Lukas Nmecha revealed Lucas Perri had to wing it a bit in Leeds United's penalty shoot-out win at Birmingham City, and manager Daniel Farke felt it might even have helped.
They are the only Yorkshire side in round five despite being second best against the Championship team.
Modern Premier League sides are so professional in their planning and analysis but striker Nmecha, who puts Leeds in front against the run of play, revealed that went out of the window in the shoot-out.
"The keeper had the sheet with all the takers on which was a bit tough because I found out the first two penalties you couldn't see the numbers on the shirt so you didn't know which way to go," said Nmecha. "So he kind of just went with his gut."
Perri has had a difficult first season in the Premier League, and Farke was delighted to see him get the headlines.
"He fully deserves to be in the spotlight because he's such a smart and thoughtful guy," said Farke.
"Perhaps it's a bit more helpful when you're not overthinking things too much.
PENALTY HERO: Lucas Perri saves Tommy Doyle's spot kick (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)placeholder image
PENALTY HERO: Lucas Perri saves Tommy Doyle's spot kick (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
"Iit was not easy for him in the recent weeks and overall with two injuries in recent months.
"He's still on the way to recover from this (mentally) and to win his momentum back. But days like this are the best in order to find his confidence back, to find his rhythm back."
Most of his fringe players will have been disappointed at Leeds having to bring on Ethan Ampadu, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson, Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon to get the job done.
"Perhaps, but they shouldn't be," argued Farke."I was also as a player too often involved there.
PROGRESS: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)placeholder image
PROGRESS: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
"Everyone thinks the offensive players, for example, should use their chance. Of course, you wish that they would do so and would add assists and goals but the reality is quite often a bit like a reality check.
"And it's physical – you have to fight. It's not the easiest pitch.
"You have to show some steel and it's sometimes not easy, especially once you have not played for a while."
Prioe and Sean Longstaff had penalties saved against Sheffield Wednesday in August when Calvert-Lewin missed but all scored in this shoot-out, along with Aaronson.
"It's even more difficult, if I'm honest," said Farke, a former penalty-taker in his days as a striker. "The head is working a bit more once you have missed one. And for that I'm even more delighted.
"We had a few of our best takers missed recently. And for that, it's good that Dominic, that Joel, that Sean Longstaff were there with well-taken penalties. Brenden as well.
"I was delighted with the quality."
Asked if he was proud of his players, Birmingham coach Chris Davies said: “I think that is a word I used with the players after the match, which I don't use a lot. "There was a tinge of frustration because I think we were deserving winners.”
Daniel James missed the game with a back injury, his sixth injury since Easter.