Emi Martinez

[Bad English]

When it went to penalties did anyone think even for a nanosecond France would win? I didn’t.

Apart from Martinez, who would have been prepared to set fire to his grandmother on the penalty spot to get an advantage, they had Loris, who was odds on to do a Shilton 1990 and not get near any of them.

Martinez is a winner, and he’s our winner.

I’m also glad he did the cock gesture with the trophy in front of the random Qatari dignitary. Fuck them.

Yes. A gesture which, albeit vulgar in the context of a formal ceremony transmitted to billions around the world, should not detract from the corruption, bribery, human rights, LGBT+, ethical and environmental concerns that have surrounded this tournament.

[Rory]

If I was keeper in a penalty shoot out like that, I think I'd stay in the middle most of the time.  There are always one or two that go straight down the centre, whereas if the player taking the kick puts it into the side left or right, it's got to be a great save even if you guess right.

Absolutely, about half of all penalties these days are scored when the keeper dives out of the way.

[Brend'Watkins]

If I was keeper in a penalty shoot out like that, I think I'd stay in the middle most of the time.  There are always one or two that go straight down the centre, whereas if the player taking the kick puts it into the side left or right, it's got to be a great save even if you guess right.

Absolutely, about half of all penalties these days are scored when the keeper dives out of the way.

It’s a good theory but I’m always reminded of the useless lummox Peter Shilton in the 1990 WC who did just that with no effect whatsoever. I doubt it was his idea mind as it had more to do with him being well past his best. The fact he’s a tool as well didn’t help his case.

[darren woolley]

What brilliant penalty saves  he's made at this World Cup.

[Chris Smith]

If I was keeper in a penalty shoot out like that, I think I'd stay in the middle most of the time.  There are always one or two that go straight down the centre, whereas if the player taking the kick puts it into the side left or right, it's got to be a great save even if you guess right.

Absolutely, about half of all penalties these days are scored when the keeper dives out of the way.

I reckon you’d get away with it once but it would soon get sussed out if that was all that you did.

[Malandro]

It’s worth going on the Arsenal messageboards, very salty.

[KevinGage]

A lot of waffle about fair play in the BBC comments and elsewhere after Emi's antics yesterday.

If Tchouameni's concentration really was broken by Emi tossing the ball to the side then he doesn't have much concentration in the first place.

Like a few on here, I'm glad that he rattles the opposition when he does it in our colours. We've been too Corinthian Casuals for ages and it's rarely reciprocated.

For Argentina, it's easy to mark them with the cheating tag.  They've deserved it at varying intervals since the 1960s. Positively played up to it, when they can.

But they have been different under Messi as captain.  As a player Messi himself doesn't go in for the same theatrics and general cringe of Maradona et al . And as captain, you don't see his players trying to get opponents sent off. Even if Emi pushes it in different ways.

[Dave]

If I was keeper in a penalty shoot out like that, I think I'd stay in the middle most of the time.  There are always one or two that go straight down the centre, whereas if the player taking the kick puts it into the side left or right, it's got to be a great save even if you guess right.

Absolutely, about half of all penalties these days are scored when the keeper dives out of the way.

That's because they've seen the keeper move early so put it where he isn't. If the keeper makes no movement, you sidefoot it into the corner and he hasn't got time to get there because he's moved too late (as Chris' Shilton in 1990 example above)

[LeeB]

A lot of waffle about fair play in the BBC comments and elsewhere after Emi's antics yesterday.

If Tchouameni's concentration really was broken by Emi tossing the ball to the side then he doesn't have much concentration in the first place.

Like a few on here, I'm glad that he rattles the opposition when he does it in our colours. We've been too Corinthian Casuals for ages and it's rarely reciprocated.

For Argentina, it's easy to mark them with the cheating tag.  They've deserved it at varying intervals since the 1960s. Positively played up to it, when they can.

But they have been different under Messi as captain.  As a player Messi himself doesn't go in for the same theatrics and general cringe of Maradona et al . And as captain, you don't see his players trying to get opponents sent off. Even if Emi pushes it in different ways.

I think they've been great, played with emotion but in a positive way, fully engaged with their supporters on a mission. Fully deserved, all of their games have been proper games too.

[Lastfootstamper]

My son's just Whatsapped me this:

His reputation for saving pens might be more important than his actual ability to save pens.

Emi saved;
3 in the Copa America shootout v Colombia
2 v Netherlands
1 v France and can probably claim the miss too.

I reckon that when you step up to face him and you're not a regular penalty taker you know the odds are against you.

Ha absolutely owns the stage when it comes to penalties. Look at Lloris, he may as well have gone home at the end of extra time, he was totally irrelevant for Argentina's penalties.

Mrs LFS was getting all concerned for "little Emi", as she likes to call him, before the shootout, saying she felt sorry for him having to face them. Until I pointed out that he fucking loves this shit, it's what he dreams of at night, and he'd be revelling in the knowledge that the eyes of the entire planet will be on him, and where others might crumble under those pressures, he positively thrives on it.

[boozey182]

I think I remember that Ron Atkinson told Bosnich to stand in the middle for a penalty shoot out - maybe against Wimbledon? Anyway, we lost. After that, Bosnich tried his own technique, and he was a little bit more successful!

The problem with that tactic is that the taker has to think that you might dive for him to want to put it down the middle. If you stand there for every penalty, you make their mind up for them. And isn't the decision making part of the issue when taking penalties? Indecision leads to mistakes.

In fact, if I was a manager, I would tell my players exactly where I wanted them to put it. Take the responsibility of the decision off them.

Anyway, back on topic - I love Emi. He's unhinged, but utterly dedicated. I don't know how I'd feel if he didn't play for us, but hopefully I won't need to find out any time soon. He's great, and one of the players that makes football entertaining.

[nigel]

Has anyone mentioned Neil Cutler's role in this? I bet Emi will be in touch.

He has already

Would be nice to listen in to that conversation

[Lastfootstamper]

A lot of waffle about fair play in the BBC comments and elsewhere after Emi's antics yesterday.

If Tchouameni's concentration really was broken by Emi tossing the ball to the side then he doesn't have much concentration in the first place.

I wasn't paying quite that much attention, but I shall assume that the reason Emi had the ball in the first place was because Lloris just walked off and left in the net rather than get over himself and pick the ball out of the net and hand it to his team's next taker, like a good teammate.

[thick_mike]

Also, Emi nearly stopped the 4th penalty that went high and down the middle with his foot. He was a monster between the posts.

[London Villan]

A lot of waffle about fair play in the BBC comments and elsewhere after Emi's antics yesterday.

If Tchouameni's concentration really was broken by Emi tossing the ball to the side then he doesn't have much concentration in the first place.

I wasn't paying quite that much attention, but I shall assume that the reason Emi had the ball in the first place was because Lloris just walked off and left in the net rather than get over himself and pick the ball out of the net and hand it to his team's next taker, like a good teammate.

Which is exactly what Steer did vs the Baggies. Stopped all the messing around between kicks.