Having witnessed numerous replays of two Champs League penalties on TV -- one for Liverpool, one for Arsenal -- I noticed two distinctly different approaches to their taking.

To begin with Arsenal, Henry took his penalty, i.e. began his run and kicked the ball, without taking his eyes off the ball on the spot until _after_ kicking the ball. He had no idea or a vague idea of what the goalkeeper was doing before he actually kicked the ball. The goalkeeper read or guessed Henry correctly and made a good save.

On the other hand, Jari Litmanen of Liverpool took his penalty rather differently. Litmanen began his run, slowed down a bit before reaching the spot and, for a fraction of a second, raised his head and glanced at the goalkeeper to see what he was doing before actually kicking the ball. Litmanen sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and scored. Litmanen nearly always sends the goalkeeper the wrong way (and believe me I have witnessed quite a few of his penalties over the years), so I presume he makes his decision on where to put the ball only _after_ he sees where the goalkeeper seems to be going. Cunning and effective.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

Answers

Alan's Penalties?

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

I believe I read somewhere that AS decides beforehand which side he is going to place the ball, and then just whacks it.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

I'm sure each player has their own ideas on what works for them. The most common advice I've heard from players or coaches is to decide where you're going to put the ball before stepping up and don't change your mind. Still seems like there's a certain element of luck involved, though probably more for the keeper trying to save it.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

Well he (Shearer) certainly din't blast that one against Ipswich - he blew it, big time!

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

I don't think I've ever seen a better penalty taker than Ray Stewart (West Ham). I think he ended up at 66 out of 67 in his career. He used the power technique, and almost always in the same place, high to the keeper's right. Everyone knew what he was going to do, but no-one could stop him.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

Didn't Matt Le Tissier only have one pen saved in his career?

I haven't thought this through properly but I can't see why we can't rotate our penalty takers: Solano, Robert and Shearer can all take pens, just like they can all take free kicks. Why not use them?

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

I think it's a seniority thing. Remember Shearer's bagfull against Sheff Wed and Paul Robinson asked to take a pen when he was on 3 or 4 goals? Reports suggested someone firmly told him the score about who takes wor pens.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

I remember Ray Stewart being a great penalty taker but did he really get that many? Seems an extraordinary record - just taking that many is an achievement in itself. LeTissier did only miss one, Mark Crossley (who is a fantastic penalty saver) was the man who spoiled the perfect record.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

According to KK, Shearer made taking pens one his requirements when he joined us. Nothing wrong with that - he has a great conversion rate. On the other hand, the shock most opposition goalies would feel if Shearer was on the pitch and DIDN'T take a pen would be worth the admission money alone. I mean, Dyer has scored with pretty much the only penalty he has ever taken for us, so there are others who can do that job. Spread the burden around a bit, like.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

Cunning and effective but torture. I'd prefer players who decide beforehand and then blasts it home. Accurate and powerful shot will do it every time. Atleast if we are talking NUFC's penalties. Yeah, it's great to see those spine chilling attempts when you don't have to worry. Like that Czech player who just chipped the ball in in a tournament final... or that incident when that Manchester City's famous penalty taker - the one who took enormously long runs to take penalties - was once only walking away from the spot while one of his teammate took the penalty behind his back, and missed.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

Jussi -- a walking encyclopedia of football curiosities and Slavonic fatalism. We should go out for those drinks mate. Miss you like.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002