Tim Howard

[daz4matty]

Genuinely matey, I agree that from the outside as fans it does seem a bit strange.
All i'd say is that he sees him everyday in training and that's a better sample to making an opinion on whether he should start or not than the few games last season.

Totally understand your point though, I just think that Martinez should be trusted and if he thinks Robles isnt yet good enough to replace a keeper out of form then i'll side with him under the proviso that he buys in the summer.

Should we be in this situation come the first day of next season then i'll be right there with you.

The goalkeeping position is very important just look at how many points we have dropped this season with howard.
I can't see joel being that rank in training and neither of us know why howard keeps getting picked.
I think its down to the manager being stubborn and you don't.
We will have to agree to disagree

 

[njligernj]

TBF benching Howard would:

• Likely sour the relationship. I suppose it's possible he takes it constructively but probably not.
• Likely lower whatever pittance we might be able to wrangle out of MLS to nothing.
• If Robles craps the bed and Howard responds poorly to the benching then who do we have in goal? Are we then forced to overpay in Jan and lose out on other players in the summer because we wasted cash in Jan?

So being cautious about this decision is wise. I think the time has come. But a manager doesn't bench a keeper on a whim -- this is a big, big decision with huge wide-ranging consequences.

That said ... bench him cuz he sucks.

 

[daz4matty]

TBF benching Howard would:

• Likely sour the relationship. I suppose it's possible he takes it constructively but probably not.
• Likely lower whatever pittance we might be able to wrangle out of MLS to nothing.
• If Robles craps the bed and Howard responds poorly to the benching then who do we have in goal? Are we then forced to overpay in Jan and lose out on other players in the summer because we wasted cash in Jan?

So being cautious about this decision is wise. I think the time has come. But a manager doesn't bench a keeper on a whim -- this is a big, big decision with huge wide-ranging consequences.

That said ... bench him cuz he sucks.

If joel is that bad why buy him.
The scum dropped mignolet and it did him the world of good.
Martinez needs to step up and drop howard cos he is actually getting worse

 

[The Esk]

I watched the game in the US with a bunch of Americans. Concensus was that fear has crept into Howard's game (he was never the most imposing player despite his physique) and as a result his decision making is impaired resulting in this chronic lack of presence in his own area.

Concensus was that his only chance of recovery was through being dropped and intensive work on the training ground.

Personally I think he is mentally shot, like a golfer with the yips, there's no way back to the highest level.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

I watched the game in the US with a bunch of Americans. Concensus was that fear has crept into Howard's game (he was never the most imposing player despite his physique) and as a result his decision making is impaired resulting in this chronic lack of presence in his own area.

Concensus was that his only chance of recovery was through being dropped and intensive work on the training ground.

Personally I think he is mentally shot, like a golfer with the yips, there's no way back to the highest level.

Spot on. The Howard era is over, and I look forward to getting someone in who I, and more importantly the defense feel much more confident in.

 

[Hellerad]

I agree with fear creeping into his game. @the esk

I also suspect it has something to do with losing Chris Woods as his GK coach.

 

[The Esk]

I agree with fear creeping into his game. @the esk

I also suspect it has something to do with losing his Chris Woods as his GK coach.

It was interesting, the guys I was with all have a high pedigree sporting background, and had seen similar in other sports (American Football in particular) and motor racing. Their view was that once you've gone mentally no amount of physical conditioning can make up for it.

Sad if true for Howard, but if so we must move on.

 

[AaronTheBlue]

I watched the game in the US with a bunch of Americans. Concensus was that fear has crept into Howard's game (he was never the most imposing player despite his physique) and as a result his decision making is impaired resulting in this chronic lack of presence in his own area.

Concensus was that his only chance of recovery was through being dropped and intensive work on the training ground.

Personally I think he is mentally shot, like a golfer with the yips, there's no way back to the highest level.

he's mentally and physically gone.

His reactions aren't as good as they were, because his ability has gone.

he's never really been a smart keeper, and now he's having to rely on his mind he is all over the place.

 

[Saint Domingo]

I've answered your question in the post above, but to say because a manager buys a player - especially a young one - and then doesnt reserve the right to not play him if he isnt cutting it is bonkers.

I agree with you, where it falls down is if Robles wasn't good enough to push Howard. Why didn't he replace either of them in the summer? Robles has been here for 2 seasons now. You can't surely believe that Martinez wanted to see how he improved over one summer but then got unlucky in that Robles just didn't. There's no two ways about it, you can pick an argument with any single point you want but Martinez should have bought a keeper in the summer end of. His current goalkeeping problem is entirely of his own making. Not because he bought Roblesb(anyone can have a bad buy) but because he has failed to (or not seen the need) to replace either.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Concensus was that fear has crept into Howard's game

A lot of people are now picking up on this, so surely Martinez can see it as well, and will drop Howard for his own good, as well as the teams.

Saying that though I won't hold my breath, because even though Robles played well when he had a run of games standing in for Howard, Martinez couldn't wait to get Howard back in and bench Robles, must have done wonders for the lads confidence.

 

[roydo]

It was interesting, the guys I was with all have a high pedigree sporting background, and had seen similar in other sports (American Football in particular) and motor racing. Their view was that once you've gone mentally no amount of physical conditioning can make up for it.

Sad if true for Howard, but if so we must move on.

Ruined my post now you have edited. lol

Sake.

Shame if he is a busted flush, but these last few weeks, and against Arsenal in particular, it has been horrific.

 

[Saint Domingo]

TBF benching Howard would:

• Likely sour the relationship. I suppose it's possible he takes it constructively but probably not.
• Likely lower whatever pittance we might be able to wrangle out of MLS to nothing.
• If Robles craps the bed and Howard responds poorly to the benching then who do we have in goal? Are we then forced to overpay in Jan and lose out on other players in the summer because we wasted cash in Jan?

So being cautious about this decision is wise. I think the time has come. But a manager doesn't bench a keeper on a whim -- this is a big, big decision with huge wide-ranging consequences.

That said ... bench him cuz he sucks.

Only Everton could deliberate over dropping the worst keeper in the league.

 

[Prevenger17]

and therefore what does that make Robles, in the eyes of the manager?

A sperm cannon.

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

Will Tim catch a cross this season? Stay tuned to find out.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

TBF benching Howard would:

• Likely sour the relationship. I suppose it's possible he takes it constructively but probably not.
• Likely lower whatever pittance we might be able to wrangle out of MLS to nothing.
• If Robles craps the bed and Howard responds poorly to the benching then who do we have in goal? Are we then forced to overpay in Jan and lose out on other players in the summer because we wasted cash in Jan?

So being cautious about this decision is wise. I think the time has come. But a manager doesn't bench a keeper on a whim -- this is a big, big decision with huge wide-ranging consequences.

That said ... bench him cuz he sucks.

Martinez needs to take a leaf out of Pellegrini's book, he had no hesitation dropping Joe Hart when he was playing crap.