Does anyone else find it strange that Tadic is our preferred penalty taker? I like the guy a lot and respect that he puts himself up to take penalties when many others shy away from that responsibility, but I can't help to think he is an odd choice given his reluctance to shoot during open play? I can remember countless times this season where he hasn't gone to pull the trigger where many people are crying out for him too, particularly in and around the box. Granted that is part of his game and he is unbelievably good at disguising passes between the defence, but Pelle to me seems the obvious choice ? At the start of the season when I was doing my fantasy teams I always consider penalty takers for each teams and I was not sure who it would be for saints. With Pelles belief and drive to do so well I find it odd that he isn't wrestling the ball of tadic to take our penalties ?
Perhaps, but it's only because the guy saved it that we are talking about this. It wasn't a bad penalty, the keeper guessed right and made a good save. If Heaton had dived the other way, we would be saying how good a penalty, and how composed he was.
I think Tadic's seemingly unwillingness to shoot is actually because he can only kick the ball with one foot, so has to have it set just so. Yesterday was just one of those things, although I'd give it to JWP if he's on the pitch. I think if we get a pen next game Pelle or Davis will step up.
He knew which way the ball was going because Tadic broadcast it to the entire stadium. I'd go so far as to say it was a bad pen.
I agree with this. If you're going to give the keeper the eyes, you either have to put it in the other corner or blast it in a Rickie-like unstoppable fashion. Like some others on here I knew as soon as Dušan stepped up that he wouldn't score. It should have been Pellè or JWP.
I find it incredible that some of you are claiming it a bad penalty. It was a good save. The shot was hit well and was in the corner. Maybe it could have been hit harder, but sometimes one has to say well done to the keeper. Chilco, all the talk of giving the keeper the yes is a little fantasy like. Taking a penalty, the player should really pick his spot and stick to it. Tadic did that, but the keeper went the right way and it is easy to say that Tadic telegraphed it; lots of players run up like that and then open the foot up and go the other way. Knowing which way the player is going isn't really as obvious as you make out. I always say a player should score from a penalty, given the odds, but thousands miss and as long as they don't miss with a back pass or it going off-target, it's one of those things. Well played the keeper.
It was a badly taken penalty in my view, however well the goalkeeper did to save it. Tadic didnt look overly confident and like other posters above i wasnt confident in him scoring. Over the years i never had this feeling when the likes of Rickie Lambert, Matt Le Tiss, David Peach, etc were stepping up to take our penalties. Sure it is possible to miss a pen, but i am not confident in Tadic as our regular penalty taker. Hope he proves me wrong, but we win so few penalties that it might be a while before can start to do so !
Koeman said it was a bad penalty (lacking power) but he said it was unusual for Tadic as he always took penalties in Holland...so mustn't judge on one penalty miss. JWP's little skip would certainly surprise the keeper . Can't see Pelle taking pens...I can see him skying it as often as he put it on target.
It was not a poor penalty. It was a good save. Also Tadic had a good penalty record in Holland and he scored the first one he took here so he was the right man to take it.
I'm puzzled that so few penalty takers hit the ball into the top corners. Give it enough, controlled height, and you can afford to be inside the post by a couple of feet, and the keeper won't get anywhere near it, from a static diving position Keep it low to the ground, but not in the extreme corner, and the chance of a penalty being saved, has to be considerably greater, especially if lacking sufficient pace.
We all know where the best penalties are placed, so the fact that many players can't do it suggests it is a rare and special talent. I suppose it involves skill coupled with strength of character...and it is probably the latter that is lacking.
Pity Dusan didn't score it would have done wonders for his morale, he will get another chance, but I am not holding my breath.
Massive Schadenfreude on my behalf, but it is still true in many respects........ Sorry, my bad. See message #3285 on the Premier League Thread to understand what I meant.
