The pressures of taking a 94th minute penalty at 2-1 down to clinch a point is why Josh Cullen plays the game.
Seconds after referee Matthew Donohue pointed to the spot for a Semi Ajayi foul on Naby Sarr, Cullen without hesitation put the ball under his arm claiming the responsibility of giving Lee Bowyer’s men the point they deserved.
Sending Rams keeper Sam Johnstone the wrong way, the 23-year-old West Ham loanee fired to the roof of the net before celebrating in front of the always noisy traveling fans.
“It’s football, they’re the moments you’re in the game for,” he admitted.
“I enjoy being under that bit if pressure and it was nice to be able to put it away and make sure we got at least appoint which is what we deserved.”
Cullen’s style of spot-kick my differ from the brilliantly nonchalant run-up favoured by usual penalty taker Lyle Taylor, but the result was effectively the same even if Cullen admits he doesn’t do his research on the keeper.
“Yeah, it was something we decided as a team that I’ll be the taker the day before the game.
“Fortunately one came along and I put it away!
“Lyle’s normally got the responsibility, so I haven’t watched videos of the keeper or where he goes, I go on instinct, pick your spot, and it worked ok.”
So for a man who’s only scored two goal for the club in 42 appearances, his first coming away at Gillingham in April, does he set himself a target for the season?
“There’s no target!”
“But it’s always nice to score, if I can get on it more than I have been I’ll be over the moon, but I just want to keep doing my job, perform as well as I can and I’ll be happy.”
Cullen will be in action next Sunday when Preston visit The Valley.
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