Penalties

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

If penalty taking was foolproof, there was a sure-fire formula that would ensure it resulted in a goal and there was not a margin for error, we wouldn't have penalties in football in their current form.

Which is pretty much what I said near the start of this thread. Of course there is a fool proof way of doing it. Just don't factor In humans or human nature into the equation...

ipso facto a pointless point to make.....

[southofthecounty]

You can however give yourself an edge by adopting the best techniques, and then practice, practice, practice

[Baby Bear]

Just smash it straight at the keepers head, theres not a keeper alive who will stay perfectly still.

[John]

There have been penalty takers throughout my time watching the Cobblers where I always thought "He'll score". Phil Neal is a good example. Then there are others where I've always been nervous of the outcome. Of course a poorly taken kick will often count, especially if the keeper dives the wrong way. We should hope/expect our penalty taker to score the average 4 times out of 5. Richards has missed the last two at home and the two he scored away were nothing special. In my opinion which I think I'm allowed, somebody else should take the next one, if only to relieve the pressure off Richards. Just imagine the reaction should we get one at Shrewsbury to win the game and Richards misses again?

[Ryan Amoo 14]

There have been penalty takers throughout my time watching the Cobblers where I always thought "He'll score". Phil Neal is a good example. Then there are others where I've always been nervous of the outcome. Of course a poorly taken kick will often count, especially if the keeper dives the wrong way. We should hope/expect our penalty taker to score the average 4 times out of 5. Richards has missed the last two at home and the two he scored away were nothing special. In my opinion which I think I'm allowed, somebody else should take the next one, if only to relieve the pressure off Richards. Just imagine the reaction should we get one at Shrewsbury to win the game and Richards misses again?

I know you're a statistics fan Marvo so thought I'd share this with you. 

Your cited paragon of penalty taking excellence has a mere 74.5% conversion rate as a Liverpool player (38 from 51) - unsurprisingly NTFC statistics not readily available.  Unfortunately this leaves him shy of the 4 from 5 you state as an expected return from a decent spot-kick taker, though admittedly at a far higher level. 

[John]

I know you're a statistics fan Marvo so thought I'd share this with you. 

Your cited paragon of penalty taking excellence has a mere 74.5% conversion rate as a Liverpool player (38 from 51) - unsurprisingly NTFC statistics not readily available.  Unfortunately this leaves him shy of the 4 from 5 you state as an expected return from a decent spot-kick taker, though admittedly at a far higher level. 

I never saw him miss one for the Cobblers but then again I don't suppose he often had to beat top flight keepers.

There are plenty of stats out there but it seems to be a consensus of opinion that penalties are scored between 70% and 80% of the time. Richards is falling well below standard.

[southofthecounty]

The manager should choose two players from the regular starting eleven to take penalties. They should practice each day taking kicks against one of our keepers. The player with the highest percentage scored each week is nominated. If either drop below say seventy five percent, they are replaced by another regular starter.
Penalties are such a gilt edged chance to score, they deserve nothing less that full preparation.

I also feel the style of neat interpassing we are playing in the attacking areas, will lead to an increase in the number of kicks awarded to us.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

.......
I also feel the style of neat interpassing we are playing in the attacking areas, will lead to an increase in the number of kicks awarded to us.

As well as Sherlock going down to gusts of wind...

[TbananaG]

I'd bet my last pound that Rico will take and score the next three penalties we are awarded. It was a bloody good save on Saturday and the Morecambe one was a coat of paint away from going in.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

I'd bet my last pound that Rico will take and score the next three penalties we are awarded. It was a bloody good save on Saturday and the Morecambe one was a coat of paint away from going in.

The one on Saturday was a 'good height for the keeper' and the coat of paint was thick considering it rebounded away from the goal? 

[bri77]

Not forgetting how big a step the goalie had taken before the pen was kicked.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Not forgetting how big a step the goalie had taken before the pen was kicked.

Having looked at it, only about a foot, keepers are given that..    if he had been on the edge of the six yard box...

[southofthecounty]

Having looked at it, only about a foot, keepers are given that..    if he had been on the edge of the six yard box...

If the refs had the kick retaken every time there were defenders in the area as the kick is taken, we could be there all day.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

If the refs had the kick retaken every time there were defenders in the area as the kick is taken, we could be there all day.

Exactly, unless it affects the outcome not a problem.

[John]

I'd bet my last pound that Rico will take and score the next three penalties we are awarded. It was a bloody good save on Saturday and the Morecambe one was a coat of paint away from going in.

 and it was a weak effort at Accrington that the keeper SHOULD have saved whilst the one at Mansfield was straight down the middle. All four could have missed, all four could have gone in, it's all if's and buts and it's all opinions. For me, I'd rather see someone else take them and like I said, imagine he takes and misses the next one and it costs us, how does he and we recover from that?

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

imagine he takes and misses the next one and it costs us, how does he and we recover from that?

By maintaining a healthy sense of perspective and proportion.

[guest1269]

Bayo's penalties (and indeed many of his open play goals) made me nervous - they seemed to sort of slide slow motion off the top of his boot - but to his credit and his goal scoring record he knew exactly where he was putting the ball.

[southofthecounty]

Anyone who travelled to Bury knows there are worse penalty takers in the squad.

[cobbler_rob]

If I was manager I would have penalties takers alternate between the team depending on whoever is confident enough. The keeper wouldn't have a clue what to expect.

[guest49]

Rico's pen on Saturday was a lot better than Messi's tonight. As for the woeful diving header...
I bet takes the next one.