A growing concern for Newcastle?
Newcastle United beat Braga 2-1 last night to win the Trofeu Internacional de Futebol do Guadiana tournament, but for the second match in a row one of Newcastle’s star Senegalese strikers failed to score from the penalty spot.
On the day when Newcastle United launched an astonishing £15 million bid 16 years ago for the king of all penalty takers, Alan Shearer, Newcastle’s current side are struggling to find someone as reliable from the spot.
Against Olympiacos on Friday, the match went to penalties after a 1-1 draw and while the penalty shootout also ended in a draw, Papiss Cisse blazed his penalty over the bar.
Cisse has actually made a slow start this season, especially for a man who netted a goal a game last term, as Papiss also skied a shot from open play against Braga last night.
While Demba Ba has managed to find the back of the net a couple of times in pre-season, his woes from the penalty shot continue.
Last season Ba failed from the spot against Sunderland, as Simon Mignolet saved his penalty in the Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park.
Last night, the Braga goalkeeper once again saved Ba’s penalty, and while Demba slotted home the rebound, that’s now a couple of pens that the Senegal striker has missed.
Arguably Newcastle’s best penalty taker is Shola Ameobi, but the Mackem Slayer will spend most of his time on the bench next season, so it is likely to be Ba and Cisse who take the responsibility from the spot.
But with both missing in the space of two days, how we could do with someone of Shearer’s penalty taking prowess!
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Newcastle News 24/7
July 29th, 2012
I would have Cabaye on penalties personally
August 7th, 2012
Good shout, sure he’d be cool under pressure