STAY STRONG IN THE FIRST PERIOD

Last updated : 19 September 2003 By Editor
Tim Howard talks up Sunday’s game:

"Arsenal are coming into our house and we have to stop them
from taking it. We got ahead of them in the Community Shield
and they will be hungry to avenge that. They also have one
of the most talented strikeforces in the game, so they will
come at us all guns blazing.

"I'm sure people will say it is my biggest test but I will
just try to prepare as normal.

“The manager has told me every time I get the ball I need to
look up and give it to someone quickly. Ole and
Cristiano Ronaldo want it wide, where they are very
dangerous, while if you can get it to either Ruud van
Nistelrooy or Ryan Giggs, you know when they go to work they
can hurt teams as well.

"I have been given a wonderful opportunity but I just want
to try and keep things in perspective. I sometimes have to
remind myself that I am only 24 and I still have a lot to
learn. I am enjoying myself a lot and winning definitely
makes it easier but all I want to do at the moment is try to
work hard and become more consistent. A good performance
followed by a bad one is not good for you.”