It has been a constant debate since the start of the season – Tim Howard or Joel Robles?
Tim Howard claims he is ignoring the Everton fans who are calling for him to be dropped.
The mistakes he has made already this season is the reason why many supporters want Joel Robles to start in goal.
His performance at the Emirates stadium in October attracted widespread criticism, with many Everton fans seeing it as the final straw for Howard and his time on Merseyside.
The USA international has been vulnerable at set-pieces, managing just three clean sheets in his 12 appearances this season. But, Howard says he does not listen to his critics and pointed at his stats for Everton, which show he is in the top 10 list of Premier League clean sheets.
“With all due respect, the criticism from fans and media doesn’t mean anything,” said Howard.
“I think that, for players, it gets blown out of proportion. Strong-willed, good players don’t buy into that nonsense.
“When all is said and done, my numbers and record will speak for themselves, and I don’t mean that in a historic standpoint. I mean that now. Look at the Premier League, look at the stats for this season.
Tim Howard – Premier League stats 2015/16
| Appearances – 12 |
| Goals conceded – 16 |
| Clean sheets – 3 |
“It’s water off my back. It’s not something I concern myself with. I think what critics need to be more concerned with is the stats.
“I think you have to look at where I stack up with the other goalkeepers in the Premier League, and I’ll let that speak for the story. I’m not overly concerned with that.”
Only Everton legends Neville Southall and Gordon West have managed to keep more out for the club than Howard and the former Manchester United is annoyed that he is being written off at 36.
The American came under severe scrutiny last season for some poor displays, and after a few notable clangers against Arsenal and Manchester City, the voices of discontent are yet to be quietened.
“Does that mean I’m making mistakes I shouldn’t be making?
“I think every goalkeeper makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes over the last 10 years, but that wasn’t the story then.”
Howard was speaking during international duty with the US and accepts taking a year out after his 2014 World Cup heroics may cost him his starting place with Brad Guzan also vying for the No.1 spot for tonight’s World Cup CONCACAF game against Trinidad and Tobago.
