With SAF confirming the return of Ben Foster to United, is this confirmation that Tim Howard's United career is over? http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6419764?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=177 http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/fergie-favours-foster.html Looks like a permanent move to Everton is imminent contigent on Timmy's play for the remainder of the season. Although he has had a successful season overall, Moyes may be a bit concerned about the few "soft" goals he has let in. If he can finish the season strong, he'll be a Blue next season.
I see a permanent move to Everton. I think Moyes likes Howard, and will be willing to pay the very modest transfer to get Howard services.
Was there really any belief he would return to United? Nope. I think they closed the door for him or visa versa which ever way you look at it. He's settled at Everton and that's all that matters.
yep, Utd kind of screwed themselves here. Tim Howard has conceded 20 goals this season. Edwin Van Der Saar, with the best backline in England, and possibly the world, has conceded 17. Jens Lehman, for Arsenal, has conceded 20. They are in 7th place, yet Everton have the 4th best GA. and yet they have the 4th most draws in the league. How are those two related? It means they have a bunch of low scoring draws, and that means Howard has been saving this club points. Everton has just one more win than they have draws, and a GD of +8. What this means is they are playing in a lot of low scoring matches, 1 - 1, 1 - 0, etc. Oh yea, Howard is tied for the 3rd most clean sheets in the league with 9, and once again - this club is in SEVENTH. Reina has 15, JJ of Bolton, who is probably the GK of the year, has 10, and VDS has 9 also. Finally, Utd scored 3 goals against Everton. which bloats that GA. If you drop that game, that gives his team a .83 GA Avg in matches he's played in. Good for 5th in the league, and even that is a misleading number because he closer to the 2nd place % (Utd) than the 6th place % (Portsmouth). Let's put this myth that Howard is any way, shape or form - "soft", "shaky", what have you. He hasn't been good, he's been ********ing brilliant.
Gettin Cahill back should help them. I don't think they can challenge the big 4. But I like them so secure a UEFA Cup spot.
Timmy has always performed statistically well that has never been the knock against him. He does have the tendency to let in some soft goals however. I love Timmy though, and I'm glad to see him holding Everton steady for a chance at a UEFA cup spot.
The whole situation is a bit reminiscent of the Kasey Keller/Paul Robinson ordeal at Tottenham. Despite Keller's experience and history at the club, the younger Brit was given the starting position upon his transfer from Leeds. I wonder if Ben Foster's label as "the best young English goalkeeper" is playing any role in this.???
I'm just glad that I'm not still reading quotes from Howard saying something to the effect of, "I love United, I want to earn my starting spot back, blah, blah blah". There's certainly nothing wrong with being the starter at Everton.
Ben Foster may be labelled as the best young England goalkeeper, but he has earned it. Watford's leaky defence has left Foster stranded all season long to be peppered with shots. He has made some incredible saves to keep Watford in games and keep the score from escalating in others. He will be challenging Robinson for the starting England job at Euro 2008 and SA 2010. He's on par with Tim Howard (or better) and has more upside at a younger age.
but they can be twisted to say what you want .... which i'm not saying is happening here, by the way. I trust Appoo's judgement on this one.
I think the disappointment with Howard has always been that he keeps out so many difficultshots, if he could just keep out the easier ones, he'd be (perhaps) the best in the world.
But this was a tendency that was noticeable in New York/New Jersey. I doubt at age 27,that this is something that can be "coached" out of him.Any manager who signs Tim must be willing to accept the possibility that a easy goal may go in from time to time.
All keepers let in a "soft" goal from time to time. The best just do it less often. The key, however, is on what stage are these goals scored and what was the final result. Unfortunately for Timmy, he has let in some easy ones in big games and the result didn't go United's way - the Champion's League game against Lyon comes to mind. Fans are more likely to forget a howler as long as their team wins (unless you're Roy Carroll). Since the signing of Van der Sar, Tim hasn't had the chance to to prove that he can handle the pressure in the big games. Until Everton qualify for Europe or advance to the latter rounds of the FA Cup, this question mark is going to continue to hang over his head.
It's his first full season in the Prem and MLS is ... eh, a less challenging league, to put it mildly. My take is that he's got three more years of these blunders remaining. By the age of thirty, he should round off into a top notch GK. Gordon Banks once said that he didn't know what he was doing until the age of twenty nine. So Timmy's got time.
You're right. That's a big game...but it only comes around twice a year. At United he would have... ManU v. Arsenal (home/away) ManU v. Chelsea (home/away) ManU v. Liverpool (home/away) ManU v. City (home/away) Not to mention the latter stages of the Champion's League and FA Cup (assumption). All games in which United is expected to win. My hope for Tim is he can lead the U.S. into the late stages of Copa America. In meaningful tournaments/games for the national team, he has a chance to shake off some of his critics - stateside at least. The Mexico game will be a good start. I just don't see it happening at Everton.
He played 31 league matches (and was injured for a couple), all but one Champions League match, and most of the FA Cup matches. That's a bit more than three months worth of matches.
He joined Manchester United in July. Voting wasn't done in November. He replaced Buffon for basically a full season. Roy Carroll replaced him during his second year.