Considering we've missed our last 3 penalties, should we receive a penalty against Plymouth next weekend, who should be the taker?
Gone with Enzo, purely because the lad hasn’t really been here that long to let any sort of ‘hoodoo’ bear over him. Yes he was involved last night but I don’t even think that would bother him if I’m honest.
This is how we used to do it mate. Not too sure anymore. I am a bit of a penalty nerd. I like the only part of football that comes down to a 1v1 situation. There is something pure about it. I tend to think the balance has shifted toward the taker with recent rule changes. But then again keepers now get so much data about where the taker generally puts it, or signals given in the run up. This certainly favours the keeper. I tend to think the overall quality of penalty taking has fallen over the years. Maybe they just dont practice enough. I used to love taking them and enjoyed coaching them too. I think there are 2 fundamental things for a good penalty - clear mind and a good technique. I used to tell young players it is like making a 12 yard pass to a teammate. Only the teammate is the side of the net. Along the ground, into the side of the net, is a keepers worst spot to reach. If that is the play then repetition in practice is all you need. Just keep passing it in. Dont blast it, dont change a routine, just play a simple pass. You will be at 90% success rate if you do that well imo. And 90% is around the current premier league success rate. Of all our current players I think the best option should be Jobe. He plays passes with accuracy and pace. And he looks a real calm lad in big moments. My bet though is Isidor takes the next. I think this group of players are stubborn and will be determined to prove some folk wrong
On reflection I'd stick with Isidor, the second pen was good but unfortunately the keeper won the psychological battle and read it. That won't always happen, you don't come across expert trolls like that guy every week. He's still a good finisher and has got the stones for it just had a bad day. Beyond him I'm struggling, nowt to go on really. I picture Jobe skying it and Neil putting it wide but it's not based on anything much. Le Fee probably decent but again who knows.
If Isidor is confident to step up again he should take it the second penalty was much better than the first and any other game where he hadn’t already missed the keeper would be getting serious credit
Whoever, don't strike them low. If the gk guesses correct a low shot is easier to save. Give it some height.
Cirkin just on the basis I was around in the 90’s when we missed about 10 in a row and it took our left back to step up and end the hoodoo.
As we saw last night, penalties involve some headology and ****-housery. To me this just screams out Luke O'Nien. That said, I'm not over keen about having a single penalty taker as it makes the keeper's job a bit easier as they can study what the taker tends to do and see if he has any indications flagging which way he will shoot. I would drill 3-4 penalty takers then I'd have them all stand on the dee, until the keeper stops messing about they should feign arguing over who takes it, but really are ready to go and have them 'choose' at the last minute. I'd also drill the fastest of the team to be chasers at the edge of the box, running in to try and hit any save rebound. Mind, it might be a good idea once in a while to play the penalty in an indirect manner, with the ball rolled gently forwards and one of our chasers actually taking the shot.
