‘Can’t just do what they want’ – Sam Johnstone calls for change after Man United incident
West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone believes there should be a change to the rules about what penalty takers can do during their run-up.
The England youth international was critical of the “hop, skip and jump” run-up used by the likes of Bruno Fernandes.
The Baggies stopper saved from Fernandes at Old Trafford earlier this month, but it was allowed to be retaken due to the 27-year-old being off his line.
Asked what he thinks of the rules around penalties, Johnstone said that they had to “work both ways”.
“You need a trigger as a goalkeeper to go and that jump makes you go but you’re too early and off your line,” he told The Guardian.
“It’s just making it easier for the taker to score. If you want us to stay on our line, surely they can’t just do what they want when taking the penalty. It has to work both ways.”
The increasingly strict enforcement of the rules relating to goalkeepers coming off their line has certainly weighted things in favour of the attackers and it is no surprise to see Johnstone complain about it.
The West Brom man pulled off a great save from a Fernandes penalty against Manchester United, despite Fernandes using a stuttering run-up, but the Portuguese player was allowed to retake it.
For a goalkeeper, this would be incredibly frustrating and it makes penalty saves less likely.
Nonetheless, Johnstone has made a great start to the season and will be pleased with the level of his performances in recent weeks in particular.
He has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season and ranks fourth in terms of save percentage (via FBRef).
In other West Brom news, why the Baggies are in the ideal position to add second win v Crystal Palace
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