Do Everton need another goalkeeper?

A lot has been made recently over Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, especially after the result against Newcastle United. The American came in for quite extensive criticism from fans on Twitter after conceding two supposedly soft goals to Demba Ba in a game Everton would have felt they had done enough to win.

Criticism did not however stop at the one fixture with some Evertonian’s even making their more long-term displeasure over the former Manchester United goalkeeper’s performances well known. The description that seemed to arise quite often in the argument was ‘over-rated’ and with Jan Mucha the only man of distinction in reserve that perhaps extra quality in the goalkeeping department may keep him on his toes (pun intended) rather more nail-bitingly then his current cushy existence at Goodison.

It all may be slightly harsh on Mucha who does have a respectable career in his rear view mirror, racking up 35 caps for Slovakia and a successful five-year stint at Legia Warsaw. In fact even the man he once acted as backup to whilst at Legia, Lukasz Fabianski, has also recently been linked with adding some strength in depth at the Merseyside club.

Whether you think Tim Howard is being unfairly criticised or has been getting away with murder for far too long there is no doubt that Everton could do with a more competitive situation at the club; just to enhance Howard’s form to the absolute pinnacle.

After Mucha you have to look at the reserves and academy players such as Mason Springthorpe and Mateusz Taudul for the next in reserve and there was reported interest in Jack Butland in the transfer window so it could be an area Everton look to improve in January.

However is there a chance their current third-choice keeper is in fact an England international. Phil Jagielka acted as Sheffield United’s second choice keeper for years as part of a ploy by the manager Neil Warnock to free up space on his bench for an outfield player. In fact he didn’t do badly, perhaps tracing those Polish roots for hereditary goalkeeping ability when saving a late shot from Robin Van Persie back in 2006.

So maybe that’s why Moyes hasn’t brought in another keeper?

What do you think should Everton bring in another goalkeeper? Or would too many cooks spoil the broth?

image: © NathanF

Mathew Nash

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I’m Mathew Nash a 23 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.