Tim Howard has been a wonderful servant for Everton – over 300 games since 2006 is testament to that. However all things eventually come to an end, and time is now up for the 36-year-old goalkeeper.
Howard has always been a solid keeper, certainly not in the world-class category despite the overreaction to his performance for the USA against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup, but generally reliable.
After starting his professional career in the MLS, Howard had four years at Manchester United from 2003 for 45 appearances. Mixed form saw Howard go on loan to Everton in 2006, and this loan move was made permanent in 2007.
Howard has remained Everton’s number one between the sticks ever since.
His strengths have generally been his shot stopping and his durability, missing very few games through injury. At times Howard has been questionable with shots from distance and certainly his inability to command the box on corners and set pieces has been a criticism for a long time.
Against Arsenal on the weekend, Howard’s inability to decide when to come off his line and commit caused the Everton defence to leak goals. Unfortunately for Howard, he has been at fault for a large percentage of goals scored this season, highlighted by awful performances against West Bromwich, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal – the last four Premier League games Everton have been involved in.
In such a tight league, with such a fine line between winning and losing, Howard is costing Everton dearly.
If Howard finishes up this season, he can certainly look back on his career with pride. Along with being a long-term Premier League player, he also has over 100 international caps to his name and been involved in three World Cup campaigns, two of these as the number one.
The trophy cabinet will also have plenty of items on display – Howard has collected an FA Cup medal, League Cup medal, and played in Manchester United’s 2003 Community Shield win, along with various individual honours.
While the time is right for Tim Howard to move on, questions have been raised regarding Everton’s back-up keeper, Joel Robles. But Robles did show last year when he had a run of games and some confidence that he is capable. Game time is the key for Robles, rather than sitting on the bench all season and playing the occasional FA Cup tie.
Roberto Martinez cannot continue to reward poor performance and Howard needs to be held to account. Everton’s season is currently on the edge and Martinez is also a man under pressure to deliver after Everton’s poor 2014-15 campaign.
Will Martinez be brave enough to drop Tim Howard?
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