HE PLAYS IN NETS, TIMMY.....

Last updated : 21 September 2003 By Editor

"We thought he might have taken a few months to get used to English football but he has been sensational.

"He pulled off a save on Tuesday night which was truly outstanding and we could not be more pleased with his progress.

"Tim has similarities with Peter Schmiechel in terms of size, speed and quickness of reflexes. And, like Peter, he seems to have a very good presence."

"Fabien's bound to be disappointed, but when a guy like Tim comes along and performs the way he's done, it's straightforward."

And the man himself in The Independent:

"I grew up idolising Peter (Schmikes). I'm mesmerised by him. He's the greatest keeper of all time, so when I saw him just walking along the street, I was desperate to stop my car right there and then, jump out and go over to talk to him."

Unfortunately for Howard, traffic regulations demanded that he had to drive on. "It was really annoying, but I hope we'll meet soon. I used to study videos of him when I was growing up, so I'd love to talk to him about keeping."

One wonders whether the manager promised the American the No 1 spot when he signed in the summer? "No, no," Howard insisted, "I've been handed the jersey for whatever reason, and now I have to make sure I don't give it back. If I start thinking I'm settled, then I'm in trouble. The standards here are such that if you drop a little, you're out."

Tim thinks that Barthez is fab too:

"Fabien is a gentleman and a professional. He has been good to me - training has gone well and we get on well.

"It's a tough situation. Fabien has done well here - he has won medals, and he has won the World Cup. He thinks he deserves to be in the team, but our relationship has been professional and, hopefully, we will keep it that way.

"When I look at what Fabien has done, I am tremendously in awe of it sometimes."