Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard thinks Everton can finish top-four in the Premier League and qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard believes that Everton are ready to prove they are serious contenders for Champions League qualification.
The U.S. international helped the Toffees qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League as they beat Wolfsburg 2-0 in Germany on Thursday.
Everton have won three and drawn two of their five European games this season, but their Premier League form has been mixed and they lie ninth going into the weekend’s games.
Howard, though, thinks that an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions is evidence that the club are heading in the right direction after a wobbly start to the campaign.
Ahead of Sunday’s league trip to Tottenham, the 35-year-old suggested that Everton are capable of building the momentum they need to improve on last season’s fifth-place finish.
“The league has been a bit topsy-turvy if you look at the results and where teams are,” said Howard. “I just say we are tough match for anyone when we are fit and playing well — it stuttered a bit at the start but when we play well, we will have no problem.
“Last year we finished fifth, and I think we are a stronger team this year — so [we can] certainly [be] in the top four or five teams.
“It doesn’t matter what I think. Our performances have to speak for us — and right now we are not a top four or five team, but we will get there.
“The purpose is top four. We’ll fix our sights on that and see how we go. We are within touching distance if you look where we are in the Premier League.”
Everton are through to the Europa League knockout rounds as Group H winners with one game to spare after pulling off a fine 2-0 away victory over Wolfsburg.
Meanwhile, Everton and West Ham have both been fined 20,000 pounds by the Football Association for failing to control their players during last Saturday’s Premier League match at Goodison Park.
Both teams were charged by the FA over an altercation involving several players in the 40th minute of Everton’s 2-1 win.
The incident began when a strong challenge by Everton’s James McCarthy on West Ham’s Morgan Amalfitano prompted an angry reaction from a number of visiting players.
Midfielder McCarthy and West Ham defender Winston Reid were both booked for their parts in the altercation.
Weekend fixtures
Saturday
West Brom vs. Arsenal
Burnley vs. Aston Villa
Liverpool vs. Stoke
Man Utd vs. Hull
QPR vs. Leicester
Swansea vs. Crystal Palace
West Ham vs. Newcastle
Sunderland vs. Chelsea
Sunday
Southampton vs. Man City
Tottenham vs. Everton
Howard went on to say he is more than happy for Everton to continue having a hectic fixture schedule – not least because it means fewer training sessions.
The Toffees are having to cope with the demands of a Europa League campaign on top of their domestic games this season. Certainly, they seem to be handling the task well.
Howard has no doubt playing midweek in Europe is a good thing in that it helps generate momentum rather than hinder it.
“As players we train so often, and I think the beauty of it when you are playing in Europe is that there is no time to train.
“You play a game at the weekend, you recover, you prepare, travel, play, and then do it all again.
“It is nice because you just want to get out there and play. I think it is much better than training.
“For me, to play three times in a week is brilliant because there is just not a lot of time spent on the training ground.
“And when you have nights like we did on Thursday, you would certainly much rather be playing.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez explains he admires Tottenham and expects a tough test White Hart Lane.
Everton have developed a considerable injury list this season, but Howard has confidence in the squad boss Roberto Martinez has assembled and has stressed that a top-four finish in the league is the club’s aim.
“With the win against Wolfsburg, hopefully that will now continue against Tottenham.
“These are long weeks, but when you win it makes the injuries feel a little bit better and the tired legs feel a little bit more energised.
“The manager has built a squad that can cope. We’ve had key players who have gotten injured, but then they have gone on the treatment table and we’ve got others back.
“But fingers crossed the injuries go away because we’ve had enough to last two seasons.”
Asked about making the top four this time around, the Toffees stopper added: “That is the purpose.”