Kuyt

[Rudo]

I would. Just what would be the sense in it?

[Rich]

He missed one against Blackburn didn't he?

Although that helped unseat the Hodge

[RedReet]

I would. Just what would be the sense in it?

Because Gerrard is our designated penalty taker so it’s no major issue if he continues taking them. It’s certainly not disgraceful if he does.

[RichC]

As long as whoever takes it tucks it away does it really matter?

Stevie has been first choice for a number of seasons with Dirk filling in, both seem happy with this situation so no real need to change it.

[Rich]

I think there's no justification for Gerrard to be first choice when you see Kuyt's stats.

I wonder if its been noted at the club and Gerrard informed that Kuyt's a better penalty taker?

[RedReet]

What would be interesting is if Gerrard missed his next penalty if he’d then hand over the reigns to Dirk.

Typically I’ll probably have scudded Dirk and he’ll probably miss his next one.

[Craig_H]

Kuyt's only taken 8 though, hasnt he?

[Rich]

Kuyt's only taken 8 though, hasnt he?

8 is a decent number, and its difficult to argue against 100% - I wonder whether he took pens in Holland?

[Chris]

We've got two brilliant penalty takers, dont mind who takes em. "A disgrace" if Gerrard takes one ahead of Kuyt next time? Get a ****ing grip.

[RedReet]

8 is a decent number, and its difficult to argue against 100% - I wonder whether he took pens in Holland?

I’m sure he’s hit plenty in training too. Maybe the reason why Reina is now so **** at saving them.


It’s not even the number though, it’s the technique and the execution. I can’t remember seeing one that you thought the keeper might have had a chance. For me, they are also easier to watch as I fully expect him to score whereas with Gerrard I get nervous expecting him to miss.

[Exiled_red]

I think i read recently that Gerrard is 23/30 on penos. But most of those 7 misses have been earlier in his career, though he missed at West Ham (last season, i think?) before netting the rebound. That was his last miss from the spot, i think.

Gerrard has scored 24/31 for us, with most misses as you say coming a few years ago, but he has missed 2 of his last 8

Kuyt's only taken 8 though, hasnt he?

8 is a decent number, and its difficult to argue against 100% - I wonder whether he took pens in Holland?

I think it becomes harder in this day and age the more penalties you take the more info opposition keepers have on where you are likely to put them (from videos). I think you could perhaps argue that this works in favour of Kuyt (as he's taken less) compared to Gerrard. This being the case perhaps there is some benefit in rotating our penalty taker (amongst the couple of good takers that we have) hence making it more difficult for the opposition to work out what you are likely to do.

[Lee]

I think it becomes harder in this day and age the more penalties you take the more info opposition keepers have on where you are likely to put them (from videos). I think you could perhaps argue that this works in favour of Kuyt (as he's taken less) compared to Gerrard. This being the case perhaps there is some benefit in rotating our penalty taker (amongst the couple of good takers that we have) hence making it more difficult for the opposition to work out what you are likely to do.

Good point.

IIRC, didn't Rafa used to announce our pelanty taker just before each match? I'm sure we used to rotate between Alonso and Gerrard between about 05-07?! And then Gerrard seemed to take over full time shortly after with Dirk deputising.

[Exiled_red]

Good point.

IIRC, didn't Rafa used to announce our pelanty taker just before each match? I'm sure we used to rotate between Alonso and Gerrard between about 05-07?! And then Gerrard seemed to take over full time shortly after with Dirk deputising.

I think he did something like that, but the majority of the time it was Gerrard, if you look at this period (links below) it was Gerrard, Cisse or Fowler. Alonso only seemed to take the odd one the first of which I believe was in Istanbul. This does co-incide with a period where Gerrard was missing a few, so perhaps that was the reason?

scored pens: http://www.lfchistory.net/Stats/PlayerPenalties.aspx

missed pens: http://www.lfchistory.net/Stats/Play...iesMissed.aspx

[Angryred]

& What was Xabi's stats on penos for us then?

[Rich]

& What was Xabi's stats on penos for us then?

Well he missed his most important one for us!