Penalties

[Pat McMahon]

I still remember Willie Anderson's at Walsall in 1970. It was as wide as Chris Waddle's was high at Italian 90.

I still remember Willie Anderson's at Walsall in 1970. It was as wide as Chris Waddle's was high at Italian 90.

I remember that as if it was yesterday, Pat. Pretty high as well as wide; I don't think I've seen such a bad penalty miss since. Lost 3-0 IIRC.

You are right BC54VFC, it was 3-0 and my first ever away game. IIRC we couldn't manage a goal against Walsall in 4 games in the 3rd division.

[cdbearsfan]

Bacuna scored nine penalties out of nine for Groningen so I'd give him a chance in the unlikely event we ever get a penalty awarded.

[brian green]

Stan Lynn.   He could generate such power with the old wet leather ball the energy unleashed would prevent the goalkeeper having any noticeable effect on its trajectory.   Especially in the days when the laws were applied and keepers had to stand on the goal line.

[dave shelley]

Harry Burrows could lamp 'em too.

[PaulTheVillan]

Why didn't Barry take the penalty?

[sirlordbaltimore]

If we get one anytime soon, which one of our lads is going to have composure/balls to take it ?

I dread to think.

[Tom_Mc9?]

I think we need to cheat more.

[brian green]

In which case we should get Ash back when the fire sale starts at the Cinema of Dreams (love that name, eat your hearts out TBAR).

[adrenachrome]

Harry Burrows could lamp 'em too.

As could Bruce Rioch.

Although
Bruce Rioch, superstar
In between the posts
And underneath the bar
was not one of The Holte's better efforts

[brian green]

We had some real ball bursters taking the pens back in the day.   Dickie Dorsett, left foot blaster, the recently deceased Rhyl manager Ivor Powell, Stan The Wham, Trevor Ford then as already added, Harry Burrows another left foot cannoncrash, Con Martin who if he was playing in goal commenced his run up from his own goal line, otherwise if he was at centre half he would lope from the centre circle.   Worst penalty taker I have ever seen was Warren Aspinall.   The hardest non Villa striker of a penalty I have ever seen was George Graham.   He hit the crossbar in front of the Holte once and the ball did not land in our half.

[dave shelley]

Some great names from the past there Brian, I came in with Stan Lynn but, my father filled me in on more than one occasion about the others you have mentioned.

I remember, I used to hang on every word when he'd start on about all these former players. I loved it.  I never got the feeling that my own son felt the same reverence about the players I regaled him with, different times I suppose.

[paulcomben]

Even in these very confusing times when nobody, especially match officials, seems to know what calls for a penalty, one thing is certain. You have to get the ball into the opponent's penalty area. So, not something we need to worry our claret n blue hatted heads about.

[pooligan]

I can remember Willie Anderson missing than pen at Walsall. He had a pretty good record with pens,i can't remember him missing many .Worst pen i have ever seen ,must be the John Carew one at Newcastle when we thrashed 6-0

[Duncan Shaw]

I've heard we're going to get one against Hull.
More than just a whisper apparently.

(I know fuck all about any takeover though)

No, I think you'll find there's an 11th hour free kick on the edge of the area in the offing instead!

[brian green]

Yes Dave I too hung on every word of my older brothers about previous greats like Frankie Broome, Mush Callaghan, George Cummings and Eric Houghton (another thunderous left foot).

As for the worst penalty, that Carew miss at St James Park was not only a monumental miss of itself but it cost IMHO K Mac his caretaker job and a shot at the permanent position which into turn panicked our wet behind the football ears board into a hasty appointment of a sick man.   It is only now that the end game is being played out.