24. Tim Howard - 07/08

Tim's My Man of The Season

Howard Kendall, Everton's Greatest ever Manager has pin pointed Tim Howard as the Blues unsung hero from this season. With Roger Lescott taking all the awards this term, Kendall believes Tim Howard was not far behind in terms of performance. He is still behind Big Nev in Everton folk lore, but if he turns out to be half as good as the Welsh Giant, we have a good un for years to come.

Howard Kendall says: "It may be not the player that everyone would be selecting but I would choose Tim Howard. I don’t think he has made and error that has been costly. I think that consistency is important and I think that he has been a great signing.

Nobody compares with Neville. But Howard has been fantastic. Neville didn’t make an error in his career and he wouldn’t admit it if he had!" (17/05/08)

Clean Sheet Please Tim

We all know about the clean sheet record that Tim is trying to equal, but if he does manage a clean sheet it will mean Everton qualify for Europe.

Tim says “I know the record is still there to equalled. Last year I needed to keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge but missed out and this year it seems like I’ve had about eight chances to do it. Hopefully we will do it next week and if we do it, it will be as a team. It’s not just about me

“It hasn’thappened recently but we are due one. I’d be over the moon if it came against Newcastle.The season is 38 games and we were prepared right from the start to go that distance to secure what we want.

“We would have loved to have qualified for Europe a few weeks back but that’s not the case.It’s going down to the wire and we have got to be prepared for one last battle. Nothing is given to you in football.”(05/05/08)

Just One More

Moyesy is keeping his fingers crossed that Tim Howard records another shut out at home to Chelski tomorrow night to equal Big Nev's clean sheet record in the League. If The Yak or AJ can pop up at the other end and bang one in the onion bag, it will be three points to the Blues, here's hoping anyway.

Moyesy says: "That would be a fantastic achievemnt, not just for Tim but for the team to have done that. We have got to try and get that and if we can do it tomorrow night it will go a long way to ensuring we get a good result." (16/04/08)

Tim On Target

Tim Howard has five matches to equal Neville Southall's twelve year record of the most clean sheets in a Premiership season. Tim is currently on 14 clean sheets after his shut out against relegated Derby County at the weekend, and one more will put him on par with Everton's greatest ever goalkeeper. That's not bad company your keeping Tim, yer know.

Tim says: "I am really happy with the situation here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Joleon and Joseph have been at the back most of the season and I feel very comfortable with those guys. But it’s been the same when Jags has been there too." (09/04/08)

'USA' Chant Is Special

Tim has praised the Everton fans for getting behind the team and loves to hear the 'USA' chant being sung.

Tim says: "They play such a vital role, particularly at home – obviously we have a great travelling support, but at home, the way they spur is on is so encouraging. It allows us to push and play the football that they like to see and then they get up and they’re roaring and you hear the back of the seats flipping up, and it makes it very difficult for the away team because they feel the pressure.

I’m as much of a spectator as the fans when the ball is at the other end of the pitch. I’m clapping, ooh-ing and aah-ing and chanting. Any time you have any type of chant or song sang about you, it shows an affection and it shows that you’re appreciated. So for me every time that happens it’s fantastic. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up because I just think that it’s really something special because it’s a special club and to feel a part of that is awesome." (02/04/08)

Clean Sheets

Tim has put the secret of his clean sheets down to team work between himself and his back four this season. With sixteen already this term, including five in the last seven, it has been the bedrock of the Blues march towards Champions League Qualification.

Tim says: "The boys in front of me are doing the business and it’s exciting for me and the guys to out there and put on good performances. I think we needed it. I believe clean sheets come in stages and we have done that – it has been really good for our confidence. We always say we cover for one another and it is never going to be perfect – that is very difficult. From a defensive point stand point our mindset is always to cover for one another and if a mistake is made so be it. We get around each other and the ball. If something needs to be said or done we hammer it out and get on with it. Right now, nobody is taking liberties with one another. We are strong for each other, covering for each other and that is what makes a good defence." (19/02/08)

Lets Look Forward

Tim who was blamed by some fans for the last minute goal scored by Chelsea in the Carling cup during the week wants to put it behind him and then move into the top four of the premiership by beating Man City on Saturday.

Tim says: “That is the hard thing about the games at the top level. We can’t afford to be down on ourselves for the next couple of days. We have got to come back strong and prepare for Manchester City. That is going to be an incredible game at our place and that is the good side of it. We have got a great chance to put the Chelsea result in the past and move on. If we could win and get into the top four, it could only boost our confidence. We have worked so hard and got a lot of good results. There is a lot to look forward to.” (10/01/08)

Best Yet

Everton's greatest ever keeper Neville Southall (sorry Westy), believes at last Everton have found a long term successor to Everton's most decorated player. For sixteen years Southy kept the Blues goal safe, and after the Thomas Mhyre's and Dickie Wright years did not really set the world on fire, Big Nev thinks at last that USA's No. 1 Tim Howard is the man to take Everton forward.

Big Nev says: "Tim’s done alright and they’ve got a couple of young keepers as well. Stefan Wessels can step in so they haven’t got a massive problem in that department. If you’re going to go and win things then you need two or three decent goalkeepers.

Tim is playing really, really well and on current form he’s right up there with the best of them. Wessels came in and didn’t let them down whatsoever which is really good because we’ve not had that kind of depth before. Tim doesn’t make many mistakes. The difference between him and possibly Richard Wright is that the defence trust him – that’s a massive boost. You can look at him and know what he’s going to give you which is everything he’s got.

Overall, he’s really consistent and he suits Everton in what they are now. He’s just what they need. He’s comfortable with the people around him and knows who needs to be told that they’re doing wrong and who needs a pat on the back." (28/11/07)

Lets Have a Blow

Even though Tim himself will be away in South Africa with the USA, he thinks the International break will do the Blues players the world of good, as it will give most of our squad time to rest. With the Blues on their best run of form for seasons, the Blues keeper believes everyone will come back next week raring to go.

Tim says: "It is a good time for a break. We have been on a good run of form. We can get away, some of the guys can put their feet up and when we come back we will be raring to go. The boys go away now, some of us get a break and some of us don't. The boys who aren't going away will have a little break and the manager will sort out our rest." (14/11/07)

Could Be Better

Tim Howard is hoping that a good result against the Greeks of Larissa tomorrow night will kick start the Blues season. We currently lie eleventh, but are still in the Carling and UEFA Cup's, so in Tim's eyes we should not feel to bad about it, though it could be better. The players feel the UEFA draw has been kind to them, so lets hope come next February we are still queuing up for four hours for the mad scramble for away tickets.

Tim says: "It's been a middle of the road kind of start. We can't get too optimistic about what we have done but we can't get too down in the dumps either. We have had a few key guys on the treatment table recently so hopefully when they come back fit and ready, we will be able to kick on from there. There is a lot of potential and ambition here but the beginning of the season has been hard.

The draw has been good. There isn't a whole lot of travelling, which is a benefit to us as we only have to go Holland and Germany. But when you get to the group stages, there are a lot of really good sides, so we won't underestimate anyone." (23/10/07)

Small Club

After taking four points out of six last season, scoring three and conceding none against the shite, Tim Howard has allowed himself a little wry smile over Rafa the Tit's small club comment. He is hoping it re appears again today as the Blues hopefully seal another home three points against a team without a title win in eighteen years come next May.

Tim says: "We got two really good results against them last season and we know what Rafa Benitez (Peter Kay) said. But if you’re level headed and look at your own performance, we all know we did a good job.

Someone can try to take it away from us, but they won’t. It’s right when you say that it’s not something he would ever say if they had beaten us. I don’t think you need any extra incentive in a match like this, and if he’s saying it again afterwards, then great. When people come out and say those type of things, it is a backwards compliment. No-one needs any extra motivation but it would be nice if he’s saying we are a small club again on Saturday. But if get a result and play well, it won’t matter what anyone has said. We will all be in the dressing room knowing what we’ve done." (20/10/07)

Buzz For Europe

There's a buzz about the place after two wins and two clean sheets. Tim reckons the players are ready for the big challenge in Europe this week.

Tim says: “The manager was saying you can feel it a little bit in the team, the guys are pushing each other on. We’re battling for places and there’s a good buzz about the place. We need to get into the group stages, we know that. That’s what we want to do. We’ve got our work cut out but given the way we played here against Metalist we were a little bit encouraged. We created some chances and didn’t take them but we’re hoping to go there and get a result.”

It’s never fun or easy watching. You’re cheering your team-mates on but the competitor in all of us wants to be out there by hook or by crook. Whether we’re playing well or not so well you just want to be out there pushing a ball and seeing where you’re at. Of course Stefan had done well in my absence, he’s been at one of the biggest clubs in the world with Bayern Munich playing alongside Oliver Kahn and has played at Cologne as first choice.

He’s no pushover. He’s done really well integrating into the squad, has been pushing really hard and keeps his mouth shut and his head down. He’s a good guy and a good goalkeeper too. It’s one of those things, if you haven’t done it in a while, you think can you still do it. That’s just me but as a team we got one with Stefan behind the back four and now one against Middlesbrough. It’s good because personally I think they come in bunches. Over the course of last season there was a period when we didn’t get any then we got three or four.

You want to advance in the cup but when managers come out and say ‘It’s all about the Premier League’ it really is. We got back to winning ways during the week but when it got to the weekend we thought we really need a result. If you looked at the table before the game we were down in eighth and you worried about being pushed into the bottom half but with the win we’ve gone up to fifth – it’s that tight.” (02/10/07)

Chance For Tim

Ex Everton keeper Nigel Martyn is convinced that Tim Howard will make Saturday's match against manure after the American keeper dislocated his finger in his country's defeat to Brazil over the weekend. The now retired ex England keeper has put his faith in Basil Rathbone to concoct a device to keep Tim's mitt's safe for the vital clash.

Nigel says: "He is going to be in discomfort for a while, but I’m sure our trusted physio Mick Rathbone will be able to concoct some sort of device to protect the finger and as long as there is no chance of him suffering any further damage Tim should be good to go." (11/09/07)

Good Start Vital

Tim wants Everton to come out of the blocks fast and get a few wins under their belts early doors.

Tim says: "We started really well last year and it kicked us on. Hopefully we will do the same this season. Any team that does not start well put themselves in a terrible hole. If you look at the transfer window, clubs are buying all over the place - everybody is strengthening so it is going to be a lot tougher. It was pleasing to get a clean sheet and the boys at the back look strong. There is competition at the back but there was last year - it is healthy and its good and we are all looking forward to it." (09/08/07)

Better Equipped This Time

Tim Howard is relishing the new season, especially the prospect of another crack at Europe. The Blues last venture to the Continent back in 2005 ended in embarrassment when Bucharest put paid to a lack lustre performance to dump the Blues out of the UEFA Cup at the first attempt. Tim was not in the Blues squad then, but the players that were want to put the debacle of Bucharest behind them.

On the home front the American Keeper who has tasted domestic success whilst at manure, would love to hold aloft a trophy with the Blues. Lets hope so, as we know the safest hands in Soccer certainly would not drop it. Get it drop it, keeper, just the best journalistic switch ever that was. Jesus I am off for a brandy to celebrate that one !!

Tim says: "I would like to think we are more qualified for Europe this time around. Obviously we need to continue to bring in new players but we have already signed two or three really good players so it is looking bright for this year. Our goal for the season is finishing in a European spot in the league and hopefully get into the later rounds and push for silverware both domestically and in Europe.

We are ambitious as a Club and hopefully we can do all that. The new signings have impressed me - Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar - and I am looking forward to seeing them in action for us this year. It would be great to lift a Cup as an Everton player - it doesn't matter what cup, it is just exciting to win trophies of any sort and more generally our ambition is to continue to qualify for Europe every year." (29/07/07)

Turn This Result Around

Tim made four outstanding saves against Real Salt Lake, but was at fault for a goal.

Tim says: “You know, it just wasn’t good enough and we were poor. The only thing we can really take out of it was that it was a training exercise. It wasn’t a very good match. If we could do it all over again, we would make sure it was a different outcome. It was poor. Thank goodness it was pre-season. We have no excuses. Yes we have travelled and we have been training hard but we are better than that. We were heavy-legged, maybe we weren’t all in to it and there was a bit of fatigue. Sometimes these things come into factor, but we are not paid to make excuses and we all know that.

I was disappointed with the first goal. We have been training at altitude and the ball drifted on me when I came for the corner. It has been doing that all week in training and I was worried about it. They played really well and we certainly have a lot of respect for them as a team. Hopefully when results really count, we will be bang on form. I think the manager and the board are working towards that. We have got Timmy Cahill to come back, Steven Pienaar is coming and Jags is here too. They are exciting things and now we have to start putting it right on the pitch.”
(23/07/07)

Extra Week's Rest

After winning the Gold Cup for the USA, Tim has been given an extra week off. The Everton 1st team squad arrive back at Bellefield next week, but Tim who has been playing and training since the last game against Chelsea on 13th May will be back in a fortnight. (26/06/07)

Become The Legend

Everton Skipper Phil Neville is backing Tim Howard to become an Everton Legend between the sticks. Phil has done his homework and he knows that our Big Nev was the greatest ever to don the the Everton jersey, but he thinks that Tim in time won't be far behind him in years to come.

Phil says: "Neville Southall is the best keeper to ever have played for Everton and the older generation will have tremendous memories of him. But we have got a keeper now who is more than capable of creating his own legacy. He can gives this team the kind of terrific protection and reassurance that Big Nev did back in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Of the three signings we made last summer, Tim was probably the one who attracted least attention but he made as big an impact as any. He came from Manchester United and even though he had played for a big club, he still had something to prove. He has come in here and worked his socks off. He fitted in superbly and his performances have spoke volumes. During the course of the season, there was maybe only two or three goals he was at fault for and for a keeper, that puts him right in the top bracket." (19/06/07)

States No. 1

USA Coach Bob Bradley has confirmed that Tim Howard will be the States Number One Keeper in this Summer's Gold Cup. Our Tim replaces Kasey Keller, that is he who used to present America's Top 100 Countdown, or was that Kasey Kasem, no hold on he was the guy who bought Remington because he had a good shave once, sorry that was Victor Kiam. Sod it Tim's in goal whatever happens.

Bob Bradley says: " We enter this tournament with the thought that Tim Howard is our number one goalkeeper." (26/05/07)

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