Lee Johnson has explained the logic behind in front frontman Charlie Wyke's absence from penalty duties in Sunderland's shootout win against Lincoln City in midweek.
Wyke scored his 22nd goal of the season in all competitions as the Black Cats drew 1-1 against the Imps at the Stadium of Light, before going on to win 5-3 on penalties to book their place in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley.
But despite his goal glut Wyke was not among Sunderland's five penalty-takers on the night, with Max Power, Luke O'Nien, Chris Maguire, Aiden McGeady, and Grant Leadbitter given that responsibility.
And nor did Wyke take a penalty in Sunderland's 5-4 penalty shootout defeat against Portsmouth in the Trophy final two years ago.
Johnson says there is no question of Wyke being reluctant to take a penalty, and he revealed that the striker was due to take the sixth penalty if the shootout had gone to sudden-death.
"It's unusual [for a striker not to take a penalty in a shootout], but he was down to take the sixth penalty," said Johnson.
"I think sometimes that sixth penalty can be really important.
"There were four or five players who we had identified because they have taken a lot of penalties over their careers, they hit a clean ball, and they took the first set.
"But Charlie was champing at the bit to take a penalty, and it was my choice to put him number six.
"I think that your number six and seven takers are very important, you want them to have the confidence and the trust in themselves to score.
"We were lucky the other day in that we had eight or nine who all wanted to take a penalty, so it was just down to myself and [his assistant] Jamie McAllister to make up that order - we looked at it as though we were taking ten, rather than five."
