Mark Howard is a pathetic goalkeeper

[LoughboroBlade]

The OP is hyperbolic, but yesterday was another reminder that we need to address this sooner rather than later. It is not a top priority, but we need a commanding central defender, a midfield general, and a decent keeper – in that order.

 

[blade too long]

I cant see how Howard can be blamed for either goal
theres no way on earth he could have reached the oncoming player for the second
Usain Bolt wouldnt have got there

 

[Hartley Hare]

Rumour has it the Nasa planned trip to Mars will recover the ball Simmo kicked there when trying to take that penalty.

HH

 

[Deadbat]

I cant see how Howard can be blamed for either goal
theres no way on earth he could have reached the oncoming player for the second
Usain Bolt wouldnt have got there

He pushed it into the net. Unbelievably weak hands. Same as the Doncaster game. Shot was hard but straight at him. He can do anything but what he did.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Paddy still available and still fit

Kenny may well be still a good goalkeeper at this level , but would not have him back on principle . We stood by the guy when he was banned , and how did he repay us . By using a release clause in his contract to orchestrate a move elsewhere . Not for me .

Adkins will know our weak links , and its up to him to do something about it .

UTB

 

[blade too long]

He pushed it into the net. Unbelievably weak hands. Same as the Doncaster game. Shot was hard but straight at him. He can do anything but what he did.

did well to get a hand on it and pushed it onto the bar from point blank range had the misfortune it back spun back to the line

 

[judge]

You're obviously not old enough to remember some of the dross that have stood in goal for us ! Whilst Simonson was not that good there have been far worse !

You're obviously not old enough to remember some of the dross that have stood in goal for us ! Whilst Simonson was not that good there have been far worse !

Can remember as far back as seeing keith waugh and steve conroy first hand

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

When did you get back?

Yesterday after their second goal

 

[sheffielder]

He pushed it into the net. Unbelievably weak hands. Same as the Doncaster game. Shot was hard but straight at him. He can do anything but what he did.

Don't forget Bradford where he went down in instalments for their 1st

 

[mosbolad]

When I saw the goal at the match I thought Howard was unlucky as it appeared a decent 'save' that then looped into the net. The lad I was with blamed Howard saying he should have come for the ball instead of erm not doing.

Having watched the goal again I don't think he can be blamed at all for holding his position as their striker was being covered/chased down by Collins. However the attempted save does seem rather poor. Admittedly close range but he just sort of knocked it into the net. Once again the keeper comes under the closest of scrutiny, whereas if Collins had made the block in the first place....

I think the title of this thread is way over the top and as for him having 'all the time in the world' to come for the ball, I'm not at all sure of that either.

 

[longinthe toothblade]

When I saw the goal at the match I thought Howard was unlucky as it appeared a decent 'save' that then looped into the net. The lad I was with blamed Howard saying he should have come for the ball instead of erm not doing.

Having watched the goal again I don't think he can be blamed at all for holding his position as their striker was being covered/chased down by Collins. However the attempted save does seem rather poor. Admittedly close range but he just sort of knocked it into the net. Once again the keeper comes under the closest of scrutiny, whereas if Collins had made the block in the first place....

I think the title of this thread is way over the top and as for him having 'all the time in the world' to come for the ball, I'm not at all sure of that either.

Bang on

 

[Ginger Gnome]

The title is only slightly over the top, he's a poor goalkeeper who needs replacing. Second goal was very bad goalkeeping and it happens far too often.

 

[Woodwardfan]

He pushed it into the net. Unbelievably weak hands. Same as the Doncaster game. Shot was hard but straight at him. He can do anything but what he did.

Limp wrists are always a poor trait in keepers.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Limp wrists are always a poor trait in keepers.

To be fair to Howard , we all have short memories when he has saved us , with getting 3 points or even a draw. To me the bloke still looks restricted in his movement and due to the back problem affecting his agility and even kicking/ throwing the ball.

Get a solid back four and the last line of defence will not be seen as a major problem or suspect .

Others do not help him , but it seems its Howards turn for the rap , which is unfair IMO

UTB

 

[metalblade]

I cant see how Howard can be blamed for either goal
theres no way on earth he could have reached the oncoming player for the second
Usain Bolt wouldnt have got there

Look at the highlights why does Howard with his right hand slap the ball to his left towards a gaping goal he should have knocked it to his right and away past the nearpost for a corner. the more I see it the more it confirms he is a pathetic excuse for a keeper .................. says it all at his age and he is celebrating his 100th game for us ffs, has he played 200 games in his career yet ? Just goes to show the depths we have plummeted to when we have such a piss poor pair of keepers to choose from.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

The title is only slightly over the top, he's a poor goalkeeper who needs replacing. Second goal was very bad goalkeeping and it happens far too often.

A half fit Howard is seen as a better bet than a fully fit Long . Another quandry for Adkins to sort.

UTB

 

[Moosie]

While I'm no way defending Howard and yes he should be replaced if we go up, no one seemed to complain about him 18 months or so ago when we had the 9-10 games in a row where we didn't concede under Clough's stewardship.

The piss poor defence in front of him doesn't help, nor does the fact that teams carve us open every attack they seem to make. But the fact we are conceding goals isn't all down to him alone.

A half fit Howard is seen as a better bet than a fully fit Long . Another quandry for Adkins to sort.

UTB

Just how bad is George Long then if that's true?

 

[blade too long]

Look at the highlights why does Howard with his right hand slap the ball to his left towards a gaping goal he should have knocked it to his right and away past the nearpost for a corner. the more I see it the more it confirms he is a pathetic excuse for a keeper .................. says it all at his age and he is celebrating his 100th game for us ffs, has he played 200 games in his career yet ? Just goes to show the depths we have plummeted to when we have such a piss poor pair of keepers to choose from.

so in the nano second he gets to see it , he gets a hand to it knocks it upwards , hopefully over the top , it strikes the bar and backspins
it is far easier watching it after and saying what he should have done

very harsh on him to say what he should have done in the 20th of a second from the shot being hit
this is weak hands by a keeper

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...&mid=BA0C49F9B3B417810200BA0C49F9B3B417810200

 

[Mendi]

He not the greatest of players.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

so in the nano second he gets to see it , he gets a hand to it knocks it upwards , hopefully over the top , it strikes the bar and backspins
it is far easier watching it after and saying what he should have done

very harsh on him to say what he should have done in the 20th of a second from the shot being hit
this is weak hands by a keeper

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...&mid=BA0C49F9B3B417810200BA0C49F9B3B417810200

Behave, that's only going to stoke up the haters.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

FFS it's three points in the bag. Howard did what he could to save that shot and very nearly pulled it off.
Next stop, Boundary Park. All aboard!

 

[alcoblade]

Look at the highlights why does Howard with his right hand slap the ball to his left towards a gaping goal he should have knocked it to his right and away past the nearpost for a corner. the more I see it the more it confirms he is a pathetic excuse for a keeper .................. says it all at his age and he is celebrating his 100th game for us ffs, has he played 200 games in his career yet ? Just goes to show the depths we have plummeted to when we have such a piss poor pair of keepers to choose from.

I think the initial save is much better than you're suggesting. It's split second stuff. When slowed down, it looks like a mistake. At full speed, I think the criticism is harsh.

UTB

 

[Clarkey87]

You're obviously not old enough to remember some of the dross that have stood in goal for us ! Whilst Simonson was not that good there have been far worse !

Anyone post 1987 only for me

I am not going to dispute there probably has been worse than Simmo.

 

[Deadbat]

did well to get a hand on it and pushed it onto the bar from point blank range had the misfortune it back spun back to the line

It didn't hit the bar at all. He pushed it up into the air and effectively into his own net. There was no misfortune. It was poor goalkeeping.

 

[JohnDenver]

I suspect that we'll have to wait until next summer to replace Howard now, at least permanently. Hopefully he'll be released too. It's a shame there are a other positions in even more urgent need of strengthening. I'd still like to think we could get a keeper on loan but it's not something I expect.

Getting a first choice keeper on loan is a risky business. Assuming you find one worth the gamble, you don't know how long you'll have him for, and you know your existing keepers will take a huge blow to their confidence. So for various reasons you have to know the incoming keeper is a genuine class above what you have.

 

[Deadbat]

Someone on another forum summed it up for me. When was the last time you remembered Howard making a really top drawer save - one that looked all ends up a goal and he denies the opponent. I think the time you are all still thinking sums it up. The ball goes past him way too often. He is a goalkeeper whose job is to save shots. Yet he struggles with this aspect of the game. His distribution is abysmal and his decision making coming out for balls / crosses is questionable. Unsure what his attributes actually are. He is only playing because Long is even worse.

 

[JohnDenver]

It didn't hit the bar at all. He pushed it up into the air and effectively into his own net. There was no misfortune. It was poor goalkeeping.

It surprises me he's getting more criticism for this than for previous games. Other errors were considerably more obvious.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

It surprises me he's getting more criticism for this than for previous games. Other errors were considerably more obvious.

Easy target for those who have to find something to whine on about after a win for the Blades.

 

[blade too long]

It didn't hit the bar at all. He pushed it up into the air and effectively into his own net. There was no misfortune. It was poor goalkeeping.

swatched tyhe video looks to hit the bar this is what adds the back spin
still dont see how its poor,a snap shot from 2 to 3 yards , and he got someething on it
had it been from 20 to 30 yards yes then it would have been poor

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

My main gripe with Howard is how he dithers and slows everything right down.

A goalkeeper can set the tempo for the team with a quick/decisive throw out etc.

With how opponents set their stall out against us, having a keeper who puts us on the front foot very quickly would be a very good weapon.