Narrow minded blinkered thinking from a Soccerballist, again.

[ATFC Seagull]

Would be interesting to see what kind of reception those from other countries who have missed important penalties have received. Provided there isn't another obvious scapegoat (Ronaldo, that Swiss ref, etc), then someone who misses in a shootout for England never hears the end of it. All it takes is that pressure to get to one penalty taker, and it's game over.

 

[Stat Brother]

All it takes is that pressure to get to one penalty taker, and it's game over.

If only there were people in Sports who deal with Psychology.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

If only there were people in Sports who deal with Psychology.

But my point is, there is the psychology of taking a penalty. Presumably very similar to the sports psychologists that golfers use - i.e. striking a one-off dead ball under pressure. But if they work, surely the Italians, Germans, Portuguese, Argentinians will all be using them as well. So back to square one.

If there is anything other than "bad luck" to explain England's penalty record, I'd say it's that the tie-breaker is that added bit of pressure that the players might have - not because other countries care less, but because England love to have a scapegoat.

 

[Stat Brother]

I don't know if they would work, and I'd be surprised if they worked for all the players.
Esp as it's very much something you want to do.

The point is, whatever is happening now, isn't working.
The law of averages says we should be better.

So what is there to lose?

 

[Mtoto]

The point is, whatever is happening now, isn't working.
The law of averages says we should be better.

It doesn't. It says we could reasonably expect to have had slightly better results, but still can't really be sure that it's down to our failings and frailties, as the sample size isn't big enough.

 

[Stat Brother]

It doesn't. It says we could reasonably expect to have had slightly better results, but still can't really be sure that it's down to our failings and frailties, as the sample size isn't big enough.

But by the same token the Germans should expect worse results.

I'm not saying SP is the answer, I doubt it is esp for all.
I'm more hacked off with Savage's utter contempt for the merest mention of a new way of thinking.

 

[Mtoto]

But by the same token the Germans should expect worse results.

I'm not saying SP is the answer, I doubt it is esp for all.
I'm more hacked off with Savage's utter contempt for the merest mention of a new way of thinking.

Agree completely re Savage and the rest of the knee-jerk pundits (though there are a couple in the Racing Post, Kevin Pullein in particular, who are prepared to think differently).

Where we part company is "could" and "should". Germany could have expected worse results, but it's still quite possible that the fact they didn't get them is mainly down to the operation of chance on a process where an inch either way can make all the difference. Ashley Young and Bruno Alves both hit the bar with the keeper beaten. An inch below and it's in.

And that brings up the issue of "missed" penalties all being lumped in together when there's a world of difference between one that's saved and one that is truly missed...

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Would be interesting to see what kind of reception those from other countries who have missed important penalties have received. Provided there isn't another obvious scapegoat (Ronaldo, that Swiss ref, etc), then someone who misses in a shootout for England never hears the end of it. All it takes is that pressure to get to one penalty taker, and it's game over.

I think we've grown up (or become resigned!) as a nation about losing on penalties - it's no longer seen as an embarrassment / humiliating to miss in a shoot-out because most of us now know it's not as easy as it may look. People remember who didn't score against West Germany in 1990 and Germany in 1996. But the shoot-outs since then? Do many people remember who missed in Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006?

 

[BadFish]

I think we've grown up (or become resigned!) as a nation about losing on penalties - it's no longer seen as an embarrassment / humiliating to miss in a shoot-out because most of us now know it's not as easy as it may look. People remember who didn't score against West Germany in 1990 and Germany in 1996. But the shoot-outs since then? Do many people remember who missed in Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006?

We lose on penalties so often because we don't win the games in normal time (I guess you could also say that we don't lose in normal time earlier). To me penalties is really a non issue in relation to the other problems we face in major tournaments.

having said that the fact that we end up involved in them so often should mean that we practise them to buggery before every major tournament so we get better at them.

 

[Seagull58]

i reckon if you cant hit a ball into a yard square out of the keepers reach from 12 yards when you're paid 100 grand a week and play football every day then dont fcking take one.

But they can't, can they? Thats the problem. They don't have the technical skill and they don't have the confidence.

 

[CliveWalkerWingWizard]

If we had won 50% of our penalty shoot outs over the past 22 years we would have been in 1 major final and several semi-finals - our tournament record would be similar to the Germans - are we really that far behind ?

 

[The Buttery Biscuit Base]

Pay me 100k per week and I would
Never miss a penalty.

Ever.

Would have to practice a bit mind you.

In front of 80,000 fans, with an audience of millions watching on television, in a world cup semi-final against Germany you're the fifth taker. The score is 4-4 they've just missed their fifth kick and you step up...

Never miss!?! Forget the money you must have nerves of steel!

I'd be interested to see how any of us can deal with that pressure.

 

[00snook]

In front of 80,000 fans, with an audience of millions watching on television, in a world cup semi-final against Germany you're the fifth taker. The score is 4-4 they've just missed their fifth kick and you step up...

Never miss!?! Forget the money you must have nerves of steel!

I'd be interested to see how any of us can deal with that pressure.

Its all in the head mate.

Just gotta step up and smash it home.

Easy peasey lemon squeezy