Howard

[- Bradders -]

My point with Howard is that with many, he just can't win. If he punches, he should have caught. If he caught it, he should have punched it. If he hoofs it out, he should have passed it. If he jumped, he should have stood his ground, and if he stood his ground, he should have jumped.

You get my drift.

So you think his kicking and general distribution is good? Pretty average imo, although I will say that he does look to be throwing the ball more than previous seasons which is a positive. Hate it when he does those big high kicks out of his hands to nowhere but they seem to be less and less now. His kicks off back passes have and always will be turd though, generally missing their target or ending up sliced into the stands.

The catch he made over Dzeko was good, something I didn't believe he had in him anymore. He could have caught the one he punched though. I doubt many would be moaning if his punch was any good but it was a very poor punch which brought pressure upon the defence once more, especially considering the catch he had made previously, which was more difficult. And I don't think anybody is asking him to jump up in the air on a one on one, asking for trouble. IF he lobs, fair play but the vast majority won't unless the ball sits up.

Aside from the one blip, an alright match. Not tested too much, just doing the basics which have been all too lacking thus far. No one's expecting Casillas/Buffon type performances week in, week out and even they make mistakes from time to time but Howard's mistakes have been too common imo.

 

[davek]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/ever...y-under-study-for-everton-fc-100252-32350479/

“I think it (competition) is important I really do. But I have never really allowed myself to get too caught up in the competition element of it. I think every team needs competition for every place if they can afford it, maybe even three players. I’m 33. I’ve been around, played a lot of seasons, had to push people and I’ve been pushed. But I’m a firm believer that I work as hard as anyone. I don’t miss days in training, I don’t stay in the physio room too long if ever, I push myself and drive myself hard. That’s what’s important. If you want to be the best you can’t rely on other people to drive you."

​

Howard acknowledging competition is good...but then saying it's not needed for him to get the best out of himself!!

You can see the attitude there that's allowed him to play so many games unchallenged by other keepers. That's a problem not created by him though, it's one created by Moyes for accommodating him for so long. I dont think any other decent GK will come here knowing how locked up this position is.

 

[ijjysmith]

That's a good point actually Davek.

Why would a keeper come here when they know they won't play?!

I guess that's why someone like Gordon would be a move we and he'd make. He's not gonna go anywhere else, and might, I repeat might, just suprise everyone.

 

[davek]

That's a good point actually Davek.

Why would a keeper come here when they know they won't play?!

I guess that's why someone like Gordon would be a move we and he'd make. He's not gonna go anywhere else, and might, I repeat might, just suprise everyone.

If Howard was knocked off his perch for any period of time, I dont think he'd hang around too long. He's been a decent GK for us, but the length of time without credible competition would make anyone feel they were in the comfort zone and have them not really producing their best. His comments above are unreal.

Gordon: I think that'd be a waste of even the signing on fee. He's never going to provide competition to Howard because his cv suggests he'd never have extended periods of fitness. We need a young and ambitious GK to do that.

 

[ijjysmith]

If Howard was knocked off his perch for any period of time, I dont think he'd hang around too long. He's been a decent GK for us, but the length of time without credible competition would make anyone feel they were in the comfort zone and not really producing their best. His comments above are unreal.

Gordon: I think that'd be a waste of even the signing on fee. He's never going to provide competition to Howard because his cv suggests he'd never have extended periods of fitness. We need a young and ambitious GK to do that.

First half agree.

Second half sort of agree. There's an obvious reason why nobody has picked Gordon up so far. He has exploding bones. But in my head he's worth the risk. I've always liked him, but I do understand the risk involved.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

First half agree.

Second half sort of agree. There's an obvious reason why nobody has picked Gordon up so far. He has exploding bones. But in my head he's worth the risk. I've always liked him, but I do understand the risk involved.

Yeah his knee.

He did his cruciate in 2010 & he had problems with the same knee again in the summer, so that's why he's been without a club.

 

[Kay20]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/ever...y-under-study-for-everton-fc-100252-32350479/

“I think it (competition) is important I really do. But I have never really allowed myself to get too caught up in the competition element of it. I think every team needs competition for every place if they can afford it, maybe even three players. I’m 33. I’ve been around, played a lot of seasons, had to push people and I’ve been pushed. But I’m a firm believer that I work as hard as anyone. I don’t miss days in training, I don’t stay in the physio room too long if ever, I push myself and drive myself hard. That’s what’s important. If you want to be the best you can’t rely on other people to drive you."

​

Howard acknowledging competition is good...but then saying it's not needed for him to get the best out of himself!!

You can see the attitude there that's allowed him to play so many games unchallenged by other keepers. That's a problem not created by him though, it's one created by Moyes for accommodating him for so long. I dont think any other decent GK will come here knowing how locked up this position is.

Wait, what? Isn't he saying that he's looking within himself to drive himself and not depending on others? That it's additive to competition? He doesn't say competition isn't needed. He's saying he can't rely on other people to drive you. If Mucha sucks, that's kinda valid.

There are those of you that can think Tim Howard is crap. But he ain't lazy.

 

[davek]

Wait, what? Isn't he saying that he's looking within himself to drive himself and not depending on others? That it's additive to competition? He doesn't say competition isn't needed. He's saying he can't rely on other people to drive you. If Mucha sucks, that's kinda valid.

There are those of you that can think Tim Howard is crap. But he ain't lazy.

He's saying there's no need for a challenger to him if - as per the critique at large - the issue is he needs to be pushed for competition to keep on his toes.

He's attempting to shut out threats by undermining the reason for bringing other GKs in. What Howard wants is a Mucha or Wessels or Hahnemann type emergency stand-in - someone he cant realistically lose his place to.

No one wants him forced out. It's just not healthy that he's the only feasible GK to turn to at the club.

 

[Jags..class]

I have to agree that Howard need competition, cos he to comfy with his position

 

[Kurt.]

He's got hands that do dishes.

 

[met069]

Howard acknowledging competition is good...but then saying it's not needed for him to get the best out of himself!!

You can see the attitude there that's allowed him to play so many games unchallenged by other keepers. That's a problem not created by him though, it's one created by Moyes for accommodating him for so long. I dont think any other decent GK will come here knowing how locked up this position is.

I'm really not sure what you expect him to say here. "Yes, I am losing focus, I think the lack of competition is making my performances worse, please Davey, bench me and buy a replacement!" Of course if the media asks him if he's still pushing himself, he will give out that sort of response. I don't you can extrapolate any sort of "attitude" from those comments.

 

[davek]

I'm really not sure what you expect him to say here. "Yes, I am losing focus, I think the lack of competition is making my performances worse, please Davey, bench me and buy a replacement!" Of course if the media asks him if he's still pushing himself, he will give out that sort of response. I don't you can extrapolate any sort of "attitude" from those comments.

All he needs to say to them is that he welcomes competition and that it's a natural and healthy state of affairs at any club. Full stop. He doesn't stop there though; he adds the rider that it cant make him any better than he is because he doesn't roll that way. Ergo: he's saying the exercise would be pointless if EFC still see him as a their undisputed #1 GK.

Like I say, he's happy with a Hahnemann type to standby in case of injury. He doesn't strike me as someone who'd react well to real competition.

 

[pfim]

I think analyzing what players say to the media is a fruitless exercise. First, who cares if he does or doesn't want competition? Second, there's no good answer to this question for him. Say one thing, and he seems to lack confidence. Say another, and he seems too confident or delusional.

The only opinion that matters on the subject is Moyes'.

 

[pfim]

He played well against Man City, hopefully he can string a few matches like that together.

 

[Summerskin]

Apparently stormed out of training today after being confronted by Moyes.

*sigh* Hopefully Gordon signs sooner rather than later!