20 Feb 2015 08:51:50
A lot of talk about Henderson and Balotelli around the penalty, but did anyone else notice Sturridge throwing a hissy fit? He also wanted to take it and I didn't see him celebrate the goal. It looked to me like he would have taken the ball from Henderson if Balotelli didn't. I know Sturridge walked away, but he is just as petulant and greedy as Balotelli. Can't make my mind up as to whether that's a good or bad attribute within a team.
20 Feb 2015 09:26:29
Watch it again, Sturridge wasn't asking to take the penalty he was telling Henderson to take the ball back off Balotelli and take it himself as that was obviously the instruction.
My take is Henderson was about to take it because he had been nominated as penalty taker but when Balotelli jumped in and insisted he wanted it Henderson didn't fancy it and gave it to someone who was up for it
Fair enough
20 Feb 2015 09:38:38
Digger
Sturridge didn't want to take it he was clearly telling balo to give the ball to Hendo. It's 1 of those situations were if the manager says who is on penalties at beginning of game is resolved. If Hebdo was confident he wouldn't of giving ball up. good pen balo and he changed the game when he come on good work
20 Feb 2015 09:39:14
I think sturridge was saying to hendo that he was the pen taker.
20 Feb 2015 09:44:27
I think his importance to the team has been made so public that Daniel's attitude in the matches recently have changed. I should have squared it at least 2 or 3 times yesterday with a good chance of a goal. I think Sturridge benefits from a strike partner, which can make him less selfish in a way. But for yesterday, I think it was just frustration of not scoring.
20 Feb 2015 10:00:42
No he didn't. He told MB to give the ball to Henderson as HE was the scheduled penalty taker. and told Henderson that he shouldn't let MB take the penalty ahead of him.
20 Feb 2015 10:46:42
My take on its similar to yours Chris. I also believe that this situation demonstrates that Hendo isn't captain material yet. A captain with authority would only need to drop the eyes in a situation like that. He didn't fancy the penalty, his body language was like that of a shrinking violet. Mario stepped up, took responsibility and scored the pen.
20 Feb 2015 11:38:45
I am delighted Sturridge didn't get to take it. In my opinion he is a world class striker and a great great player. But is absolutley shocking in taking penalties. He missed a couple already for us and the one he scored vs Swansea was not a good pen. and we were leading 4-0 already. If Sturridge took the pen. i would've been outraged but Balotelli has made a living off scoring penalites and freekicks.
20 Feb 2015 12:28:31
Definately agree with most of what has just been said. If Hendo really wanted to take that PK he would've taken it. He probably just wasnt Confident he'd bury it and so he obliged when Mario asked to take it.
20 Feb 2015 14:33:58
So BR makes the wrong decision in making hendo take it, hendo makes the decision to back down and let mario take it, sturridge makes a Decision to tell the captain what to do after he backs down and mario makes the decision to win the game.