Howard

[mosbolad]

It was a bloody good free kick needlessly given away.

It was an excellent free kick. Keepers very often are under the most scrutiny, every goal conceded being dissected as to what they did and could they have done better. I fall into this trap and to a great extent it is unfair as no other player comes under so much close scrutiny. Unfortunately it is the nature of the position and always will be.

For a bit of balance (from me), I think Howard is a competent League 1 keeper. He will make mistakes, all keepers do. Howard at 29yrs is at the peak of his career (age wise), and that peak seems to be League 1.

If there is an 'issue' with this team, and to be honest I don't think there is, but even if there is then Howard isn't it.

 

[sitwell]

Except he didn't.



http://www.skysports.com/football/n...aliser-brings-blades-back-from-two-goals-down

57 seconds into the clip.

What would you call it? Bottled it, didn't fancy it, dived out of the way, take yer pick.

No way bottled it ,he misjudged the pace of the ball ,why would a goalkeeper dive out of the way FFS are you for real ? Strange you haven't mentioned Bashams or Edgars part ,both far more culpable or mention the brilliant save on 51 seconds ? However I do remember you slagging Howard and bigging up Long just before the start of the season and then taking a month off after the Gillingham game.
As for your follow up post ,I agree entirely

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It was a bloody good free kick.

No it wasn't. It was good in that it was on target. It was not in the corner, was not right up against the post. It was at a comfortable height. This is the point where he pushes it into the corner.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Somewhat harsh to use the Eriksson wonder goal as an example that he can't manage long range shots.

He's a decent keeper, made some good saves, let some in he probably could have done better with last season. I think he looked hampered by his back during that spell but there was no faith from the management in Long. Longer term I think we could improve that position. A very good keeper makes the difference between being a good team and a really good team.

I think this strikes the right balance.

 

[boo radley]

A save is a save and arranging a decent wall is vital too. Hes not one of those keepers who throws himself about for the cameras and wants the glory when he makes a save ,I think a bit of perspective is needed and a look at other keepers both in our league and higher up, you would be surprised.

I agree, if we look around is there anyone better? It does not change the fact that he seems more vulnerable at free kicks, so lets not give them away. Saying that Bash won the tackle yesterday and we had a crap ref.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

No it wasn't. It was good in that it was on target. It was not in the corner, was not right up against the post. It was at a comfortable height. This is the point where he pushes it into the corner. View attachment 13571

On a technical note their player has done well to get the ball up and down from that close in, this contributes to it being a good free kick.

A.good free kick doesn't have to fly into a corner. It went the same side as the wall at a decent pace.

If this was easy to do then professionals would be doing it all the time. They don't.

Howard will have high standards and be rightly disappointed but it wasn't an egregious howler.

And he certainly doesn't need fans getting at him, so I hope whoever is behind the net on Tuesday supports him.

UTMB

 

[mosbolad]

No way bottled it ,he misjudged the pace of the ball ,why would a goalkeeper dive out of the way FFS are you for real ? Strange you haven't mentioned Bashams or Edgars part ,both far more culpable or mention the brilliant save on 51 seconds ? However I do remember you slagging Howard and bigging up Long just before the start of the season and then taking a month off after the Gillingham game.
As for your follow up post ,I agree entirely

Fair enough, we will agree to differ. To answer your question, 'why would a keeper dive out of the way FFS...'. Thats easy, its the same reason that defenders sometimes turn their back on a shot. He dived and stuck his legs in the way. He ought to have stuck his, body, face, hands, arms in the way. I can understand why he didn't, I wouldn't fancy it either, but then I'm not a keeper.

Yes I took a month off after the Gillingham game, (I am allowed to go on holiday you know), Long had a bad game as did the rest of the team. Atkins quickly switched keepers although it is of interest that Long was selected over Howard to start the season in the first place.

And of course by answering your question / or observations I am doing exactly what I have agreed is unfair to do, over scrutinising the keeper.

So once again for balance. I think Mark Howard when fit is a perfectly competent league one keeper, who like all the other players in the team (or any team) will make mistakes, which are in turn overly scrutinised by the likes or erm... me!

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think we've got more pressing matters than replacing our keeper, Howard has pulled off some cracking saves this season yet some pull him up for a well taken free kick today (which the wall didn't attempt to jump and block). If an opposition player has the ability to get a free kick up and over the wall and the wall aren't going to attempt to block it how's that Howard's fault? It was a bloody good free kick needlessly given away.

Exactly.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Howard may have an issue with long shots. I think he dives too early when he could take another step but tbh I don't really know. Goalkeeping is often very technical and not that many people seem to know very much about it.

 

[Guesty]

Somewhat harsh to use the Eriksson wonder goal as an example that he can't manage long range shots.

One of at least four free kicks conceded last season, a sign of a weakness either with Howard's keeping or his construction of his wall.

 

[robbiez666]

Howard may have an issue with long shots. I think he dives too early when he could take another step but tbh I don't really know. Goalkeeping is often very technical and not that many people seem to know very much about it.

I have some experience of playing in goal. His major issue with shots seems to be positioning and concentration. he often 'pulls-out' of saves, which looks like he he's either down too early or misjudges the flight/where he is in terms of the goal. That seems to be the issue when it looks like he's having difficulty extending his arm. Done it myself. Get there too early and you automatically pull your arms in. He also doesn't seem to get down to his left very well.

He's a decent League 1 keeper but the issue for me is that I'm not sure a decent league 1 keeper is good enough for an automatic promotion team. The shot-stopping issue from distance is one thing, the inability to command the box from crosses is probably more worrying.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I have some experience of playing in goal. His major issue with shots seems to be positioning and concentration. he often 'pulls-out' of saves, which looks like he he's either down too early or misjudges the flight/where he is in terms of the goal. That seems to be the issue when it looks like he's having difficulty extending his arm. Done it myself. Get there too early and you automatically pull your arms in. He also doesn't seem to get down to his left very well.

He's a decent League 1 keeper but the issue for me is that I'm not sure a decent league 1 keeper is good enough for an automatic promotion team. The shot-stopping issue from distance is one thing, the inability to command the box from crosses is probably more worrying.

Is it a bit of a catch 22 situation . The goalkeeper lacks confidence in his defence , and the defence lacks confidence in the goalkeeper , or a bit of both . I do think we become over critical of players performances , due to the fact we are all so desperate to get out of this league , and crave for some success.

Adkins does and will be anyalising the game this morning with the players and striving for continual improvement . The worry is , when things go wrong and you cannot do anything about it . This appears not to be the case with Adkins and his staff.

UTB

 

[Bladepicker]

I think we need a better 'keeper. Not sure who that is though, which is part of the problem I think. Every league one 'keeper this season has a mistake in them.

 

[robbiez666]

I think we need a better 'keeper. Not sure who that is though, which is part of the problem I think. Every league one 'keeper this season has a mistake in them.

You'll always get a few mistakes at this level and even world class keepers dropped the occasional clanger. Shot stopping is the easiest part of goalkeeping. Any keeper at any level has a worldly save in them. It's the catching, concentration, positioning, judgement, command and reliability aspect that determined where they end up. Much of it is to do with confidence. Keepers with low confidence or who aren't naturally confident,make errors as they overthink situations instead of automatically acting on experience.

 

[Deadbat]

To me I am somewhere in the middle of the posts on this thread. He was at fault for the goal yesterday. It should have been a simple save. Others were more to blame at Bradford but he dithered on both goals too coming and then staying etc but having a mess in front of him does not help. He has made a lot of mistakes in the last 6 months though. The Byrne shot at the Lane in the playoffs was schoolboy stuff. His actual play on crossing and catching is fine and generally don't think his organisational and command of area is that bad but long shots seem to evade him too easily. He seems to have quite weak hands as often gets something on it but a lot are pushed in. He struggles to see the ball in flight at times (the long shot he tipped over nearly beat him too).

You could see by other United player reactions when the goal went in yesterday that it was a clear goalkeeping error.

Being a former keeper myself I kind of over analyse keepers and sometimes overly blame them but there are a lot of goals that really should not have beaten him this season and last season.

There are a lot worse keepers at this level. Stuckmann yesterday made some decent saves but I thought he was all over the place a lot of the game.

However, in an ideal world we would be looking to upgrade this area and many others of course. Howard had a decent season a few years ago but in the main since we came down we have never had someone we can totally rely on in that key position.

If we get up he will have to be upgraded (as would many key positions). For now though cant see us replacing him.

I think Long/Willis need to be moved on (if not ready now at this level not sure they ever will be) and Howard needs some proper competition.

 

[BushBlade]

To me I am somewhere in the middle of the posts on this thread. He was at fault for the goal yesterday. It should have been a simple save. Others were more to blame at Bradford but he dithered on both goals too coming and then staying etc but having a mess in front of him does not help. He has made a lot of mistakes in the last 6 months though. The Byrne shot at the Lane in the playoffs was schoolboy stuff. His actual play on crossing and catching is fine and generally don't think his organisational and command of area is that bad but long shots seem to evade him too easily. He seems to have quite weak hands as often gets something on it but a lot are pushed in. He struggles to see the ball in flight at times (the long shot he tipped over nearly beat him too).

You could see by other United player reactions when the goal went in yesterday that it was a clear goalkeeping error.

Being a former keeper myself I kind of over analyse keepers and sometimes overly blame them but there are a lot of goals that really should not have beaten him this season and last season.

There are a lot worse keepers at this level. Stuckmann yesterday made some decent saves but I thought he was all over the place a lot of the game.

However, in an ideal world we would be looking to upgrade this area and many others of course. Howard had a decent season a few years ago but in the main since we came down we have never had someone we can totally rely on in that key position.

If we get up he will have to be upgraded (as would many key positions). For now though cant see us replacing him.

I think Long/Willis need to be moved on (if not ready now at this level not sure they ever will be) and Howard needs some proper competition.

Former keeper? You're Kevin Blackwell aren't you?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

On a technical note their player has done well to get the ball up and down from that close in, this contributes to it being a good free kick.

A.good free kick doesn't have to fly into a corner. It went the same side as the wall at a decent pace.

If this was easy to do then professionals would be doing it all the time. They don't.

Howard will have high standards and be rightly disappointed but it wasn't an egregious howler.

And he certainly doesn't need fans getting at him, so I hope whoever is behind the net on Tuesday supports him.

UTMB

If you thinking I'm "getting at Howard" or would translate what's criticism on here to actively undermining him at a game, you're mistaken.

I fear that with the spate of Long's errors at Gillingham and past seasons, added to memories of Simmo, a few of us have genuinely forgotten what it's like to actually have a keeper of good quality.

 

[BushBlade]

If you thinking I'm "getting at Howard" or would translate what's criticism on here to actively undermining him at a game, you're mistaken.

I fear that with the spate of Long's errors at Gillingham and past seasons, added to memories of Simmo, a few of us have genuinely forgotten what it's like to actually have a keeper of good quality.

How much could we do with a Kenny in his prime now? And he wasn't a patch on Tracey, Kelly or Mel.
But is Howard any worse than Simmo?

 

[robbiez666]

Former keeper? You're Kevin Blackwell aren't you?

Don't be daft, Deadbat clearly knows about football.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

If you thinking I'm "getting at Howard" or would translate what's criticism on here to actively undermining him at a game, you're mistaken.

I fear that with the spate of Long's errors at Gillingham and past seasons, added to memories of Simmo, a few of us have genuinely forgotten what it's like to actually have a keeper of good quality.

No. But there was a bloke at Walsall last season behind the goal who should've had some kind of restraining order, and restraining jacket, on him going purple-faced with rage at Howard.

The goal yesterday will be seen as a simple mistake by some and they may exercise their right to free expression on Tuesday.

I know Cantona waded into the crowd that time, but that was a Palace fan wasn't it.

I wonder if there.are precedents for players wading into their own fans.

Is it worth a poll...

"Who would you back in a terrace brawl between our keeper and a drunken fan?"

 

[BushBlade]

No. But there was a bloke at Walsall last season behind the goal who should've had some kind of restraining order, and restraining jacket, on him going purple-faced with rage at Howard.

The goal yesterday will be seen as a simple mistake by some and they may exercise their right to free expression on Tuesday.

I know Cantona waded into the crowd that time, but that was a Palace fan wasn't it.

I wonder if there.are precedents for players wading into their own fans.

Is it worth a poll...

"Who would you back in a terrace brawl between our keeper and a drunken fan?"

Depends on who the fan is. If it were me, I'd probably get my arse kicked.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

But is Howard any worse than Simmo?

No. And this is the point – we have improved on Simmo, but really not by much.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

No. But there was a bloke at Walsall last season behind the goal who should've had some kind of restraining order, and restraining jacket, on him going purple-faced with rage at Howard.

The goal yesterday will be seen as a simple mistake by some and they may exercise their right to free expression on Tuesday.

I know Cantona waded into the crowd that time, but that was a Palace fan wasn't it.

I wonder if there.are precedents for players wading into their own fans.

Is it worth a poll...

"Who would you back in a terrace brawl between our keeper and a drunken fan?"

The drunken fan

UTB

 

[LSF]

Reading this thread would tend to indicate we have the worst keeper in the division such is some of his foibles.
Fortunately Sitwell, as ever, lends a bit of sanity to the shooting match and sums up Howard well.
He aint the best in the world, but in this division, he's as good as it gets.
Makes mistakes at times, they all do, gets us out of the shite at times, they all do.
He's up to scratch, once the manager decides he isn't, he'll replace.
Can't see what there is to moan about missen.... But I'm a clapper so.....

 

[Blade58]

No. And this is the point – we have improved on Simmo, but really not by much.

I wont decide whether or not he's better than Simmo until he takes a penalty

 

[robbiez666]

I think the standard of goalkeeping in general in this country has plummeted over the last few years.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Reading this thread would tend to indicate we have the worst keeper in the division such is some of his foibles.

Nonsense – where has anyone actually said this on the thread, or remotely suggested such? I've got absolutely no axe to grind with Howard – where he does well, I praise him; where he does poorly, I criticise him. So long as the errors occur in games we win anyway, it might be insignificant across the season. But long-term we absolutely must be looking for someone better than him. I still also doubt that he'll last a full season without breaking down due to injury – already seeing some comments excusing his errors due to problems with his back...

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

The technical side was that his positioning was wrong and he started to go the wrong way and then completely messed it up.

'cos he didn't have JCR to position him, had to rely on Flynny yesterday.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

I think the standard of goalkeeping in general in this country has plummeted over the last few years.

Always seemed to be one of our strengths in the past Robbie, goalies.We have had some top drawer ones, but have struggled to find one since Paddy upped and left.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

To be fair to Howard, he wouldn't have been put in that position if the Donny player hadn't been allowed to waltz his way past 2 or 3 of our players with no challenges put in.