Hi Guys,
Hows it going? Wanted to introduce myself as this is my first reply ever.
I've been following Howard ever since I saw a program on TV about an american apart of the starting 11 of one of biggest clubs in the world, man u. (At least one of the biggest clubs that I have ever heard about it at the time. No, I've never liked them.)
An American? BS. But sure enough, there was Tim Howard in that goofy yellow kit and with a shiny bald head. I was an instant fan. When he moved to Everton, I started to follow the team and thats when I fell in love with the club and its players. Its always better to root for the under dog and under dog is the best description of everton that I know of.
You can argue that Tim Howard is crap or Tim Howard is the man all day long. What I observe is that the man plays well for Everton most games but he is ace for USMNT. Ask any US fan who their best player is and the majority will say Howard. It's strange really. If he played that well for every everton game, there would be more forums on discussing whether Tim Howard is the heir apparent to Southhall's reign as the best keeper Everton ever had.
I believe that Tim Howard a lot of this has to do with his status on USMNT and what being USA's number one means to him. The man is clearly in control. He doesn't wear the captain's arm band but he should. He commands respect from his teammates and he gets it. When he shouts something, his back four listens and gets in line. His fans are numerous, the media (when they give a damn about USMNT) love him. He's at the top of the pecking order on that team and that confidence shows with every match.
On Everton however, if Neville got transferred and another player was chosen as Captain, how many players would get the arm band before Howard? Quite a few. He doesn't command the same sort of respect on the team as he does on USMNT. His confidence therefore just isn't as high.
I don't know what it would take to change that. I believe he has the potential to be the best in the PL. But it would take more than just drills to do it.