Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Martinez denies MLS approach for Howard


A report by ESPN last week suggested that the MLS side could take advantage of the fact that they hold the No. 1 spot in that league's allocation ranking, giving them first priority to acquire any player on their allocation list by moving for the the American international goalkeeper.
Speculation ignited on social media on the back of that report on Saturday evening when U21s goalkeeper Russell Griffiths mentioned on his Instagram account that he was to be included in the matchday squad of 21 for yesterday's Premier League game with Swansea City. (The inference being that one of Howard and Joel Robles would not be on the team sheet but it turned out that Griffiths was the third-choice 'keeper in the 21.)
Talk grew louder when Howard apparently began following the Rapids on his own Instagram account before later locking access to it to accepted followers only.
“No at the moment there is nothing,” Martinez told the Liverpool Echo after the defeat to Swansea in which Howard conceded his fifth penalty in a little over two years with a clumsy attempted clearance that took out Andre Ayew instead of the ball. “There is nothing to comment on.”
Howard was insistent when he signed a new four-year contract at Goodison in 2014 that he had closed the door on ever playing in MLS by committing his future to Everton.
Poor form over the past two seasons, public scrutiny of his performances in the media and a deteriorating relationship with a section of the Blues' matchday support has led to rumours that the 36-year-old could move back to the States to finish his career after all.
Reader Comments (28)
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2 Posted 25/01/2016 at 21:52:39
3 Posted 25/01/2016 at 22:02:54
4 Posted 25/01/2016 at 22:05:06
And it would leave us with only Joel and no goalkeeper signing seemingly on the horizon.
5 Posted 25/01/2016 at 22:25:10
6 Posted 25/01/2016 at 22:30:12
7 Posted 25/01/2016 at 22:46:17
I have no other option than to follow Everton the bastardized way on TV. But even on television you can see it... I have never, ever, in my short (is a year shy of a decade "short"?) time following Everton seen the Gwlady's street end get on someone like they have Howard. You can hear it on the television the mock cheers when he catches a simple ball out of the air off his line, the groans and disapproval when he stays rooted on his line, and the abuse he receives lately when he makes a mistake.
You can debate all you want if he should be treated with contempt but one thing's for sure his time is 100% up. When the fans make up their minds?...
Hell, even being MotM against City and playing a stellar game like that can't reverse the sentiment.
He needs to move on. This summer at the latest. Back home to the US with the Rapids works well enough...
8 Posted 26/01/2016 at 00:09:44
Unfortunately, Howard is going to be remembered in the short term as a bit of a dodgy keeper with to much to say and in a way, its a sad state of affairs.
He only has himself to blame too in my opinion. His form since the World Cup has become very disappointing, with error after error. To some degree, that could be forgotton, or blamed on Martinez for not dropping him, but what is leaving the bad taste is his big mouth and terrible attitude towards the fans.
This is why he has become disliked, he has simply become to big for his boots, and his arrogance is offensive .
Hurry up and leave Tim while there is still some good memories.
Take Bobby too!
9 Posted 26/01/2016 at 00:11:33
10 Posted 26/01/2016 at 02:05:48
11 Posted 26/01/2016 at 02:06:34
12 Posted 26/01/2016 at 02:24:42
13 Posted 26/01/2016 at 02:27:13
http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_29431108/zac-macmath-rapids-new-starting-goalkeeper-hopes-help
$130k is about a fortnight's wages for Howard, I'd have thought.
14 Posted 26/01/2016 at 02:47:53
15 Posted 26/01/2016 at 03:18:32
16 Posted 26/01/2016 at 07:36:23
His abilities now are well suited to MLS, which is basically five-a-side on full sized pitches. No physical contact for the goalkeepers, and lots of one-on-one shot stopping. Perfect.
17 Posted 26/01/2016 at 09:37:00
18 Posted 26/01/2016 at 11:33:10
19 Posted 26/01/2016 at 12:00:35
Just like the film The Creed, it's just keeping the badge and getting the name of Everton FC noticed out there until we get bought. It's all about trying to sell this club.
20 Posted 26/01/2016 at 12:28:21
21 Posted 26/01/2016 at 12:55:32
This.
It's not Roberto's money and every manager has his hits and misses with signings. But Tim didn't get 4 years at age 34 without Roberto having some input.
Tim's main strength was his terrific athleticism AND Moyes building a formidable defense in front of him. These, combined, mitigated his weaknesses in and around the box. Both those things are gone now and have been.
Competition for the starting position should have happened in pre-season. But, Roberto was stuck due to OKing the 4-year deal. He'd have to explain to the owners why his 4-year deal man (with a pay rise, to boot) was sitting and watching the game with the rest of us so soon into his new contract.
So, the team, us, and yes, Tim too are left to hang out to dry because nothing can ever be our manager's fault. He won't take the responsibility for this mess, either.
I always liked Howard. Back when you couldn't get Everton on TV unless they were playing Man Utd or Arsenal, I always checked Everton's box-scores to see if we'd gotten a clean-sheet. When he was installed as our 1st 11 keeper prior to the 2006 World Cup, he was always a model spokesman and genuine team leader for the National Side. 2010 and 2014, too. And it was him personally who raised Everton's profile in the States. Anyone following our Men's Team knew who Everton was because of Tim.
It's all too bad. He's had to go for a while now and no doubt of it. But it's on Roberto for not doing anything about it.
22 Posted 26/01/2016 at 13:09:05
23 Posted 26/01/2016 at 15:04:07
If the Board determines that a 34-year-old, indisputably declining goalkeeper is worthy of a 4-year extension, then shame on them, yet again.
24 Posted 26/01/2016 at 15:42:19
Martinez and the Board have again managed things with their customary incompetence. Howard has been a brilliant keeper for us but it looks like his time is now up. However he won't go without some serious compensation.
Yet another Martinez cock-up and until he's gone we'll have to put up with many more. He'll not be going anywhere either though, he'll not get another job in top flight football.
I'd keep Howard every day of the week provided Martinez was shown the door first.
25 Posted 26/01/2016 at 18:01:56
1) The approach to sign Howard would come from MLS not Colorado as all the contracts are owned by MLS;
2) Colorado just traded their goalkeeper last week to Toronto.
Here's wishing this comes true...
26 Posted 26/01/2016 at 23:15:07
27 Posted 27/01/2016 at 09:38:47
28 Posted 27/01/2016 at 18:37:39
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1 Posted 25/01/2016 at 21:47:19