Oliver Kay – Martinez should stick with Robles
Chief Football Correspondent for The Times, Oliver Kay, said Joel Robles should be picked over a declining Tim Howard.
The veteran ‘keeper is set to be fit for Everton’s game against West Bromwich Albion this weekend, but with his loss of form and Joel Robles keeping three consecutive clean sheets when deputising for the American, Kay thinks the former Manchester United star shouldn’t return to the starting line-up:
I would suggest sticking with Robles.
I think Tim Howard has been an excellent keeper, and he’s a very good guy, but he has had a difficult season and he seems to be in the inexorable grip of decline.
Along with Howard, John Stones is believed to be ready for Saturday’s clash with the Baggies, but with the impressive central defensive pairing of Ramiro Funes Mori and Phil Jagielka, many Evertonians think the former Barnsley youngster should bide his time on the bench.
But Kay doesn’t think it’s that straightforward a decision:
Stones is a harder one to call.
If Martinez sees Funes Mori and Stones as the future, then maybe that’s the direction to go in, but it would be harsh on Jagielka.
I’m impressed by Funes Mori.”
Everton finally achieved back-to-back Premier League wins last weekend when they beat Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, and Roberto Martinez’s men will be looking to make it three league victories on the spin when struggling West Brom visit Merseyside.