Howard: Everton are a top-four threat
Tim Howard believes that Everton are ready to prove they are serious contenders for Champions League qualification.
Howard helped the club 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.
“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.”
Howard is also more than happy for Everton to continue having a hectic fixture schedule – not least because it means fewer training sessions.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
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