Keith Andrews rails against 'disgusting culture' after failed Dango Ouattara panenka for Brentford against West Ham in FA Cup

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Dango Ouattara was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons after Brentford's penalty shoot-out defeat to West Ham United in the Emirates FA Cup on Monday. But head coach Keith Andrews gave the winger his full backing, and labelled the vitriol towards those who miss decisive penalties "disgusting". He praised Ouattara's "serious courage", despite the miss.

‘What was that all about?’ – Ouattara fails with Panenka attempt in shoot-out loss

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Brentford head coach Keith Andrews defended Dango Ouattara after his audacious but unsuccessful attempt at a Panenka penalty in Monday's Emirates FA Cup loss to West Ham United.

The fifth-round clash went to a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.

West Ham scored their first two penalties to lead 2-1 in the shoot-out before Ouattara stepped up.

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And the 24-year-old winger went for the spectacular, hitting a delicate lob down the middle with the intention of deceiving goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

But the Frenchman read his intentions, standing up and simply catching the ball. The result was an ignominious walk back to the centre circle for Ouattara.

"Oh my word," said Darren Fletcher on TNT Sports commentary. "What was that all about? Not the time."

‘Clear contact’ – Andrews unhappy with ‘strange’ VAR decision to not award penalty

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"You only ever get away with that if it goes in," Ally McCoist added. "If it doesn't, it looks appalling."

There was scathing criticism of Ouattara in the aftermath of Brentford's defeat, but Andrews was staunch in his backing of the player.

"I’m not annoyed at all," Andrews said in his post-match press conference. "I think the easiest thing for a footballer to do is not take a penalty. It takes unbelievable courage on a stage like that to take a penalty.

"I despise the culture around players that miss penalty kicks - national heroes that have done it. Ridiculed, persecuted. I think it’s disgusting.

"It takes serious courage to do that. You practise that technique a lot. It goes in, everyone is raving about him. Dango will get the absolute support he needs from myself and everybody attached to us."

The miss proved costly as West Ham scored all of their penalties to win 5-3 and set up a quarter-final against Leeds United at the London Stadium.

"He looked so confident," former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole said on TNT Sports. "He took his time and looked in complete control, and he did that - it's unexplainable.

"He was outstanding, really good [through the 120 minutes], but that does not matter when you miss a penalty in a shoot-out.

"You don't want to chastise the lad, I hope he doesn't do it again in his career."

Cole: Ouattara was ‘outstanding’ despite 'unexplainable' Panenka miss

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Former Spurs midfielder Glenn Hoddle added: "He took so long, I think he had a thousand thoughts going through his mind, and when you're like that as a taker, you miss.

"The young lad will absolutely regret trying the Panenka at that time."

Brentford's chances of a first ever major trophy may have ended, but their focus will now be on securing European football for next season.

Andrews' side sit seventh in the Premier League and are on course to qualify for the UEFA Conference League.

The Bees host bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers in their next league outing on Monday.

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