If it's unparalleled throughout the division, why are there so many keepers who concede more goals even though their teams set up more defensively than we do?
If Howard truly were the worst keeper in the league and we played the way we do, we'd have the worst defensive record in the league by a huge margin, instead of just not being good enough to challenge for Europe.
Setting up defensively and actually being able to execute that plan depends on quality.
I'll put it simply. A conference side may go to Arsenal. They will decide to try and get them back to their ground and set up to defend. Due to individual ability they won't be able to stop arsenal scoring 3 4 5 whatever.
Everton may go there play attacking football but concede 2 soft goals as a result of Tim Howard.
That doesn't mean because he conceded less he's the better keeper.
Goalkeeper is one of the easier positions to judge. It's clear to everyone without stars and striped pyjamas how bad he is.