The regular Brighton penalty taker is David Lopez, despite stepping aside for the last one that he was on the field for he insists that he’s still the first choice taker of these in future.
Last month, in one of the few games that Lopez hadn’t been taken off in, Ashley Barnes grabbed the ball with him taking it to score his first goal of the season against Blackburn. Barnes was also successful from the spot against Leicester in the last game the Amex, by that point though Lopez had been taken off.
The Spaniard has revealed to the Argus that he’s been told that as long as he’s on the pitch the penalty duties are his but he wanted Barnes to take that one against Blackburn as Barnes himself felt confident to do so and wanted a goal to boost his confidence and kick start his season, which it did as he hasn’t stopped scoring since!
Last season Lopez successfully converted four from four, and has confidence in his own ability to do more of the same this season and remains, ‘in principle’ the penalty taker but also concedes that if it’s felt someone else on the pitch can benefit from this he will hand the duties over.
Personally I think a penalty taker should be decided before a game and you stick to it.
If they aren’t on the field, as is often the case with Lopez (who seems to divide opinion of some, with some thinking perhaps he shouldn’t start anyway? Being taken off 12 times in his last 13 outings is pretty damning isn’t it) then you go to the alternative.
Penalties are about being decisive, hence my views that it’s important a decision is made before the game so there’s no questioning what comes next. If Lopez is the man, and is on the pitch, then he should take them no questions asked.
If not then the next alternative (also decided pre-game) steps up; it’s simple really isn’t it.
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