30 Aug 2015 10:12:38
I was pondering last night, what on earth is going to happen with the Goalkeeping situation. Howard did well against Spurs, there is just one issue, he's garbage. Well, silly me, going back to the old ways of just saying everyone is bad. Let me rephrase that, he isn't any good, there are over 20 Keepers better than him in the Premier League, that's better. I was happy to see Joel in the team against Barnsley, was thinking 'go on son, take your chance', he did not. Joel is a keeper for me that can become good, he just needs confidence, to get confidence he needs games, he won't get games when he concedes 3 goals against Barnsley. 2 of which could of been stopped. So, let's just say neither are good enough right now, which they are not. What is it that makes them so, not that good?. Howard, I see lots of people saying he's a greath shot stopper, well if you count non long range shots or near post shots then fine. There is just one issue, every keeper is a good shot stopper, it is their job to stop shots from going in to the back of the net. So, he does the bare minimum prettu well I suppose. When he is not star jumping over a ball or conceding from anywhere over 20 yards. I'm not joking, think of the amount of long range shots he concedes, Gerrard's free kick last season, Ben Arfa's striker about 3-4 seasons ago. Lampard in the FA Cup final. Ryan Taylor half volley in 2011-12, Cabaye in 13-14. Assou Ekotto in 11-12. He just cannot save shots from distance. How many near post goals does he concede? Don't worry, I will spare you the pain of listing then, in fact I will save myself the pain as there is too many to list!. Commanding his area, yeah, this is something he fails at too, doesn't have a clue what he is doing with crosses or anything, how many times against Spurs did he run out then quit half way through, no communication with the Defenders. Catching the ball, by god, I am nervous as hell whenever we concede a corner, not because of his dodgy catching, oh ni, because he doesn't move. He stays still so anything coming in at pace is pretty much a guaranteed goal. Starting a counter attack, this is one of the things I like about Joel. He can kick it from his hands and start an attack, Howard prefers to hold it for a while, let the opposition get back while our players waste energy running just for Howard to roll it to the nearest player. Without dragging this out and making it look like I'm building to the conclusion of 'Joel is better!', I'm not. Neither is good enough, Joel can at least get better, or at least, can't get any worse. Howard is just, beyond infuriating. Statistically in the top 3 worst keepers in Europe last season and has cost us so many more points than he has saved us. The game against Spurs changes nothing, just like his game against Belgium in the World Cup where at least 14 of his 16 saves I'd expect every keeper to save. What I'm trying to say is, Howard, he's been a good servant and a not terrible signing I suppose. Neither he or Joel is reliablebor good enough at the moment. Please Roberto, sign a Goalkeeper.
30 Aug 2015 11:18:10
Howard did save us a point yesterday what he can do is block shots from close range and he is not bad at 1v1. I think he will have at least one more season before you get to see the back of him Swan. As for Joel he needs a run of games he should be playing every week in the reserves, as last season, when he got a run he did really improve.
30 Aug 2015 12:08:21
What nonsense Swan!! All keepers are good shot stoppers. Really!? That's like saying "all wingers are good dribblers or all defenders are good blockers". This Howard criticism is getting ridiculous now!Absolute rubbish mate sry!!
30 Aug 2015 12:13:56
Yeah I forgot to mention that, he is pretty good 1v1. I actually think Joel might benefit from some time out on loan at a Championship team, not sure if any Prem teams specifically need him. But then if Howard gets injured we have no one. Maybe we could try loaning in a second choice keeper for the season Joel is on loan?.
30 Aug 2015 12:16:52
See what I mean you give him a 8 yet spout a story on how bad Howard is not to mention part 2 barkley above that, both players have flaws but yesterday the whole team were below par, if a pundit had wrote those they would be lambasted but it's swan so it's ok, how fickle
30 Aug 2015 13:28:32
What on earth are you talking about mikedeblue? Howard was good yesterday, doesn't mean he is the be all end all. How am I fickle? Do you know the meaning of the word?. If I had said I always loved Howard yesterday then today said I always hated him, then change my mind again. Thay is fickle, saying he had one good match but reiterating what I have said MANY times before that he is too dodgy. That is not fickle.