Penalty Death

I’m given to believe that Styles was allowed to take a penalty last night? Why? Unless you are specialist deadball/penalty taker - a la Neil Redfern/Barnard - then a striker should be taking the penalty, I can’t believe there’s a striker in the country who wouldn’t take a penalty under normal circumstances given the opportunity. What the actual F?

 

Is it that big of a deal really? Had he scored, nobody would have been bothered.

I'm presuming he took it because he won it. Both Norwood and Thomas spoke to him before he put the ball down, so presumably he was allowed to take it because he won it.

Or is it because its Styles? And he seemingly wants to leave. Would as much have been made if Benson had missed it for example?

 

As I have mentioned elsewhere, Duff confirmed last night that Styles was the designated penalty taker, after he had achieved a 100% success rate in practice, putting all his penalties into the top corner.

 

Why should a striker be bound to take a penalty?

It’s not like our strikers are potent goal getters…

I think back over the years I’ve supported the team and other than Woodrow I’m struggling to think of a centre forward who was our regular penalty taker. Redfearn and Barnard you mention. Hourihane took them rather than Winnall as I recall.

It is difficult though as we don’t keep players long enough to consider them a regular penalty taker - and we don’t tend to get that many !!!

Yes he missed it - I’ve seen a lot worse penalties to be fair though - but why does his position dictate he shouldn’t take them?

He has probably shown in training he’s good over a dead ball. They will probably even have practiced penalties at some point and he’s been chosen as the taker after that.

He missed it ok - but that doesn’t make other players necessarily better options regardless of where they play.

 

I don't want to be pedantic, but there was at least two Leeds players in the box before the ball was kicked. I wish refs were as strict with this as they are with offsides.

 

"Let me have it, if l score this Besiktas will come in for me"

 

Strikers should be good penalty takers because they are supposed to be the best at striking the ball, with power and accuracy. As Roy Keane would likely say, 'that's your job'. I don't care if Norwood missed a couple for Tranmere, he should be stepping up to the plate and putting that ball on the spot, particularly as he has been spectacularly underwhelming thus far and has a zero return. I don't blame Styles but he shouldn't have been taking that penalty.

 

The only plus about Norwood is it's only a one year deal. The signing looked strange at the time and nothing has changed.

 

Norwood looks like a bit of a Journeyman looking to pick up a wage somewhere. Disappointed with him.

 

I think we’re writing Norwood off a bit too quickly. From what I’ve seen he’s better at making sure the central defenders know they’re in a game than Cole, Aitchison and Marsh.

He won’t be prolific as a goalscorer and won’t play 90 mins every week but he wasn’t signed for that. He might be a journeyman senior pro but he puts himself about and busies himself - he’s always put a shift in when I’ve watched - that can only encourage the younger lads. He’s also played a lot of league games and has the experience that goes with it. There’s a lot to be said for an older head in and around the club. It isn’t just about what he does on match day.

 

If a striker in any given team isn't a standout striker of the ball, then I would question the potency and value of that striker. I know we have had great non-striker strikers of the ball; besides your examples, I immediately think of Neil Thompson, Jovo Bosancic, Darren Barnard, and Craig Hignett. But for me, a forward player should be able to take a penalty.

 

You're correct with those points in my opinion, and of course we need to give him a chance to settle. But for strikers, goals breed confidence, and a penalty is a great opportunity for strikers to add to their goal tally and their confidence a la Woodrow.

 

The single best penalty I have ever seen was taken by a goalkeeper.

 

I don't have a problem with a midfielder taking a penalty. In my mind, midfielders take penalties. Glavin, Banks, Redfearn, Hignett, Barnard all took penalties. And free kicks and corners. Woodrow taking penalties as forward seems to be the exception. He was bloody good at it like.

I do have a problem with Styles taking them though. In order to do so he must be on the pitch and I don't think he deserves to be. He doesn't look fully committed to me. Not by a long way.

 

Which one?

 

I couldn't possibly post a link as it was for Sheffield Wednesday. But Kevin Pressman in a mid 90s cup game.

 

The Derby game was Norwood's 100th league start. Andersen has started 116 league games for us and he's only 24. Styles has made 119 league starts and he's only 22.

 

Fair do's I bet he put all his weight behind it!

 

I didn't realise that. And people be making out Norwood is some modern-day Clive Mendonca