Howard

[billycopper]

What's going on with Tim Howard this season? I've mentioned this in another thread. Whereas last season he kept a club record number of clean sheets, was authoratitive and pulled off atleast one wondersave per game, this term he's looked average at best.

He should have been concentrating on the incoming corner today rather than Kuyt's positioning.

There was a clip on MOTD a couple of weeks ago where Pienaar left the ball for Howard to claim and rather than smother the ball he launched it into row Z.

He just doesn't seem like he's concentrating on his football. Perhaps it's fatigue after playing the Confederations Cup last summer and being pretty much an ever-present for us? If he was at one of the top 4 clubs he'd be rested. It's a shame that we can't afford to do the same.

[daza_1973]

A lot has to do with what is in front of him - last season Jags and lescott this season Yobo/Distan add others here...........

With a settled back four hopefully he will be back to last seasons standards.

[MikelsGoat]

Sigh, how kneejerk is this? Try and recall the last big mistake he made before this one.

Then get back to me.

[chicoazul]

Originally Posted by MikelsGoat

Sigh, how kneejerk is this? Try and recall the last big mistake he made before this one.

Then get back to me.

Agreed, gets some unfair stick does Mr Howard.

[fairweather fan]

Howard is a good Keeper, but that goal today was his fault, plain and simple. GK's MUST own their six yard box.

[harry]

tim howard is a good shot stopper, he doesn't command his area. never has.
infact i don't think many goalkeepers do in the modern game. and this punching lark instead of catching

[gkpaul]

Tim messed up today on the goal. Despite Pip being wrong side when marking, Tim could have dealt with that much better and blame lays at his feet really.

I always say that I would take Howards record over any premiership keeper including the top four. How many times did you see Reina mess a punch up today? Keepers punch the ball more now a days due to how much the newer balls move, simple as that. I know some people dismiss that and say its rubbish, but they do so keepers have adjusted! Its not like he punches it into the path of a striker is it?

As for not commanding his area, did anyone see how he came for everything and claimed it, by catching, against Sunderland? Something he does a lot yet gets accused of not commanding his box!

But, today Tim will not be very happy about the goal! That was apparent by his reaction straight after, he knew.

[Khalekan]

Howard was 100% at fault today......trying to blame Neville is to ignore the obvious.

The other issue I have is with Moyes.

Chucking a lightweight ball player into that bearpit today, having played only half a game in the past year, was lunacy, IMO

The system was working well with Felliani breaking up every move they made.....Neville should have been pushed into that role and Coleman fetched on to bomb up and down the right, giving a hand to Donovan who had his hands full escaping the attentions of Inua.

Okay, so the distribution wouldn't be as good as the big lad's, but the destructive side would have been there and Phil wouldn't have been bullied out the game by Mascherano.

[Robert Jarvis]

When he makes a mistake he sure picks the right game to do it in. But as some one said he is not commanding his area well. Another point we need a good second goalkeeper around so that we have a choice that may wake him up.

[Dublintoff]

Originally Posted by MikelsGoat

Sigh, how kneejerk is this? Try and recall the last big mistake he made before this one.

Then get back to me.

Dont know, but everytime i recall the cup final i think of howard letting fat franks long ranger in

[deathbyropeandglass]

Originally Posted by gkpaul

Tim messed up today on the goal. Despite Pip being wrong side when marking, Tim could have dealt with that much better and blame lays at his feet really.

I always say that I would take Howards record over any premiership keeper including the top four. How many times did you see Reina mess a punch up today? Keepers punch the ball more now a days due to how much the newer balls move, simple as that. I know some people dismiss that and say its rubbish, but they do so keepers have adjusted! Its not like he punches it into the path of a striker is it?

As for not commanding his area, did anyone see how he came for everything and claimed it, by catching, against Sunderland? Something he does a lot yet gets accused of not commanding his box!

But, today Tim will not be very happy about the goal! That was apparent by his reaction straight after, he knew.

Yeah it just seems like a standard criticsm people make of him whether its true or not. Sure he doesn't come for everything and isn't the most commanding of keepers but he comes for pretty much everything he should come for and more often than not deals with it well.

Originally Posted by Khalekan

Howard was 100% at fault today......trying to blame Neville is to ignore the obvious.

.

Well by saying that you are ignoring the obvious that our captain failed to get goal side and gave kuyt the opportunity to head the ball if Howard didn't get to it. Both players were at fault.