Source: Team_Talk
Howard: Toffees saved my career
USA goalkeeper Tim Howard admits Everton revived his career after struggling under the pressure at Manchester United. [LNB] The United States shot-stopper, who will face England in Saturday's World Cup opener in South Africa, joined United in 2003 from New York/New Jersey Metro-Stars. [LNB]The 31-year-old enjoyed a successful stint at Old Trafford until late in the 2004 season when he began to make mistakes, which he knows were not tolerated at the club. [LNB]Howard spent a year on loan with the Toffees before transferring permanently to Goodison Park in 2007, and the American believes that move got him where he is today. [LNB]"Going to Everton got me on track, it was my new lease of life," Howard admitted.[LNB]"Joining Everton was the starting point and the finishing line was in 2010, and I needed to win that race. So, in my head, I had it mapped. In 2006, I was 27. In 2010, I'd be 31, and from what I hear, that's when a goalkeeper is just coming into his prime. [LNB]"At Manchester United, it was, 'Be really careful not to make a mistake because you'll be out of the line-up.' At Everton, they weren't going to give you a pat on the back if you make a mistake, but were going to give the opportunity to correct it. [LNB]"My conviction in goal, my belief in what I was doing became a lot stronger." [LNB]Howard insists he always believed he would be standing between the posts in South Africa this summer. [LNB]"Part of this World Cup experience is the realisation of a life-long dream, part of it is expectation," he said. [LNB]"Without sounding arrogant, this is where I expected to be at this point. If I wasn't here, I'd deem it a failure."
