show how poor we are from defending crosses and headers, something I've been banging on about since Martinez arrived.

Jim Bennings
9 Posted 07/12/2015 at 09:58:34

It happened to the likes of Kevin Campbell, Duncan Ferguson to an extent and probably would have eventually happened to Tim Cahill, players who have been kept on too long so the adulation they had with the fans becomes strained because the player can no longer recreate former glories.

I wouldn't quite put Tim Howard on the same level as those guys though, as I don't think he's ever been a truly great keeper, he was better than what he is now but great?
No not for me. If he was ever that great Manchester United would have kept him on in goal longer than they did.

For me Howard will always be remembered as a good servant but he's always been more Richard Wright than Neville Southall, Nigel Martyn.

Ernie Baywood
10 Posted 07/12/2015 at 10:09:15

It's a cutthroat business and he shouldn't have started this season if we have designs on the top four. Don't think Joel is the answer but he's certainly a better prospect right now. How were we surprised by Tim's decline? His age was a clue that it was coming!

No problem with him personally, he's been a good servant and deserves a decent send off and welcome back.

Michael Williams
11 Posted 07/12/2015 at 12:40:35

Michael (#4).

Yes it's time to replace Howard. My main concern is all the young players in front him. I'd prefer Jags to come back first but you and others are probably right that it's time for Robles.

Ray Roche
12 Posted 07/12/2015 at 12:56:01

Ernie, I'm not sure how any of us can say with any certainty that Robles isn't the answer, we've seen so little of the poor sod that's it's difficult know.

Gary Hughes
13 Posted 07/12/2015 at 16:25:11

How many points will we drop before Martinez drops Howard?

In my opinion he will stick with him this season. Butland at Stoke has been in the same situation as Robles until they sold Begovic and were forced to put him in and he has been a revelation.

We won't know how good Robles is long term until he is given a chance but short term I would hazard a guess he is a better option right now than Howard.

Aaron Underwood
14 Posted 07/12/2015 at 17:01:32

Robles might not be the answer right now, but I can forgive his blunders because he's young and still learning and will only get better with game time.

I can't forgive Howard's blunders, however, because he's an experienced goalkeeper who's getting worse season after season.

Liam Reilly
15 Posted 07/12/2015 at 17:37:00

These stats are actually worse than feared.

There is simply no justification for keeping him in the side. Expect another ariel bombardment again tonight.

Kieran Kinsella
16 Posted 08/12/2015 at 02:16:20

Tim was alright for a couple of seasons when he first signed but he's long outstayed his welcome.

Michael Williams
17 Posted 08/12/2015 at 21:17:40

The article says his save percentage has gone back up this season but the problem is how he deals with crosses.

"Fast forward to Martinez's third season in charge, and while Everton have found better overall consistency, Howard's form remains a concern. His save percentage has been resurrected from the depths of last season but other aspects of his game, primarily how he deals with crosses, have regularly let him down."

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