Funny thing- Tim's reflexs are almost too good. Like last night. When the cross came in, it looked like Pope was going to make a serious error- in that he was not close enough to ball to send it out of bounds cleanly, but he would deflect it (likely on goal) with a touch. Eddie stuck his leg out, but basically let the ball run after he saw he could only create trouble with it. Timmy started to spot where ball was going...then in mid-move, started back towards goal (anticipating Pope's would deflect the ball towards goal). It was a split-second thing, but by the time Timmy re-adjusted to flight of ball (sans Eddie)- he was just a shade short of it- hence the spillage. A less agile goalkeeper could not have adjusted mid-stream like Howard (not once, but twice). Either the keeper would have dove back towards goal (and ball would have cleared entire area- no shot on goal) OR goalie would have been planted in right spot (and would have been flat-footed if/when Pope would have deflected). For this reason, sometimes, Timmy gets in trouble. Likely, many keepers would not have given up last nights goal. Having said, Timmy gets to a lot of stuff that others' don't (because of these reflexs) and one needs to weigh those saves vs. last night's. I think as we see Timmy mature, he'll learn better positioning, and actually start looking LESS athletic, but actually become a better keeper. He will anticipate (due to experience) better, and trust his instincts better. It will be a mind test though. That, plus getting better on crosses will make him one of the top goalies in the World within 2-3 years. I think he gets there, but nothing is certain.
I think it was brain freeze. If his reflexes were that great, he could have used both hands and held that ball.
no he could not have, Tim had to reach out (streaching out) for the ball it was a reflex move could have never been able to grab the ball with two hands and hold on to it
I am a big howard fan, but he should have done better with that goal. I am not one to dissect each and every goal he gives up, or make excuses for him, but I think tim sometimes thinks a few steps ahead of the play. He looks like he is already planning the distribution b/4 as he is making the save. In other words, he gets ahead of himself. Howard should have fallen and smothered the ball (the textbook save) rather than deal with it the way he did.. I might have misjudged the velocity or the positioning of the ball and Tim, but it looked like this on the replay...
Similar opinion here. I thought he could have done basically a collapse dive and caught it with two hands. He went solidly with one, but seemed to have the time for body and both hands that direction. Unless he was distracted by intervening players. If I recall, there was no replay from his point of view, i.e. from the goal. Without that, it is hard to be completely negative.
If you get to see a replay, look at the angle from field level, between corner flag and goal, it clearly shows what I'm talking about. Basically, he 'outthunk' himself...and could not fully recover in time (80% not good enough)
the cross was a mistake, but a tougher play than it l;ooked like. Where Timmy blew it was on the poor clearence that allowed Poland to keep the pressure on.
Agreed he is maturing and will undoubtedly become a top class keeper. However, to make the claim that his reflexes are almost "too good" would suggest you didnt notice the rather large gaffe he commited in giving up that soft goal last night.