"Blue Kipper interviewed Everton's keeper Tim Howard to mark the announcement of 188BET as the official betting partner of Everton FC. For a free £25 bet go to www.188promo.com/everton".
Blue Kipper: What was your best moment of the World Cup?
Tim Howard: It had to be the goal that Landon Donovan scored against Algeria. Pure excitement, knowing that we'd won the game in the last few minutes. It was electric. For me the game against England was very special but it had to be the Algeria game.
Blue Kipper: What was your worst moment of the World Cup?
Tim Howard: Obviously getting knocked out.
Blue Kipper: How did it feel playing against England knowing that loads of Evertonians were supporting the USA?
Tim Howard: It was good you know, I felt that! Good feeling. It felt rather cool particularly knowing how passionate the Everton fans are that they can even chant against their own country.
Blue Kipper: Have you ever blown a Vuvuzela?
Tim Howard: Yeah, yeah I have. I've had them blown at me as well while I was sleeping by a few jokers in the US team it was quite funny actually. As players on the field it creates a fantastic ambiance but if you're in the crowd watching on television or even on the bench it could be quite annoying but usually when you're in the game those type of things don't bother you. The difference between a Vuvu and the crowd noise is that the vuvu is very deep so it's hard to project your voice above it. Whereas crowd noise is more piercing so you can always get your voice on top of it.
Blue Kipper: Where do you see Everton finishing this season?
Tim Howard: We're going to try and go right to the top. We feel that with a fit full squad we're capable of beating anybody. Traditionally with the top four you've got a huge race on your hands a huge battle. We've shown against those teams we have the ability to fight hard and play well but also get good results and so it's a long hard grind. Look back to last season had we even had a decent start we would have been flying because the second half of our season was fantastic.
Blue Kipper: What's the best game you've ever played in?
Tim Howard: 100% would be USA versus Mexico in the Azteca Stadium with 110,000 people there. You have to understand that rivalry you know we're hated down there and we enjoy playing them. The sound in the stadium goes straight up and keeps the sound in and it's always hot and it's at altitude. If we ever pull off a result down there I'll be a very happy man.
Blue Kipper: Jan Mucha says he's going to challenge you for the No 1 spot, are you up for the challenge?
Tim Howard: Yep, Jan is an international and played at the World Cup so yes it will be interesting. I love a challenge, I've had them all of my career. I've won a few battles and lost a few battles and at this time in my career it doesn't bother me, I truly enjoy competition it helps me get out of bed in the morning and this is no different. Jan seems like a really good guy.
Blue Kipper: Bainsy says the transfer window should be shut tomorrow, do you agree?
Tim Howard: I think we'd actually like to keep all of our players. I'd extend it for a few more days so we can get some more players in. The managers working hard you know. Any true blue would have 100% faith in our manager he brings fantastic players in so we'd like to get one or two more in. I'm not a transfer window guru so I don't know that for sure. We don't want anyone going off, we've got a great foundation, a great nucleus. We can do some special things with what we have.
Blue Kipper: Have you spoken to Landon Donovan recently?
Tim Howard: Chuckles......well not too recently. After the World Cup everybody split. We had some great chats at the World Cup and he loved his time here I hope that he can be back at some point whether it's long term or the short term.
Blue Kipper: What was the best goal scored against you?
Tim Howard: None of them. They were all crap!
Blue Kipper: What's your best moment at Everton up to now?
Tim Howard: There's been a few, there's definitely been a few. I have to say because of the way things all worked out and on a personal level for me the semi final at Wembley was my best match day moment for a lot of reasons playing against your old club particularly when it's Manchester Utd. Great atmosphere, great stadium, the moment was huge and also the icing on the cake was that I was in a cup final with Everton which meant a huge amount to me, so that was definitely a day that I relish.
Blue Kipper: The number 1 shirt, why don't you wear it?
Tim Howard: Ha ha ha....When I came here I wore 24 as No1 wasn't available 24 is a number I've always loved and I have a number of different reasons and it's just kinda stuck it's really grown on me ya know. I wear 1 for the US so me and 24 go together and I don't think that'll change . The No1 keeper is the one that's playing and that tradition of wearing number 1 doesn't matter to me so 24 is mine.
"Blue Kipper interviewed Everton's keeper Tim Howard to mark the announcement of 188BET as the official betting partner of Everton FC. For a free £25 bet go to www.188promo.com/everton".
Email Bluekipper at enquiries@bluekipper.com
