IMO, JWP's set piece is delivery is quite good, IMO. I think it's the expectations that are kind of over-hyped. That he's going to put every single one exactly on to someone's foot/head and we should score like 50% of the time or something. A lot of well-delivered kicks still come to nothing, and a good set piece takers will still deliver a lot of bad balls. JWP is a very good setpiece taker, he's not like, taking set pieces to the next level and redefining free kick deliveries or anything. His crossing and passing that have been a little disappointing. As well as his continuing to be a big of a defensive liability. I still think those things will be cured with playing time, but if we are talking about who should start right now it's hard to put him over Davis in that role, if we even still continue to have that role. PK's are a completely different matter. If you have excellent technique, as JWP does you SHOULD be good at PK's but it doesn't seem to always work out that way. You have to have a scoring mentality/confidence as well, which is something that I think JWP still lacks a bit. Tadic has taken two not-great PK's. I don't think that's enough reason to change just yet. But I assume that this will be something the coaching team drills and looks at during every off-season and it wouldn't surprise me if we make a change then.
Ron says Tadic has a good record as a penalty taker and you don't replace someone just because they miss one.
He had both power and accuracy and, despite the fact that he could drill a hole through the goalkeeper if he wanted, he tended to place the ball in the corner. I know the theory of straight down the middle penalties, but not a fan myself. However, never a good idea for the penalty taker to have doubts...best to go with what he knows.
One thing that Tadic does is use tremendous disguise in his penalty taking. He really doesn't look as though he's going to stroke it down the middle. If he put it a little higher the diving keeper wouldn't have a hope in hell. And besides, I can't remember when I saw a keeper stand still in the middle to catch the ball, so the odds are that Tadic is going to score.
Why? He struck it well and in the corner; it was a good save. My main point though was to those saying Sunday was a 'bad' penalty..... Which would they prefer. The bad one that scored or the good/better one that was saved.
Your certainly right about him having a tremendous disguise in his penalty taking as I'm convinced he's going to miss every time he steps up to take it?
I think we have been spoilt by penalty takers, but surely it's a bit early to judge Tadic. Missing 50% of penalties may be important after 10 penalties, but bit hard to judge after only two. Ron thinks he's our best choice and he must have seen the others take penalties. And remember, not every player has the temperament for penalties, whereas Tadic says he'd rather take them than watch them. We don't have Tiss and Rickie...we just have to live with it...and remember we've hardly had any penalties awarded this season. Tadic is said not to inspire confidence...is this the same as the lack of confidence in Forster despite our best defence in the league and equal top number of clean sheets.
Interesting discussion about JWP, I've thought for some time, as someone said previously that he really needs to step up to the next level if he;s going to be a regular in the team? I'm reluctant to critisise him as he's a youngster trying to establish himself but I'm not sure what he adds to the team over someone like Steve Davis, but having said that the best part of his game for me is that he can spot a pass and as we all know its often that one telling pass that can take the points
Two important facts: - JWP has more assists per game than any other player in our squad. - He is 20 years old.
JWP at 20.... Lallana at 20? One was just getting some games in the Championship and doing ok, the other has had three years developing in the most physical league in the world.... I do think he needs to step up, but I also believe that he will. He is still developing physically and is going to keep getting better and better. Interesting as well Dell Boy that you mentioned Davis ... Davis will be like a mentor to JWP and having them both is great. Options.
I guess that if he ever gets to take a dozen and had only scored two of them, we might have reason to question his ability? Trouble is we seldom get awarded any, so not even any chance to practice.
I was mainly referring to the very last sentence and it's message....never let the truth get in the way of a good story *50% in the Prem*
Well I agree with you in some respect. IMO, it's a good pen if it goes in. Any pro should be able to cleanly hit a good pen, but beating the keeper is all that matters.
