Record Could Fail Due To Being Out Of United Game

Tim has been quality in his first season at Everton, keeping 13 clean sheets so far this season. He can only play 3 games out of the remaining four games Everton have to play, because of a clause in his contract which prevents him playing against his former club in a weeks time. Who the fuck agreed to that?

So he only has 3 games left and must keep clean sheets in 2 of them to equal the number of clean sheets in a season record. For the Premiership, legend Neville Southall had 15 clean sheets during the 1994-95 campaign, which includes the club record of seven in a row. For the anoraks the Blues’ all-time clean sheet record is held by Gordon West, who kept 21 clean sheets during the 1969-70 title winning season. (21/04/07)

Tim's Warning

Tim Howard is rightly warning his team mates that the win over The Arse the other week will count for nothing, if the boys don't don't do the business at Villa Park tomorrow evening. With the International break the Blues will not have kicked a ball in earnest for 15 days, and with Spurs winning today to claim sixth position, a win is a must.

Tim says: "It does seem like forever since the last game with the internationals. I think we have to try and not let playing on a Monday affect us. We are just going to have to be up for it and take the fight to them. It is not very often you beat Arsenal, so when you do it gives you a bag full of confidence. All you can do is make that result stand for something because if we don't get anything against the other teams it means virtually nothing so the ball is in our court." (01/04/07)

Become a Great

Ted Sagar, Gordon West and the Great Neville Southall. Moyesy has challenged new signing Tim Howard to get among those names and became a legendary keeper with the Blues. Tim who has been a revelation since taking over the gloves from another great Everton keeper, no not Dickie Wright, I mean Nigel Martyn, has kept a ruck of clean sheets this season, and his confidence for the team is there for all to see.

Moyesy says: "We are absolutely delighted to have him here. He has proved himself to be well worth the contract we offered him and it was pleasing that he was only too happy to sign it as well. That’s good for us. He is at a good age and hopefully he will get better and better. He is a good lad to have around the place.

It was always going to be a big miss for us when Nigel Martyn retired last Summer and it threatened to be difficult to replace him. But Tim has come in and been fantastic. He has proved in big games that he is a keeper of high quality. Everton have always had a rich tradition of goalkeepers and we hope that he can carry that on in the next few years. We always want to attract top quality players here, and though we might not have the financial resources of other clubs, we are trying our best to tip the scales and take the club forward." (27/02/07)

We Splash The Cash

The money paid and the package put together by the Blues for Tim Howard is the biggest ever for an American footballer, that's soccer player to our new American friends, if any of you are reading this. The Americans representative, the aptly named Dan Seagal is delighted with the package, as any agent would be when they are on 10%.

Dan Seagal (Tim's Agent) says: "This move for Tim is absolutely terrific. Everton has been a perfect fit for him from day one. The financial package - the largest ever for an American soccer player - that the club put together to keep him says everything about their commitment to Tim, and the fact that Tim has signed for five years says everything about his commitment in return." (18/02/07)

Realistic Goal

Tim Howard is looking at the realistic goal which is qualification for next season's UEFA Cup. The Blues currently lie a few points of the European pace, but Tim thinks that club, players and especially the fans are all geared up for another European adventure.

Tim says: "We are looking to make that push for Europe. Some teams say 'we aren't going to talk about it and see what happens'. We are going to talk about it; we set our sights high and we are going to push for it. It's a realistic goal and it's within our grasp. If we do things right, our destiny is in our own hands. If you want to be a big club - which we are - then you want to accomplish things and you have to make sure your targets are high and you can't settle for mediocrity.

The fans share the ambition, the board do, the manager for sure, the players around me, we all share that same ambition and the same goals so if that wasn't the case I would have a very difficult time signing my future to the club but as I have I am very happy and we are going to stay ambitious for as long as we can." (17/02/07)

Proper Blue Now

Tim Howard is now a proper Blue after signing a permanent deal today with the club. Tim was originally on loan till this Summer, but after his exceptional performances this season, Moyesy has been quick to snap up the American International on a long term deal till 2012. The fee is undisclosed, but I am sure there has been some wheeler dealing with the money the Mancs owe us over Wayne Rooney from a few seasons ago.

Tim says: "The Club share my ambition, that is for sure - the manager does and so do the fans. I was drawn to the Club for a number of reasons and the players in the dressing room are one of them."

Moyesy says: "We are delighted to have Tim Howard. He has come in this season and proved he is a good keeper and we are pleased to have secured him." (14/02/07)

Discipline Is The Key

Tim Howard's says discipline is the key if Everton are take anything away from Analfield this weekend. Tim rightly points out that the Blues still have thirteen games left after this match against the shite, so the Blues can do without any yellows or dare I say pink cards in this normally feisty affair. A win would be nice though !!

Tim says: "When we are pressing the tempo, playing our football and getting on top of teams, I think we do better that way and our form seems to get better and better. Some teams do well sitting back and letting the pressure come on to them, but I think when we up the tempo we seem to play a lot better and I think you saw that in the first derby. I imagine it will be the same on Saturday.

We want the pressure to be on and the tempo to be up. We have to look after ourselves but at the end of the day it is one game. We can't get carried away with getting bookings and red cards. We have to look after our discipline and make sure that we see the bigger picture and get this win under our belt. We want the result but we have got to bear in mind we have got games to go and we can't jeopardise those for the sake of being out-fought and getting tackles in." (31/01/07)

Bad Performance

Tim has been in good form for Everton since he joined on loan at the beggining of the season, but a few people have been questioning the goalie of late and his performance today hasn't done him any favours.

Moyesy says: "The ball moved a lot and that contributed, but Tim should have saved the first one, and I'm not convinced the free-kick went in the corner of the net. The first one was spilled and then after the free-kick we found ourselves 2-0 down before we really got started." (07/01/07)

United Owe Us

The signs are looking good that Tim Howard will carry on in the Summer at Everton, but this time as a fully fledged Royal Blue and not a Loan Ranger. Like the deal that brought Phil Neville from manure to the Blues a season and a half ago, United are still in Everton's debt financially. The contingencies that were put in Wayne Rooney deal back in 2004 are coming to fruition, and the monies still owed to the Blues will no doubt pay for any fee due to manure for any deal with Tim Howard.

Rooney signed a two year extension with United, which kicked in a clause of an extra £1.5m payable to the Blues, and we are due another £1m in August 2007. If manure win the title (and for once I hope they do), we will receive another £0.5m, and if by any chance they win the Champions League, another £1m will be winging its way to Goodison. Me thinks that should be enough to bring Tim to the Blues, next Summer, and by the noises Tim himself is making, there should be no excuses if he is not starting next season as a Blues player. To see the full Rooney money breakdown, and what is still owed to the Blues, click here. (28/12/06)

I Want To Play

Tim Howard has given his best indication yet that he see's his footballing future at Goodison rather than manure. Tim just wants to play every week, and he thinks you have to be a certain type of person who is happy to sit on the bench and pick your wages up at the end of the week. The American keeper does not fancy doing that, and with Edwin Van de Sar signing a year extension to his contract, me thinks Tim will be around for some years to come. Shit forgot one small detail, transfer fee permitting of course.

Tim says: " I don't do very well on the bench to be honest. Raymond van der Gouw was a fantastic deputy to Peter Schemichel, came in did a job and shut his mouth. I don't think with all due respect to myself, to be the type of person to say that's fine for me. Its not in my blood. When you have nothing to look forward to on a Saturday, that's a drag, it really is.

I met with him (Sir Alex of manure) when we played United the other week, and we had a good conversation. But without words being spoken moves have been made. I'm sure I'll have some opinion on the matter, but I don't think it is going to be the bottom line. We can look things in the face in May." (17/12/06)

I Want You Back

Marvellous, bloody marvellous. We get our best keeper in years (Nige Martyn excluded), and now because he is performing in Everton colours, his old Boss who wanted nothing to do with him months ago, has said he may want him back come next Summer. Tim, be loved at Everton, don't go back to be sitting on the bench, as nice as a bench as it is at manure. Jesus seen them posh seats at Old Trafford, get in there.

Sir Alex of manure says: "Tim has been doing really well at Everton, which is what we hoped for. The potential has always been there because he has great elasticity, he is brave, has a good spring and is an excellent distributor of the ball. All he needed was the experience, and now he is getting it.

I have spoken to David Moyes and he is delighted at how Tim has been playing. But it is certainly a possibility he could come back to us, no question about that." (29/11/06)

Cheesed Off

For a couple of reasons Tim's a bit cheesed off at the moment. First he can't play against Man U on Wednesday and second if we hadn't have made stupid mistakes we would have been right behind Man U's hoop in the league.

Tim says: "I'm disappointed that I cannot play in this one, but I'm also excited by the occasion because I know we will be up for the challenge."

"We dropped another two points at Charlton, another game we were leading in. It's been like that all season, really. It's just been that one unfortunate mistake, or that one lapse in concentration that has stopped us from taking the Premier League by storm.

"If you look at where we sit and then think about the points that we have dropped, it's just so frustrating. Like any team, we are at our best when we are on top of the game, and it is vital that we get that goal when in that position. But when we do get that goal our concentration needs to be that little bit higher all around the pitch to really see it out.

"We were in a good position against Charlton to see the game out, but we didn't. We just need that bit extra. That's all it is. Our performance was good, it's just that the result is not so easy to take."(27/11/06)

Who Knows What The Future Holds?

Tim says: "Long term, I don't really know what the future holds. I truly think decisions are going to be taken out of my hands. I think my opinion will count for something but it is a long season and I am sure Everton and Manchester United will make decisions that need to be made. If my input is wanted I am sure I will be asked. I am definitely enjoying it here but it is difficult to tell the future." (17/11/06)

Leave manure For Paradise

Moyesy as yet as made no moves to manure over making on loan goalkeeper Tim Howard's move permanent. The keeper who has been a revalation since his moved to Goodison in the Summer, is only on a year deal with the Toffees, and all Blues would love to see the big American a permanent fixture for years to come.

Moyesy says: "We've not even gone near it at the moment. We've got him for the season. We've been pleased with him and we've been pleased with the defenders in general. I wanted to get back to clean sheets and they produced against Sheffield United and Luton. " (31/10/06)

Match Winning Performance

Phil Neville has revealed that Tim Howard's Man of the Match performance on Saturday was even more remarkable as the American keeper was suffering from a virus prior to kick off. Phil goes onto say the Tim is loving every minute at the club, and if the rumours coming out of Goodison are true, the likeable keeper would love to make his move permanent.

Phil says: "I got to the ground early and someone said he wasn't well so I didn't expect him to turn up. When he did he looked even worse, he was sweating. He obviously had a fever but he was keen to play. He made a great save in the first half when they could have got back into it from a set-piece but he's been like that all season.

He is immersing himself in this club. From the outside looking in you just think he's on loan but when you actually get involved at Everton, it does grip you. He is playing every game fantastically well and it's important he's playing week in week out which, to be honest, is the main reason he is here. He is thriving on that. He is a fantastic keeper and is up there with the best in the Premiership." (23/10/06)

We Owe You

After the highs of the shite victory, and then the disappointing lows of three successive draws and last weeks defeat at Boro, Tim Howard wants to repay the fans for their fantastic support, and more importantly get three more points for the team.

Tim says: "We expect nothing less than three points and the fans deserve nothing less than three points. For me we are all after the same goal. The thing the fans have in their heart is the same thing I have in my heart - desire and drive to get three points for the football club." (20/10/06)

Forget It

Tim is not even thinking about records, unbeaten runs, and all that shit as they have a nasty habit of coming to bite you back on the bum. You know when the media go on about this record or that unbeaten run, well what happens next, it all comes crashing in on you. Tim is well aware of this and as much as he is looking forward to Boro on Saturday, he is taking one match at a time.

Tim says: "The unbeaten record is for everybody to be proud of. It shouldn't be taken lightly but at the same time those seven games are in the past. We can't have them back and we have to keep looking forward and continue doing what we have been doing, and that starts on Saturday. Any upcoming game we are looking to extend the unbeaten run and you can only do it one at a time.

It is a similar week to the one before the Liverpool (shite) match. It is broken up with players coming back from internationals and some guys not being here. We only get all the lads together on Thursday afternoon, Friday morning so it is difficult in that sense. But the lads here have been training hard and trying to keep up with the guys who are away for internationals. Hopefully we can come back together, slip back into it and go up there to get some points." (12/10/06)

We Will Need A Top Class Keeper Soon

Although Everton didn't need a top class goalkeeper against the shite on Saturday, in the coming months against better teams, we will. Moyesy is convinced that Tim is in the Nigel Martyn class.

Moyesy says: "Tim has come ready to play, and maybe he had a bit of a point to prove. He had barely played for a year, and I was a bit worried how long it would take for him to get back up to speed, but I think he has done that quite well. There will be days when we need him to win us points. That's where goalkeepers come into their own. It's what Nigel Martyn did really well for us at different times by saving us points; goalkeepers can have spells where they have nothing to do and it's when they're called upon that they can help us." (14/09/06)

Well Impressed

Nigel Martyn was one of a couple of ex-players cheering on the blues on Saturday, Big Dunc, and Killa the others, before doing one to Southport to have a few beers. Nige was well impressed with our new keeper.

Big Nige says: "Tim did everything right. He made two really good saves, but from a goalkeeper's perspective, you would expect him to make them. Where he was really impressive for me was his decision making. It was excellent, particularly the number of balls he collected on the edge of the box, which are very difficult. People perhaps don't realise how tricky it is to come for those but he didn't put a foot wrong. The future looks in safe hands and if he continues like that, there will be no problems." (12/09/06)

Ready

Tim says he is ready to fill the gloves of Nigel Martyn.

Tim explains: He is a phenomenal keeper who has done well here and throughout his career with the likes of England and Leeds. But it is not something I think about. I am my own keeper and I will do my own thing and leave comparisons with former players for other people.

"If it is Nigel Martyn helping get three points or me, the main thing is getting the three points and that is what I want to do."(16/08/06)

Cliches

Tim Howard insists he is not looking beyond this season at Everton as he's thinking only of the blues during his loan period.

Tim says "For me, it's just about looking forward to this year and seeing how this goes and putting everything I have into this year. I hate to rely on sports cliches, but I'm not looking to prove anything. I think I have proven myself and, as an athlete, you want to continue to prove yourself".

Tim reckons his relationship with Fergie is custy."Ferguson didn't treat me exceptionally bad or anything, in fact I have nothing but good thinigs to say about him".(10/08/06)

Say I'm Your No. 1

Tim Howard is prepared to battle for the number one slot with Dickie Wright, but in fairness it is a battle he should easily win. The on loan keeper, is only looking at this season, and he will make any decisions on his future next Summer. If that means being an Everton goal keeping legend that we all hope he could be, or going back to manure to play second fiddle to someone else, well I reckon he could make up his mind now.

Tim says: "You see the signings that the manager has brought in and the passion of the fans, so we can all hope for good things. Pre-season has been going pretty well, so everyone is excited about the new season.

I've only been in training for about a week-and-a-half but it's been good. I didn't come here under any illusions. You have got to earn your keep. There's no question. when you have got a squad of 20-something players and on any given day, only 11 can play. I have come here very open minded. The squad is a good group of guys. From a football stand point, there are some really good players. Bellefield was a breath of fresh air for me because it is a traditional training ground. Carrington is a bit of a community. It's not better or worse. It's just different. It's kind of new and I like that. My impressions have met my expectations.

I really can't allow myself to look past these next 12 months. For me, I would be really selling Everton short if I did that. The main objective is to look at the Premiership table and climb it as high as we can. We will set goals. But I would not be able to say what is going to happen next season. I'm sure Sir Alex will be watching closely.

But you look at Everton and see they have a really good fan base, fantastic stadium and everything about the club sells itself. I spoke to the gaffer, I looked at the club and thought that it could be a good thing. After a couple of discussions, away we went." (26/07/06)

First Impressions

Tim trained with Everton for the first time on Monday. Before committing himself to Everton, Tim spoke to his American team mate and former Everton player Bake McBride. Both he and Moyesy made it easier to join the Toffees.

Tim says: "I've had a good vacation and I'm excited to finally be here. I know Phil Neville having played with him for a couple of seasons plus I know a few of the other guys. They've been very open today.

The manager struck me as being very humble and honest and the biggest thing for me is he is ambitious. He has accomplished some good things as a manager but he is still very hungry and you can see that in the way he runs this club and the signings he brings in, which impressed me. Without question, I share that ambition. I have a fire in my belly and I want to achieve some good things.

This club is built for success. You see that in the club's history, I'm looking forward to being a very small piece of that puzzle. Collectively we have a very good unit here and if we put that work in the results will come our way. I like the stadium. It's one of the grounds that I look at and it's a real British football ground and just to be able to play there in front of those fans is something that I look forward to.

Brian McBride spoke volumes about the club. He was only here a short time, but he was successful here and scored a few goals. I'm just trying to settle in here. Personal targets will come later. From a team stand point, man we need to get the club moving up the table. We need to get 3 points every week. We know that won't happen, but we'll scratch and claw to try and make sure it does." (19/07/06)

Back Today

Everton's third new signing of the Summer is back today after his extended holiday following the World Cup and Moyesy may throw him straight into goal against Preston on Wednesday. Former team mates at manure, Phil Neville is convinced Everton have a great keeper.

Moyesy says: "Tim is back on Monday and I may put him straight in on Wednesday. We'll see."

Phil says: “When’s he going to turn up for training? We’re flogging ourselves on the training ground and he’s swanning around Disneyland on his holidays! I think we have signed a great goalkeeper and he will be such a good personality around the place.

We’ve been blessed at this club with Nigel Martyn and Richard Wright, two fantastic keepers and great characters in the dressing room. We are certainly getting another one that fits that bill. I got to know Tim very well at United and as soon as the Everton fans see him play they will realise just what a great keeper he is.” (17/07/06)

    Can't Wait

Tim can't wait for the season to start. He must be slightly cheesed off that he didn't get a game for USA in the World Cup instead of football head. Do yer gerra it. Kasey. As in a caseball. Oh forget it

Tim says: "I'm looking forward to what this upcoming season's going to bring. I haven't been this excited in ages. I have that nervous energy like it's your freshman year in high school. New team-mates, having to prove yourself all over again. It's daunting but it's fun. I'm going to jump in feet first and I think inevitably, the way I am, I'm going to be all about Everton.

"Whatever shirt I put on I fight for my team-mates. It's not going to be any different. In loan deals with a call-back clause, sometimes it's a short deal so it's like you have one foot in the door and one foot out the door. For me, my focus is going to be on Everton 100 per cent." (01/07/06)

Full Everton Squad