Howard: We won’t feel pressure on our back from Arsenal
Tim Howard has insisted that his Everton team-mates will relish being in fourth place in the league as they vie for a Champions League spot and insist that they won’t feel any pressure from Arsenal as they look to pip the blues to the line.
The American is confident that his side will remain focussed and dig in to try and achieve their aim and says that the game at Sunderland reminds them that not every game will come easy.
Howard said: “You don’t mind it being a bit scrappy every now and then because you almost want the confirmation that we’ve got it in us,”
“We know we can play good football but we never want to get away from that Everton fighting spirit, that ability to dig in. Games like this remind us that’s still in us which is important.
“Even at 1-0 down they kept coming because they had a lot to fight for and it was a really tough game.”
“The manager drilled into us that it would be tough, Now we can count them on one hand. We’re going to tick the games off.
“We’re in a good mental state. We’re performing well. We feel fluid and there’s a good energy in the dressing room. We won’t feel pressure on our back from Arsenal.”
“We’re in a good mental state. We’re performing well. We feel fluid and there’s a good energy in the dressing room. We won’t feel pressure on our back from Arsenal.
“Anything can happen. There are so many ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ but if we keep fighting we’ll finish strong so hopefully that can continue.”
Howard believes that boss Roberto Martinez has a hard call when captain Phil Jagielka comes back from injury because he believes that young central defender John Stones has proved an excellent replacement.
Howard said: “Sometimes you learn a lot about people when they’re thrown into the fire. With our captain getting injured and us having to seek a very quick solution it’s sink or swim time. So it says a lot about him and it’s helpful to get a run of games for him.
“It’s hard for the manager. Injuries are tough because before Jags got injured we were playing brilliantly and he was doing brilliantly and you shouldn’t lose your place because of an injury.
“Then Stonesy has been playing so well. We’ll let the manager sort it out.”
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