Tim Howard’s performances this season have been mercurial at best. Only some excellent but sporadic saves and a great natural instinct for positioning have kept him competing at this level. Is a knack for being in the right place at the right time enough for a footballer fast becoming a fading force?
Rooney’s goal, for example, in the recent 3-0 defeat to Manchester United; Howard’s positioning was excellent but on closer inspection he seems to actually dive out of the way of the ball as Rooney shoots. If only he had stayed where he was he would have just caught the ball.
This is symptomatic of a goalkeeper in terminal decline, someone who is desperate to anticipate the opposing forward’s shot because of a waning self- confidence in his own reflexes. The Man City loss is another example, Kolarov’s goal was borne of a keeper’s determination to commit himself to the most likely upcoming action rather than wait for the actual action to happen and then react. If Howard had waited and trusted his reactions he would have saved the unlikely near post shot rather than bank on the most likely option of a cross and the concede the crucial first goal of the game at his near post.
There’s nothing wrong with playing the odds; at least that is until your overall performance drops below the available alternative. Let’s appreciate his contribution to Everton for many years and hope he can provide excellent backup for as long as he can.
The case for Robles.
Let’s start with the bad. Frankly he’s looked a bit dodgy at times and there ain’t no denying it. I can’t recall a time when his shot stopping from any range has let him down, but he has made bad decisions deciding when, or when not to, come for the ball; and his handling from crosses has been far from exemplary overall. Having said that, let me say this, all of the faults I’ve listed don’t necessarily suggest a lack of talent but perhaps a lack of confidence and time on the pitch. But his performance tonight against Norwich spoke volumes for his potential.
How did he play? Composed, dominant and more demanding of his own defenders than I’d seen him before. Also his distribution was excellent, and first touch and general play not bad too. Perhaps Robles is aware of the ‘media narrative’ here, who knows? This performance in both normal and extra time suggested he has recognised this as a genuine opportunity to impress and grab the No.1 jersey. Perhaps the recent poll of 86% of Everton supporters who supported a change from Howard in goal had made their voices heard to even those within the Everton camp.
He was excellent throughout against Norwich, and I haven’t even mentioned his penalty shoot-out performance yet. He stood tall, looked imposing throughout the shoot-out and guessed the right way more often than not, leading to the decisive and only save. He has done enough tonight, shown enough in his performances since joining and promised enough overall for a run of 5-8 league games to demonstrate his long term worth to the team. If he performs well then it’s possibly our long term goalkeeper problem solved and if not then we need to get the chequebook out in January or in the summer at the latest… at least we’ll know for sure.
