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Penney preparing players for a penalty parade
Darlington manager Dave Penney has explained his reasoning for staging a mock penalty shoot-out after last Saturday's game with Dagenham & Redbridge.
Quakers' last home match of the regular season was followed by ten of his squad each taking a penalty against goalkeepers David Stockdale and Przemyslaw Kazimierczak.
With a penalty shoot-out in the play-offs a possibility, Penney was hoping to replicate as near to authentic match conditions as possible. He intended to perform the exercise in front of a large contingent of Darlington fans who had been highly vocal in their support when Quakers went 2-0 up. But throwing away the lead and suffering a third consecutive Arena defeat meant many of the home crowd left before the practice penalties.
After a home win two years ago, Watford did the same thing, and Penney explained: "I thought it was a good idea because some players aren't used to taking penalties in front of a crowd.
"It's quite easy to take penalties on a training pitch but there aren't any people there to replicate the atmosphere. You don't have people behind the goal trying to put you off. Hopefully it will stand us in good stead if we get to that stage in the play-offs."
Penney last week called on the fans to show their backing for the team, and he added: "The supporters getting behind us was excellent. I'd called for it in the Press and they certainly responded. The supporters were fantastic and I just wish we could have got a result for them."
Darlington's play-off semi final will be against either Rochdale or Stockport.
Saturday's visit to already-promoted Peterborough will determine whether Darlington finish the season sixth or seventh and face Dale or the Hatters. Already certain is that Quakers will be at home in the first leg on May 10 or 11 and away in the second leg on Saturday, May 17.
3:03am Thursday 1st May 2008
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CommentPosted by: ANTHONY, at work on 3:21am Thu 1 May 08
I KNOW ABOUT RECENT RESULTS BUT EVERYONE MUST STILL BE BUZZING ABOUT THE PLAY-OFFS, I FOR ONE CANT WAIT AND JUST HOPE WE HAVE BUMPER CROWDS FOR BOTH LEGS (ESPECIALLY AT HOME). CMON LADS !
I KNOW ABOUT RECENT RESULTS BUT EVERYONE MUST STILL BE BUZZING ABOUT THE PLAY-OFFS, I FOR ONE CANT WAIT AND JUST HOPE WE HAVE BUMPER CROWDS FOR BOTH LEGS (ESPECIALLY AT HOME). CMON LADS !
Posted by: Darren, Darlington on 7:22am Thu 1 May 08
If we do have bumper crowds, we'll only crumble under pressure as we always do under big attendances. Im excited yes, but due to recent campaigns and what should have been this season im also reserved and im not building my hopes up at all
If we do have bumper crowds, we'll only crumble under pressure as we always do under big attendances. Im excited yes, but due to recent campaigns and what should have been this season im also reserved and im not building my hopes up at all
Posted by: Jack Spratt, Blackhall Rocks on 10:04am Thu 1 May 08
[italic][italic][bold]Bumper Crowds? So you are hoping for 3,500 in the play off game at home then[/bold][/italic] [/italic]
Bumper Crowds? So you are hoping for 3,500 in the play off game at home then Posted by: Paul, Plymouth on 12:25pm Thu 1 May 08
Im a big Darlo fan, even though i live down south. It would be nice to put the demons of the last 2 play offs to rest and prove the doubters wrong.
Im a big Darlo fan, even though i live down south. It would be nice to put the demons of the last 2 play offs to rest and prove the doubters wrong.
Posted by: col, down south on 2:34pm Thu 1 May 08
Darren is right. Our best chance is if nobody goes to watch, so we don't end up bottling in front of a big crowd.
All true Darlo fans should support the team and stay at home!
Darren is right. Our best chance is if nobody goes to watch, so we don't end up bottling in front of a big crowd.
All true Darlo fans should support the team and stay at home!
Posted by: Derek, Adelaide on 10:57pm Thu 1 May 08
I have been a Quakers supporter for over 60 years,but I never over-estimate the team's potential. To get throught the play-offs will require an extraordinary reversal of form. This season the club has not yet won a point away from home against the other top teams in the Division (with Peterborough to come).
Nor is the team's scoring record at home anything to be proud of: except for the four goals against Stockport only three other goals were scored, for two wins and a draw.
I wish the team the best of luck in the next few weeks.
I have been a Quakers supporter for over 60 years,but I never over-estimate the team's potential. To get throught the play-offs will require an extraordinary reversal of form. This season the club has not yet won a point away from home against the other top teams in the Division (with Peterborough to come).
Nor is the team's scoring record at home anything to be proud of: except for the four goals against Stockport only three other goals were scored, for two wins and a draw.
I wish the team the best of luck in the next few weeks.
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