
Wilson Isidor's double penalty miss at Turf Moor was the third penalty that the Lads have missed this season. But it got me thinking, what have we been like with penalties over time? So, I did a bit of research into the past ten seasons for example to see if this is the case or not and these were the interesting findings as well as some general thoughts on the matter.
Last season saw the Lads awarded a total of six penalties in all competitions which were taken by two players. Five of those six were taken and successfully converted by the now departed Jack Clarke, whilst Adil Aouchiche was also successful from twelve yards at the Cardiff City Stadium when the Lads won 2-0.
Going a bit further back, it appears that we have been pretty proficient from the spot when offered the chance to find the back of the net. There have been a number of seasons where we didn't miss a single spot kick, which makes this season's record that more staggering. Has it therefore suddenly become an Achilles heel that haunts us?
Obviously to some, the natural solution to this is to change the taker. However, Wilson Isidor is our leading scorer and naturally he wants to add to his tally in any way, shape or form. Hence, he probably felt at Burnley that he could convert but as we found out; James Trafford's histrionics made sure that the popular Frenchman failed twice. As much as he wants it, maybe change up the way to give the goalkeeper something different to think about. Do the same thing over and over again, keepers will get wise, and you will miss. Ask Patto, they do their homework all the time.
Whoever takes the next one needs one thing, confidence. If you let people like Trafford get into your head, which I am pretty sure that's what happened with Isidor, then that confidence will evaporate pretty quickly. With a penalty you can become a hero or villain in the blink of an eye, again as we experienced in those dramatic closing stages at Turf Moor.
Suppose Isidor decides that he doesn't want to take penalties anymore, who steps up? Of course, there will a number of suitors looking to assume this responsibility. Patrick Roberts might fancy it again of course, but he he’ll need to be more clinical than he was with his effort at Bramall Lane. If anyone could probably put their laces through a spot kick and hammer it into the net, then you can picture players such as LO9 or Trai Hume doing that. If you want cultured takers then perhaps Le Fée or Bellingham would fall into that category.
Who would want to be a footballer, eh?