I'm backing Huth to be put on spot for Potters
IS it time to change Stoke's penalty taker?
Jon Walters has clearly shot his bolt.
Never one to fill fans with total confidence with the ball on the spot and only the keeper to face, Walters has now missed three of his last five from 12 yards.
And it proved oh so costly on Saturday.
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Not only that, but Walters' effort was both in the same corner as he always aims, and hit with about as much force as the gentle breeze.
But who should replace Super Jon now he's, well, not quite so super from the spot?
Of the strikers, quite frankly, I don't fancy Crouch, Jerome or Jones with a dead ball at their feet.
Much as they may be expected to find the net for Stoke from open play, I feel there are better dead-ball strikers who are regular starters.
Matty Etherington has plenty of prior experience of course, but lost the job because of a couple of misses, so is hardly going to be volunteering any time soon.
As we know, confidence is such a big part of taking penalties, so perhaps that gives us a clue as to the identity of the new man charged with 12-yard duties?
Glenn Whelan takes a lot of free-kicks and corners. He is also apparently a bit of a 'daddy' both on the field and in the dressing room. So Glenn won't mind the responsibility and can hit a static ball cleanly.
Often with some form of placement.
In fact that is who I expect TP to turn to, but it's not the man I'd personally choose.
I would be asking the man who would strike the most fear into an opposing goalies' heart when they saw him striding forward confidently to place the ball on the spot.
The man that keepers would instantly think 'Blimey, I don't fancy getting in the way of this!'
Yes, I would have Robert Huth stepping up to the mark.
The Berlin Wall would positively hammer the ball towards the net from the penalty spot, and goalkeepers would do well to keep out of the way.
We've seen how his free-kicks have an unerring way of finding the back of the net, so why not with just thin air between him and goal?
His ice-cool temperament would mean he wouldn't fall prey to nerves.
In fact, Huth has more bottle than Dairy Crest.
And the sooner he starts firing our penalty kicks past opposing goalkeepers the better for Stoke City.;
4 Comments
by Pottedrengen
Monday, February 25 2013, 4:13PM
“You're missing the point as usual. It's not about Whelan's tactical position in the team. It's about his stature at the club. Shawcross may wear the armband, but on the field during our games Whelan is the leader, the one who gives orders and shouts support, and the one who doesn't shirk responsibility. But you will never have noticed this as you can't see that from your position in the "sky."”
by Pottersruleok
Monday, February 25 2013, 3:17PM
“Whelan hasn't put a shot less that 20 ft over the bar or past the post in lord knows how long. I don't think a player's position should dictate whether he takes penalties or not, after all Walters is supposedly and attacking player and has missed 4 of his last 10. AS hard as it is for us to score a gilt edged chance that a penalty offers up should be taken by someone who can put the ball into the back of the net!”
by roob57
Monday, February 25 2013, 3:04PM
“A defender taking penalties!!! sounds about right for Pulis.”
by LiamOSullivan
Monday, February 25 2013, 8:30AM
“It would be a good choice, as would Whelan and Wilson.”