Worst in the EFL - the team with a penalty problem

Newport County have converted just 2 of 9 penalties in the past two seasons, the worst rate in the entire EFL, with six of their last nine spot kicks aimed to the right where keepers have repeatedly guessed correctly.

Newport County have a penalty problem that could cost them dearly in their push for the League Two play-offs. Across the past two seasons, they have converted just two of nine penalties in all competitions — only one of six in League Two — giving them a 16.7% conversion rate, the worst in the entire English Football League.

The issue appears partly tactical. Six of Newport's last nine penalties have been aimed to the right, and on each occasion the keeper has guessed correctly, with Cameron Antwi, Nathaniel Opoku, Bobby Kamwa and Shaquille Gwengwe all denied. Only Harrison Biggins' effort at Rotherham in October found the net.

Even when Newport altered their approach, results remained poor: Ged Garner was denied to the left against Swindon Town, and Yahya Bamba's effort was ruled out for a double touch, though he converted the retake by waiting for the goalkeeper to move.

Manager Hayden Mullins, who took penalties himself during his playing days at Crystal Palace, West Ham and Portsmouth, refuses to blame individual players. He insists the squad practices penalties "for a long time" after training and attributes misses to fatigue, mindset and the psychological battle with the goalkeeper.

Mullins prefers to hand sole responsibility to his centre-forward, with Shaquille Gwenge available again after suspension.