By MOT Leeds News speaking to Paul Robinson

26th Oct, 2023 | 8:10pm

Pundit drops verdict after Patrick Bamford penalty controversy v Stoke, he 'has to take it'

We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …

Crysencio Summerville had to respect the Leeds United penalty “pecking order” despite Patrick Bamford’s miss against Stoke City, according to Paul Robinson.

As reported by The Athletic (26 October), Summerville urged captain Pascal Struijk to “pull rank” and offer him the penalty, but Bamford took the spot kick nonetheless. Leeds subsequently conceded just five minutes after the mss through the captain’s own goal in the 80th minute in the 1-0 loss.

Joel Piroe is Leeds’ typical penalty taker, but with the Dutchman making way for Bamford, the responsibility fell to the Englishman. However, many questioned why the recently-fit striker would take it.

While in hindsight it may have been reasonable to have a sharper player take the spot kick, Robinson was adamant that the designated penalty taker should have taker it despite Summerville’s protest.

Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “The penalty taker is assigned before the game. If he’s on the field, he takes the penalty. Penalties are as crucial as set plays.

“You go through set plays, defending free kicks, defending corners at the same time as you decide who the penalty taker is. If he’s not on the pitch, you have a number two or a number three.

“There’s a pecking order and that’s how it is. If Patrick Bamford is the assigned penalty taker then he has to take it for me.”

In other Leeds United news, a BBC pundit has shared a “ridiculous” admission amid the club’s promotion hopes this season.