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Swindon Town's David Flitcroft believes he has a settled penalty taker in Luke Norris

Both David Flitcroft and Luke Norris are enjoying that latter's deadly form from 12 yards.

Manager Flitcroft had some difficulty with penalty takes in his first pre-season at the club as both Harry Smith and Norris himself took and missed spot-kicks against Salisbury and Melksham respectively.

Despite his Melksham miss, Flitcroft kept faith in Norris and Town's leading goalscorer thus far has repaid that faith by netting all three of the penalties he has been trusted with this season.

Norris got his first in the EFL Trophy against the West Ham academy and he has added a further two in his last three games, with strikes at Luton and against Stevenage on Saturday.

Flitcroft is certain that, in Norris, he has a penalty taker he can rely on.

"I said before Carlisle I think I got asked the question. Luke Norris is the defined penalty taker, but like I've always said we've got a second one, we've got a third one," Flitcroft said.

"The reason is, for ten minutes he might have had a poor spell in the game and not really want it, and if he hands that over to the next one down I've not (got) a problem with that, at all, as long as we've got that clarity. Luke knows that."

There was never any doubt in Flitcroft's mind about Norris burying his spot-kick on Saturday though.

"He scored, he's flying, and I knew he was going to step up and take the penalty with that confidence and assurance that he did."

That might seem a tad surprising, given that Norris did not take a single penalty last season, with duties given to loanee Michael Doughty and Johnny Goddard netted one following Doughty's return to QPR.

"(Penalty taking) is something I opted to do last year but I was sort of (told) no," Norris explained.

"It shows now that it's my responsibility and that's three penalties now in the season so it's made the goal tally go up nicely and I'll gladly take whatever penalties come my way.

"I've always sort of enjoyed it, I think really, 12 yards out, you shouldn't really miss. I think you pick your side, you stick with it and if it's a good enough connection, unless the keeper makes an unbelievable save, I think you should score.

"I've gone a different way every time now. I know keepers, they do their research, so it's almost sort of a guessing game for them now."

 

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