4/5 penalties missed this season, hit the woodwork 17 times - wasteful seems to be the theme this season. Also on the subject: Kuyt, him who has only missed one pen in 5 years! I didn't even think about Dirk as I was too preoccupied with Suarez, but thinking about it, it's absolutely LUDICROUS that he didn't take the peno vs Wigan, surely?
Dirk has only had to take 7 pens up to April this year, but credit to him, he'd nailed each and every one of 'em. I think that, without Gerrard available, perhaps Kuyt should be more insistent on duties, if he's on the pitch. Suarez is also a possible taker, and for an outside possible, what about Dan Agger, and his left foot cannon?
Also by the looks of it his confidence is down due to not playing as much as he'd probably want. You can bet your life if he took it and missed everyone would be saying 'why didn't Adam take it?' Hindsight's a wonderful thing!
Yeah. Tough time for Diggler. His strength is his engine, his ability to run the ninety. He doesn't have the skills to be an impact player imo and I think his game is suffering because as a sub he's not making enough of a difference. It could be his last season for us at this rate. He's getting on, but I still think he can do a job for a few years yet in a team that wants his type of player, and it might be better for him than fidgetting on our bench. If he does leave he'd go with my thanks. Great professional.
Good to see you back James! On the topic of penalties - I think we should stick to those who have the best record which at the moment is Kuyt, haven only missed 1 penalty during his career. If he is on the pitch, then why should anyone else take them? Kuyt > Adam > Suarez Should be the order of pens, and obviously if Gerrard is fit stick him in front of Adam.
what about Hendo or Shelvey as well? Theyre both good with set pieces and the others arent having muchluck
The great enigma that is the penalty miss... Its only a good one if it goes in...!!! We have had a good record at taking pens in the past but i think the players are scared of missing than just getting up and doing the job of scoring... Some of the best pen takers never looked like missing... And we have had a few... Phil Neal, Jan Molby to name just two... Elsewhere when did you ever think Le Tiss, Van Nist, Shearer even Unsworth look like missing... I look at most pen takers nowadays and i dont like the way they line up, or the body language of them before they run up... Dont know why but there seems to be more missed recently than in the previous years. Although ive not got any facts to back that up it just seems that way to me...
Somebody needs to practice penalties more. If you've noticed, our boys are not consistent in where they put the ball...sometimes left, sometimes right, sometimes down the middle. Van Nistelrooy uses to take all United's penalties and put them more or less in the same side. He'd actually get them to hit the side part of the net attached to the post, so even if the keeper guessed the right way, he'd have little chance. This is the sort of technique we should be practising, not just picking our spot as and when.
We need an order and we need to stick to it. Irregardless of whether that person has missed penalties in the past, he should be on the spot to take it. That way, when a penalty kick is given, he is well aware that he is taking it, and is well aware where he is going to put the ball. For me the order should be: Gerrard - Kuyt- Adam- Suarez
