Howard remains '№ 1' despite Robles's recent form

Rather Martinez out. Performance counts for nothing.

He's going up in everybody's estimation except, it seems, Martinez, judging by what he's saying about Howard being number one? Competition for places should count for goalkeepers, as well as outfield players, and if Robles is playing well, then he keeps his place.

I really hope this is mind-games to keep Robles on his toes. He doesn't deserve to be dropped and Howards pre-injury form certainly doesn't merit inclusion. I think Robles surprised all of us with his performances which have largely been responsible for 3 straight clean sheets.

Howard has never filled me with confidence and has been directly responsible for a few goals conceded this season. I'd like to see an experienced keeper brought in and Howard sacked off to the MLS which is probably more his level now.

Why the fuck does he try to cross bridges before he comes to them? Why not save face for himself and both keepers by simply saying they have presented him with a nice problem.

The shirt should be his until his form etc deserts him.

What is it about Martinez? He brought Robles in, telling us he was a good keeper, when he finally gets to prove Martinez right, Martinez talks about dropping him.

Same with Kone, Lukaku stinks the gaff out, or is off form or, like Saturday, crap AND knackered, yet a fully fit Kone is left on the bench despite there being ample opportunity to sub Lukaku in Kone’s favour. And the style we were playing would favour Kone more than Lukaku. This guy is worse than Moyes for having favourites. Er... Barry, for instance? I was hoping he’d get booked on Saturday so he’d be unavailable for two games...

What makes it worse is there's Mirallas undermining him at every opportunity yet he gets praise heaped on him. While Robles who hasn't griped at all get told as some as clapped out Howard is fit he's back on the bench. Makes no sense at all.

Robles is our keeper.

Ossie, Baines and Jags, maybe?

If this do'es happen it just means that RM has not been watching the games. I was always of the opinion that you play your in form players, and we all are aware of the form that Howard was not in.

Utterly bizaare statement to make and as mentioned above, what is Robles supposed to think? He comes in, is a bit nervous at first but has gotten better every game since. Now he can say he's kept 3 clean sheets on the trott and has to hear his manager saying Howard will basically walk straight back into the team in a weeks time?

Madness if true.

We have enough senior players who walk into the side regardless of their form or the form of others. Barry, Baines, Jags have all been/are off form but if fit always start. Must be so demotivating being a young hungry player in the wings knowing you're just not going to get in the team unless there's an injury.

I wonder if some of the players have it in their contracts that the club has to play them a certain number of games if fit or they get paid extra. Howards new 4 year contract last year still leaves me scratching my head and Barry must surely have some sort of 'play me' clause in his.

However, I'm happy to eat humble pie and see him grow in confidence game by game into what looks like a decent keeper. Amazing what a run of games can do to a player (see Besic as another example)....

Shame more of the younger/fringe players don't get a look in when the likes of Barry and Howard seem to keep their places no matter what.

Robles has been everything that Howard has never been nor is he likely to at his age. He can catch and hold on to the ball, he commands his area, he does not come too far out of goal to make it easier for a striker bearing down on goal, his feet are coordinated and he has not looked like a "help-yourself buffet" Tim.

If true, then it seems that Roberto is never going to concede that long contracts for the elderly were a mistake and we will have to suffer the same inept performances from the winter fuel payment XI ad nauseum.

Seriously though Joel must be well pissed off on hearing this.

My dislike for the Spanish clown grows by the day.

Fuck off, Martinez, you haven't got a clue.

For god's sake, Roberto, just keep yer trap shut for 48 hours for once in your life.

I was a fan of Howard up until this season but he's been atrocious since the World Cup. So, why the hell should he walk back into the side?!? It beggars belief...

“I wouldn’t say one way or the other but he is very very close and Tim is the number one and then it’s just down to the competition from Joel and it’s great to see Joel performing the way he has done.”

Now to me I hear a manager keeping his keepers on their toes, Joel has played very well and grown in confidence to between the lines this is saying he has done well but isn’t giving away who will play when both fit. This has been a big problem with Howard having no competition now he has it, Martinez needs to make sure Joel knows he has to keep performing. Howard wont be the first or last so-called № 1 who isn’t automatically first choice.

One thing that has no doubt helped Robles is that he hasn't had to do too much recently as our defence has 'tightened' but when called for has acquitted himself very well whereas Howard was getting a great deal of practice. Joel also has a huge kick on him so gets the ball downfield when needed etc, not pretty but effective in relieving pressure at times.

I've always been a huge Howard booster, but Robles's athleticism is off the charts, and he appears to have resolved his biggest weakness, which was dropping the ball under pressure. If he does well against Chelsea, I'd rather see him keep his place.

Those wishing Howard off to MLS can stop wishing. I'm told it's a done deal at the end of this season.

Every time this poor excuse for a PL manager opens his mouth I despair.

Interesting derby; symmetrical as against assy-fecking-metrical now this statement which can do nothing for Robles's confidence is beyond comment. I am so angry I have to be careful what I write about this man.

Just off to get the tablets before it's too late!

But, for me, the bigger issue is that neither of them are good enough. If only we had Nigel Martyn or Big Nev. Hell, I'd take Ruddy.

Surely he has lost his position with Robles doing well.

Howard's injury has been a blessing in disguise as Robles knew he was going to get a good run of games and he's been solid, leave well enough alone Martinez, the lad's earnt his place!

What he means is that Howard is going to go straight back in once fit, and if he performs badly he will go straight back out again, this is what I take from it anyway, it's all mind games. He is keeping Howard happy and at the same time is giving him fair warning and marking his card.

The problem for me is that Robles is playing with a decent bit of confidence after getting a run in the team, and although he still looks very much a rooky at times he has done enough to retain his position.

I was working in Swansea today and no-one had a bad word to say about Martinez, albeit everyone was very amused at his incessant positivity. All liked Rogers too, though a couple of people met him again after he joined LFC and said he'd turned into a complete twat.

So, to be fair to Martinez, he hasn't actually done anything yet, other than saying Howard is the number 1. For all we know, Robles could be getting big headed and needs to be kept on his toes. None of us are privy to what goes on at Finch Farm.

One thing we do know is that Martinez looks to have got it right when he brought him from Wigan. There is a very promising keeper there, just need to see how consistent he can be and if he can work on his decisions during one-on-ones.

I look to a similar situation at West Ham, Jaaskalinen was there № 1 and I think he picked up an injury and new signing at the time Adrian came in and looked shaky at times, but got his act together, started to play well and the lad his there No.1 now and looking like a very good premier league keeper!

Howard isn't going to go on forever so maybe we should show some faith in Joel for as long as poss, see if he keeps his form up and if not, bring Howard back in and look for a new keeper come the summer.

But Joel deserves an extended run in the side currently.

He needs to concentrate on attack, not the defence which is pretty watertight at present. Lukaku needs dropping pronto and Barry needs to be told he is no more than a bit part player from now on.

I pray to God BK has a backup plan and sacks this clown when we reach safety, I cannot stomach another season of shite on the field followed by shite coming out of his mouth.

I'd get rid of both Howard and Barry.

What do you think now? Opinions changed?

Robles has been short of game time and looked nervy and shot of confidence in his limited opportunities. He gets a run in the side, confidence grows and he plays well. He is undoubtedly going to improve. So the coach comes out with another uncalled for, asinine, confidence destroying piece of shit.

Robles needed games to gain confidence and for us to judge him. His pace and flexibility allows him to predict and react. At times he will make mistakes, that is expected. I would be shocked if the manager dropped him, based on what?

Howard had a decent few games in the World Cup but he has been shite for us on consistently. He should have been given a long term contract at his age. Barry also was given a three year deal. Are we a retirement home or a football club. Mourinho wouldnÂ’t give them a two-year deal so why should we be different.

Th message this send out is if you are young and play well IÂ’m going to keep you in the stiffs. Is it no wonder the likes of Garbutt Besic and Oviedo get frustrated with Martinez. These are the future of our club and he is telling them basically to "fuck off IÂ’m in charge".

Hopefully these players will be at our club longer than Mr Ego.

When he played his first games for us it was his unamazing punched clearances that scared the shite out of me and now that he has apparently stopped that he certainly has gone up again in my estimation.

He is a big young lad in a very special moment who I think could be our man between the sticks for years to come - if he gets some credible encouragement from the right people.

Cue Roberto, stepping up to shatter that confidence. So even if he keeps a clean sheet at free scoring Chelsea, he will make way for Howard who HAS TO LOSE his position. So there you have it, you can't 'win your place' in this Everton side. Someone has to play atrociously for weeks on end until they lose the place for themselves.

How do you like that logic from Mr Positive?

3 clean sheets on the bounce. How can you possibly talk about replacing him?

You do not change a winning side, or a side that has not lost, especially after such a bad run of results, and you certainly don’t change a defense that has not conceded. Where is the incentive to improve and fight for your place?

I am not the biggest fan of Robles, but credit where credit is due, he has earned his place! Martinez, you have no idea, my friend. Just sit back, shut up and let the players decide for themselves, you have lost all credibility and respect.

Gerard's free kick in the derby was not dissimilar to the one Howard flapped into the net last year, yet Robles made it look simple to save. When Stirling broke through, did Robles do a "star jump" like our No 1 would have done. No; he stayed big and made the save. Howard should earn his place back not just walk in.

At Spurs, Pochetino is playing young in-form players throughout the team and the big names are sitting on the bench. Martinez should take note and keep playing the form players, of which Robles is one.

Take note, Roberto; this is probably the first time in history, that 30 Evertonians have agreed on anything!!

I will say to all the Howard haters though, that, while I’m not his biggest fan, he loves Everton Football Club and has been nothing but grateful for the chance that Moyes gave him to establish himself in the PL. He’s not the best goalie in the world but, after the World Cup, the American public thought that he was and he could have gone back home and earnt a fortune off the back of the publicity generated. He didn’t and he stayed with us because he loves the club and believes he still has something to offer. I think for that he deserves some respect.

It’s sad to see him such an unpopular figure. I for one am grateful for the passion and effort that he has put into the club over the years. We’re so quick to jump down the necks of players who show ambitions to play for richer clubs yet we give no credit to players who have stuck with us for years, winning nothing and earning less than they could elsewhere.

Jokes aside, these sort of comments worry me. I get that a certain amount 'foxing' keeps people guessing, but you never when RM's being serious these days.

A lot of people were scared shitless when Howard got injured, itÂ’s all very well saying in hindsight "IÂ’m happy to eat humble pie" but why didnÂ’t you just support your players instead of the rediculous negative comments.

I love nothing more than reading TW every day as it proves that IÂ’m sane in insane world. Keep it up, Bobby and fellow ToffeeWebbers, you certainly entertain me more than the team do on the field.

Joel is showing great form, he's learning in every game, our defenders are quite vocal in telling him what they expect from him. I can't remember any of our defenders rollicking Howard for any of his mistakes. I like that difference, I think it's a positive to build on.

But Howard is our No.1 and deserves his chance to prove he is equally as good as Robles. We all know the answer to that if he plays anything like he did until he got injured, so it's a bit of a no brainer from Martinez when he says it's Tim's to lose.

Last season we saw the emergence of John Stones, I'm hoping this season we see a similar progression with Robles. I'm extremely pleased he's proving me and many other doubters wrong, let's hope he continues his form against Chelsea.

Martinez wants the highest number of Facebook friends and likes from current and former players. We have our very own Miss Congeniality... We're like Goldilocks – we tried Miserable and Dour and then Happy Clappy... There has to be a middle ground somewhere out there!

Now when Robles has been given a run of games, he has proved that he can be an able deputy to Tim Howard. I agree with Martinez – in spite of some mistakes that has cost us valuable points unfortunately, Tim Howard is Everton's № 1 goalkeeper. That is how you keep Tim Howard on his toes and also Joel Robles knows that his time will come in one or two seasons and he can become Everton's № 1 for a very long time to come. I don't see this as anything other than good GK management by Martinez. It is interesting that nobody now seems to be talking about GK being our № 1 priority to address in the summer.

My hunch about how this will play out (as many others have mentioned before me) is that Tim Howard will probably move to an MLS club to see out his remaining playing days. And we could hardly grudge him that for his long and mostly illustrious service to Everton. Whether it will happen this summer or the next year, I don't know.

What a load of nonsense. People wanted Robles to be given a chance ages ago. He got a few games here and there and looked a liability. It was almost unanimously decided that Howard wasn't going to lose his place.

Fast forward a few months and first team football has been thrust upon Robles by Howard's injury. Howard having been out of form for a while, I should add. The Spaniard comes in, looks more assured than ever and keeps a run of clean sheets. People now seem to agree that Robles should keep his place.

That is not 'fickle', Ajay. That is judging on merits. Robles has earned that spot by taking his chance this time around.

Robles is 24, 6'-5", can pluck a ball out of the air from set pieces, has kept three clean sheets on the trot after replacing a goalkeeper who was sadly out of form, is playing behind a back four that now looks far less jittery, and he can throw a ball past the halfway line and find a man, and is willing to go down at a forward's feet.

Phew, that was a long sentence.

That's going to knock Joel's confidence isn't it? Basically no matter what he does on Wednesday, he's going to get dropped for Howard anyway.

Yet again, players picked on reputation over form.

Do you honestly think that if Howard had been approached by a richer club with a chance of winning silverware, that he would have turned it down?

I would regard Joel (sounds like Superman's uncle) as equal with Tim at the moment. Both could make mistakes and cost us a game; both on their day are capable of keeping a clean sheet. But... I can't see Tim playing a further full season both from an age/ form perspective and I for one would be happy for him to have a swansong in the MLS. Joel has earned an extended run, let's see how he does between now and the end of the season. If he doesn't cut it, get that new GK in in the summer.

People want to see what suits their agenda.

When we signed him, I thought he would eventually oust Howard. Which could still come to pass if Howard goes in the summer. If so, I hope we go back in for Nyland and we have two good young goalkeepers for years to come.

I take it you didn't hear Martinez's press conference. Howard WILL walk straight back in the team.

Now I'm reading that as soon as Howard is fit Robles gets dropped. It might be more appropriate to wait and see what actually happens before piling in to give Martinez another kicking.

Surprised by how many people let one soundbite in one press conference define the manager. The club are asked questions and have to answer them. Every time a player says "We have to do better" there's a chorus of Shut Up and Play on TW. Conversely if they don't speak to the media they get accused of either shirking or being miserable twats.

Along with everyone else who said Roberto had bought a dud, I'd be disappointed if Howard walked back into the team with Robles on this form. But let's wait til it actually happens.

Aaahhh shit....I suppose we will will actually have to wait until we lose the next game then, eh?

Don't worry though, I've got my laptop fully charged for the Chelsea debacle!!

There is no way Howard would have saved some of them shots that Robles saved. His height is a major advantage.

The manager debate must never been seen in shades of grey, with nuance or subtlety!

Not in Europe, Kev... but, after his World Cup PR frenzy, he could have had his pick of a team in the MLS, earned more, and had a much better chance of silverware. He was a national hero for a minute, remember. Even Obama phoned him up.

"Whenever Tim is fit, he is our number one, with the experience he has and what he represents in the squad," the manager said.

"I have total faith in him and it is great to see him fit and training again and having a massive influence in our squad.

"The goalkeeping position is different to any outfield one – I do feel the outfield positions are more about moments of form, ways of playing against the opposition, different ways of approaching games.

"But in goal, I think you need a bit of stability.

"Joel has been really good – I have been so pleased with his last two performances.

"I think the clean sheets against Crystal Palace and Liverpool have shown the size of the goalkeeper we have.

"He is still a young man in terms of amount of games, but he is someone with a real good future. I have been so proud of his performances."

Of course we will have to wait and see what the line-up is... but there is enough there, surely, to justify comment.

A blind man and his donkey could see Howard was struggling for form. Robles, after a shakey start, has begun to show excellent form and commands his box far more than Howard ever will.

As others have said, the message from RM is clear: no matter how badly some players are playing (Howard, Barry), they will keep their place.

So much for competition for places.

There may well be enough to warrant debate but by post 3 we had our first 'Martinez out' comment.

If he drops Robles he'll be making a mistake. But at the moment it's only an if isn't it?

Aye, a massive "oh fuck" influence.

"...no Howard haters on this site... only Evertonians who admire and respect him... "

I could rattle off the names of at least a dozen TWers who believe, and have always believed, that Howard is shite... and have never been shy about expressing the thought, even last season when most thought he was at his very best. I've had pretty heated debates with most of them.

It's true there was a large section of our fanbase saying Robles should not ever play and there is also a large section saying it will be a disgrace if Martinez now drops him... but what possess people to get all outraged and claim the two sections are made up of the same people?

Martinez has thousands of critics and he has given cause for them to criticise just about every aspect of his management. I can accept that a few people have changed their minds about Robles, but the suggestion that Martinez only ever get panned by the same group of people is laughable.

Would it not be more logical to suggest the main critics of Martinez's statement are those who were screaming for Howard to be axed long before his injury?

Please can we discuss the topic and offer our opinions without interjecting these gratuitous labels and sweeping generalizations that contribute nothing. Thanks, lads.

The crime was committed when Martinez very publicly told his young keeper that despite showing tremendous balls to turn things around personally and despite playing his part in a massive improvement. He was still number two to the ageing clanger merchant who was responsible for many of the goals we conceded in the early part of the season

I'm not sure what shocks me the most, the fact that an Everton Manager could make such a crass statement, or the fact that we have fans trying to defend it

Robles has been one of the few shining lights this winter. What Roberto Martinez has done now is set Howard up for a fall. It's bound to happen tomorrow night. It's the Everton way: drop your in-form player for one of the old guard and wreck the chance of winning the game... Makes me sick.

How to destroy a young goalie – lesson Number One? Cheers, Roberto.

If he drops Robles, I despair.
Shocking man-management, shocking team selection. Howard has been a liability this season, while Robles deserves plenty of credit and a good run in the team for overcoming his nerves and starting to look like a decent keeper. Some reward....

It would be another poor decision in a season full of Martinez clangers. And perhaps another nail in his coffin?

So I don't understand why anyone would say it was fickle to criticise Martinez on Howard's reinstatement... It's a bad call! The poll on this site and the Echo confirms the consensus of blues agrees with this.

Tony #104 Your post made me laugh. It's not just me that's noticed those comical star jumps then.

This smells of a manager who has lost the confidence and respect of his players and want out before the ship sinks. If Garbutt is allowed to go on a free next season It will be unforgivable! We will regret it massively.

Howard is a strong dressing room influence which is why he will walk straight back into the team. He really shouldn't on ability though as he is utterly woeful.

By the way, and with apologies to those who think we're already safe, we could do with Hull and QPR being pegged back tonight.

It's a kind of seniority thing, and I guess part of the loyalty players expect from managers, particularly at clubs with smaller clubs where the expectation to play is part of the deal when negotiating contracts. Nobody complained about McCarthy walking straight back into the side did they? If Martinez had said he had to play his way back in there would have been an uproar on her and rightly so.

Robles has done well, and I'm glad because in the past he's looked shaky. If Martinez had left out a fit Howard he'd have had even more trouble in the dressing room than he is currently. So he's come out and said Howard's the No.1 keeper. This type of thing has happened before and it always frustrates us. I'd like to see Robles keep his place until he loses it, but I can see why Martinez feels he needs to show loyalty to his players.

Actually, the last time I checked the stats show Howard has a better ger game average of finding teammates and his distribution is actually farther up the field (70% accuracy in distribution vs 50% and 44 m versus 37m. He catches more balls rather than punching them into danger unlike Robles. Howard doesn't spill the ball very often so his defenders know if his hands get to it and he is catching it he will keep it.

You don't need a footballer in goal you need a keeper. BTW Howard started playing soccer as a very young child. He was a GK and a midfielder, played youth club and also high school in a State where large immigrant populations made soccer the primary sport and the development of the kids was above that of almost anywhere else in the USA (just look at the number of USA national players team players from NJ over the last 30 years). He played for one of our lower developmental leagues as a teenager not yet out of high school.
Also, last season Howard was better than Cech, Lloris and De Gea in distribution accuracy, goals conceeded, saves, catches, saves per goal, and clean sheets so wow he must really suck.

Given the number of successful American keepers before him and now with Guzan, perhaps you should do a little research into what makes a good gk other than being 6'5" and relatively immobile but wow he sure can dribble it with his feet!

Actually, the last time I checked the stats show Howard has a better ger game average of finding teammates and his distribution is actually farther up the field (70% accuracy in distribution vs 50% and 44 m versus 37m. He catches more balls rather than punching them into danger unlike Robles. Howard doesn't spill the ball very often so his defenders know if his hands get to it and he is catching it he will keep it.

You don't need a footballer in goal you need a keeper. BTW Howard started playing soccer as a very young child. He was a GK and a midfielder, played youth club and also high school in a State where large immigrant populations made soccer the primary sport and the development of the kids was above that of almost anywhere else in the USA (just look at the number of USA national players team players from NJ over the last 30 years). He played for one of our lower developmental leagues as a teenager not yet out of high school.
Also, last season Howard was better than Cech, Lloris and De Gea in distribution accuracy, goals conceeded, saves, catches, saves per goal, and clean sheets so wow he must really suck.

Given the number of successful American keepers before him and now with Guzan, perhaps you should do a little research into what makes a good gk other than being 6'5" and relatively immobile but wow he sure can dribble it with his feet!