Rumored offer for Howard by ManU

[Melloblkmon]

Didn't see this yet so I wanted to post.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=267711&cc=5901

My only concern is that he get to play on the first team. I know that's a lot to ask but if he isn't going to play it is almost pointless to go.

Arena calls up those who play/start regularly. Tim doesn't need to rot on anyones bench. He is flat out a better keeper than Barthez!

It sounds really serious this time! American keepers will be taking over in England!

[MLSNHTOWN]

Originally posted by Melloblkmon
Didn't see this yet so I wanted to post.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=267711&cc=5901

My only concern is that he get to play on the first team. I know that's a lot to ask but if he isn't going to play it is almost pointless to go.

Arena calls up those who play/start regularly. Tim doesn't need to rot on anyones bench. He is flat out a better keeper than Barthez!

It sounds really serious this time! American keepers will be taking over in England!

He will get his shot to start. The US should export goalkeepers consistently. We are a great goalkeeping nation.

[worldsoccer-Jeff]

When this came up about a month ago, I just dismissed it as the usuall talk, but now this looks for real.

[monop_poly]

Originally posted by MLSNHTOWN
We are a great goalkeeping nation.

But spotty at peacekeeping.

[striker]

Originally posted by Melloblkmon
He is flat out a better keeper than Barthez!

Don't you think we should reserve this judgement until Howard has played in some high-pressure matches against some top-quality opponents?

[geordienation]

Originally posted by striker
Don't you think we should reserve this judgement until Howard has played in some high-pressure matches against some top-quality opponents?


Exactly. I've got no doubt Timmay is the real thing, but playing in the EPL is a different world. The speed alone is much faster (ask Messr. Barthez).

Plus, won't he have the same work permit problems that Friedel had at Liverpool? He doesn't have very many senior caps (not that there aren't exceptions).

[Melloblkmon]

Originally posted by striker
Don't you think we should reserve this judgement until Howard has played in some high-pressure matches against some top-quality opponents?

I only say that because given the same first class defense I think Howard would make more saves.

Besides I think (As do the GK coaches at ManU) Tim is a better athlete. If Tim wasn't being heavily considered they wouldn't send the coach all the way to a meaningless friendly in Texas, they would wait until they toured the states and went to a Metros match.

We all know Fabian is not in the best of graces with Sir Alex just by what we read on the Man U website.

[CrewToon]

The question is whether Mr. Howard would get used to prawns. :)

[sch2383]

I believe he can get a passport through Hungary (I think his mom is from there). I believe that country will become a member of the EU next year. Also if he plays in the Confed Cup, would that give him enough caps in enough time to get a permit?

This move, if it happens, is huge to soccer in the United States. Yes we have had players who have gone to Europe and done well, but Manchester United is the most famous club in the world, and having an American on that team, starting, would be great.

[bernman23]

This is a very good thing for Howard, U.S. soccer and the MLS. Howard gets to play with the most famous club in the world, U.S. soccer gets some pub, and the MLS get a nice transfer fee. I think the best way for the MLS to become a top league is to have the American players they develop to transfer overseas to rich clubs and rake in the transfer fees. Use the transfer fees to raise salaries which will finally lure classy players from overseas. Hopefully that will improve attendance because of the heightened quality play and also the ethnicities from all around the country to support their native country's players. Then eventually we can afford to keep our homegrown talent, plus the international talent, and have a quality league that maybe could rival realistically the Dutch league or maybe even German in several years.

[strider026]

Originally posted by Melloblkmon
He is flat out a better keeper than Barthez!


His distribution skills are better?

[dark knight]

Guys - I realize this potentially effects the National team, but discussion of whether he can get a work permit, etc., really should take place on Yanks Abroad. This is the existing thread:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1114151#post1114151

[striker]

Originally posted by Melloblkmon
I only say that because given the same first class defense I think Howard would make more saves.

Besides I think (As do the GK coaches at ManU) Tim is a better athlete. If Tim wasn't being heavily considered they wouldn't send the coach all the way to a meaningless friendly in Texas, they would wait until they toured the states and went to a Metros match.

We all know Fabian is not in the best of graces with Sir Alex just by what we read on the Man U website.

Howard may rise to the occasion and become the best keeper in the world if given a chance to play at ManU. On the other hand, he may freak out and become a lesser version of Tiabbi (spelling?). Many highly touted players have joined various highly rated teams and totally bombed. I will support Howard 110%. But until he has proven himself with such highly rated teams, I would not rate him above Barthez (or most other starting keepers in the EPL).

Is it really true that the GK coaches at ManU have said that Howard is a better athlete than Barthez? That may or may not be true, but it would be rather undiplomatic for such coaches to say so.

[Juan Luis Guerra]

and now what's next?

[GKiey]

Here are 3 reasons why TimHoward should hold off
on transfering to ManU:
1. He need more Intl experience with the NAtional team and going overseas now to most likely sit on the bench limits that.

2. Coming from a winning team..assuming Metorstars get to the playoffs and have a solid run at the Cup will put him in a better position to negotiate...$$
3. He needs to have a strong winning foundation behind him.

The bottom line is if he waits, wins more and has more valuable net time then he will be a better palyer in the long run, He is still quite young and another 2 years on a winning Metrostars team and more Natl team exposure will benefit him in the long run

[Hey Waft Man]

Being that this is the Nats' forum, how does the signing (assuming it happens) affect Howard's position on the national team? He's been getting his caps as part of the MLS-based contingent, but when Il Bruce invites his Euro players, does Tim drop behind Brad and Kasey? How will he get any more caps? How would this figure in his decision to sign? Let's face it - if it were me, it'd be all about the Elizabeths (sorry, Benjamin).

[sch2383]

Originally posted by GKiey
Here are 3 reasons why TimHoward should hold off
on transfering to ManU:
1. He need more Intl experience with the NAtional team and going overseas now to most likely sit on the bench limits that.

2. Coming from a winning team..assuming Metorstars get to the playoffs and have a solid run at the Cup will put him in a better position to negotiate...$$
3. He needs to have a strong winning foundation behind him.

The bottom line is if he waits, wins more and has more valuable net time then he will be a better palyer in the long run, He is still quite young and another 2 years on a winning Metrostars team and more Natl team exposure will benefit him in the long run

Yeah, you tell the most famous club in the world, hold on I need to finish playing with the little kids (which is what the MLS is when compared to the EPL). Any player in the MLS would take any amount of money to play for Manchester United.

[Red Card]

Originally posted by Hey Waft Man
Let's face it - if it were me, it'd be all about the Elizabeths (sorry, Benjamin).

Penny wise, pound foolish!

[Melloblkmon]

Originally posted by strider026
His distribution skills are better?

I feel they are comparable although I will agree Barthez has a great left foot. I have seen him place a long ball at Henry's feet with little effort.

That said I still feel that overall Howard is the better Goalkeeper.

[Melloblkmon]

Originally posted by striker
Is it really true that the GK coaches at ManU have said that Howard is a better athlete than Barthez? That may or may not be true, but it would be rather undiplomatic for such coaches to say so.

They haven't rolled out the red carpet for Barthez to hang around. If he asked for a transfer he'd probably get it.