Elliott Ward: I'll never take a penalty like that again

ELLIOTT WARD says Coventry City fans will never see a repeat of his penalty howler against Southampton.
The highly-regarded centre-back chipped the ball straight at Saints' goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who promptly caught the ball.
It was the second time in three attempts that Ward has missed - but he insists he wants to remain as the Sky Blues' penalty taker.
He said: "I didn't pick a great time to make a mess of a penalty - live on Sky on Saturday night - but I think that I'm big enough to take it on the chin.
"I had made up my mind the night before that the next time I got the chance I would chip it down the middle - but, trust me, I won't be trying that again!
Unfortunately the goalie didn't dive early but stood up for that long he was able to make an asy save.
"I think the other lads - who knew nothing about what I was going to do - were shocked more than anything.
"I took a chance - it was one of those occasions where if it goes in you look great but if it doesn't you end up looking a bit of a plonker.
"If you don't try things in life then you will never know whether it will come off or not, but, in hindsight, it wasn't the right time at 1-0 up.
"If we had been 4-0 ahead and the game was over, then fine.
I heard after the game that Kelvin Davis had been given the wrong information and had been told that I put them down the middle, which I don't usually, so he stood up.
"Had I scored that would have been 2-0 and then if Leon Best had scored the one he put on to the post, we would have been comfortable before the break.
"But the important thing for me was that I didn't let it affect my game. Getting the flick on for our second goal certainly made it easier for me, and fortunately we went on to run riot without really playing that well.
"I am sure there will be a few candidates to take the next penalty but I am more than happy to put myself forward again.
"I won't be nervous and will be very confident of scoring again but we will just have to see what happens.
"The manager pulled me after my miss at Sheffield United and asked me if I wanted to carry on and if he pulls me again I will say the same.
"But if he decides it's time for someone else to have a go, that's fine and I will be delighted for whoever scores, as I am sure the lads will be if it is me again.



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