Cheeky penalty sums up Jose

The Athletic star writes every week for Chron Sport

I SAT out the 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe as I served the last game of my three-match suspension.

But I was proud of my teammates.

The way they battled back from two goals down, and then held on after being reduced to 10 men following James Wesolowski’s dismissal, showed our team spirit.

I’d had my head in my hands after 20 minutes. It was a terrible start and the hosts had their tails up at 2-0.

But even when it looked a tall order, I remember thinking if we pulled one back before the break we would be in with a shout.

Cliff Byrne’s goal came at a good time — and Jose Baxter’s cheeky penalty just sums the man up: he has unbelievable composure and confidence.

When I was at Coventry my teammate Elliot Ward attempted exactly the same thing, an easy-on-the-eye chip down the centre of the goal. Sadly for Elliot, the game was live on Sky — and the goalkeeper caught it! Luckily we were 4-0 up at the time...

After pegging back Scunthorpe to 2-2 I thought we were going to go on and win the game but James got his marching orders and we were up against it. A point was a positive outcome.

Now we turn our attention to the FA Cup third round trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

With more than 2,000 travelling fans roaring us on at the City Ground it should be a great occasion and, now I am available following my ban, I hope to play a part.