Tim Howard

[FalseNine]

Think he did alright considering he just got back.

 

[deipnosophist]

If Robles was in goal tonight, we would have got beat 7-1.

I think Robles has improved ever so much though Moomin. I've grown to quite like his keeping. But it was probably a good thing for all concerned that Martinez rest him against Chelsea...letting in 7 goals would have harmed the lads confidence

 

[Dithering Dougie]

punching it out like a tart, and not even bothering to stick his hand out.

But if you genuinely believe he didn't then we aren't going to agree so i'll save us both time.

He cleared his box to about 22 yards with a good punch, and then a pot shot has been taken which deflects from a charging defender, he's also unsighted by Gibson who would have had the shot covered if it wasn't for said deflection, if you're going to slate the guy at least show some honesty in your appraisal otherwise it just looks like you've got an agenda.

 

[SNova]

Maybe you should be a professional goalkeeper then, mate.

Ridiculous comment. Point is he should have reached his hand out.

 

[Azzurri]

Ridiculous comment. Point is he should have reached his hand out.

A powerful shot was deflected 7 yards out on its way through a crowd of bodies. If it was a simple as "reaching out his hand" he'd have done that.

 

[4737carlin]

how can you be so judgmental on joel when howard puts on a clinic on how to be bang average and terrified. Beyond me.

To be fair no one is is being judgmental on Joel, it was a terrible call from Martinez to drop him, everyone knows that.

 

[SNova]

A powerful shot was deflected 7 yards out on its way through a crowd of bodies. If it was a simple as "reaching out his hand" he'd have done that.

Here you are assuming Howard is perfect and cannot make mistakes.

 

[Dithering Dougie]

Win, lose or draw certain people were always going to blame Howard for something tonight.

 

[Azzurri]

Here you are assuming Howard is perfect and cannot make mistakes.

Come on now mate.

I'm probably one of Howard's harshest critics. I don't rate him at all, and if you could be bothered looking through this thread you'd see me call him on a lot of mistakes he's made (e.g. Should have saved Gerrard's free kick, beaten at his near post vs Hull & Spurs, shocking wall placement vs Sunderland, obvious Crystal Palace ones etc.)

Just don't think he was at fault for the goal tonight.

 

[SNova]

Come on now mate.

I'm probably one of Howard's harshest critics. I don't rate him at all, and if you could be bothered looking through this thread you'd see me call him on a lot of mistakes he's made (e.g. Should have saved Gerrard's free kick, beaten at his near post vs Hull & Spurs, shocking wall placement vs Sunderland, obvious Crystal Palace ones etc.)

Just don't think he was at fault for the goal tonight.

I'm not even saying the goal was entirely his fault. I think it should have been blocked before it got to him.

It just amazes me how he didn't even attempt to stick his hand out.

 

[Zed Car]

I think Robles has improved ever so much though Moomin. I've grown to quite like his keeping. But it was probably a good thing for all concerned that Martinez rest him against Chelsea...letting in 7 goals would have harmed the lads confidence

Robles has improved but even though he was great in the 120 mins V West Ham in the cup I thought he was so predictable for the pennos and something tells me that if Howard was facing those penalties we would still be in the cup. Whether we would have got to pennos is another matter though.

 

[deipnosophist]

Robles has improved but even though he was great in the 120 mins V West Ham in the cup I thought he was so predictable for the pennos and something tells me that if Howard was facing those penalties we would still be in the cup. Whether we would have got to pennos is another matter though.

you raise good points mate. I agree with you re Robles penalty saving efforts.

 

[mrb85]

The fact is, many keepers would have saved it. To be motionless was criminal. Goalkeepers train all week to react spontaneously to shots, deflections etc. Howard didn't react at all. Nothing wrong with his punch though I didn't think.

 

[kithnou]

I know this is a bit trite but he just doesn't do enough. A better keeper makes those saves. The punch was jarg and then we concede from it. Robles was much better from his line and it's only natural that some of us (still fuming types) look at that goal and see that Howard comes short at his near post yet again.

If Robles would have saved it or not, we'll never know. It would be nice to see him given the chance to though.

Some weird decisions this season.

Bad Management. You don't drop a young keeper after his performances so far. Very bad Management.

 

[icburns]

The same people who were saying that Robles is the worst keeper they have ever seen three weeks ago are those claiming that we'd have won were he in goal today. Howard was okay today- not great, not poor. Honestly ask yourself how Robles would have dealt with the constant pressure. Martinez no doubt pondered the same question before the game.