who's jordan?

Not quite sure what joke you're trying to crack there.

That's probably because it's a common training technique these days. I'm not sure back in 1990 they did that sort of thing because let's face it they were still going out on the dirty beer pop in those days.

Interesting to read what Pirlo has said post-shoot out. Knowing that Hart will have seen that he normally goes low to one side, he does that instead and did it to unsettle the England takers.

Now then, experts, what did Roy do that was so much better than Fabio, then?

A group of Japanese investors have bought shares in Sabadell soccer club worth €616,000 (£495,000). Interesting times ahead for the Catalan club.

where did you read that?

Nothing, just cost the FA a lot less than it cost them for Fabio's failings.

He wasn't born abroad.

Football365 I think

(not that I'm conveying the epithet of expert onto myself...)

Difficult to say without being privy to training. Kept things simple and didn't try to change too much in the short period of time he had to work in is how it looks to me. Given the circumstances of his appointment to the job, it probably makes sense that a lot of his selections - particularly where an established first choice withdrew - were players he'd worked with before.
Hodgson's real job starts now. It wasn't really about these championships just because of how and when he took the job, though he had as good a bash at it as he could. Now it's about building his own side, a side he can take to the next two major championships.

That said, Asim's point is quite pertinent.

Quote ="John_D"Football365 I think'" Just seen an article on that site where kopcke the german goalkeeping coach says practicing them is pointless. www.football365.com/news/21554/7 ... ournament- [iBut Kopke said: "It's near impossible to 'practise' penalty shootouts in training. "In training, players just whack it in and they do different things when it really counts. "It makes precious little sense to practise penalties during training."[/i We are mentally weak.

Quote ="John_D"Football365 I think'" Just seen an article on that site where kopcke the german goalkeeping coach says practicing them is pointless. www.football365.com/news/21554/7 ... ournament- [iBut Kopke said: "It's near impossible to 'practise' penalty shootouts in training. "In training, players just whack it in and they do different things when it really counts. "It makes precious little sense to practise penalties during training."[/i We are mentally weak.

Quote ="Wilbred T Pricklepop"Just seen an article on that site where kopcke the german goalkeeping coach says practicing them is pointless. www.football365.com/news/21554/7 ... ournament- [iBut Kopke said: "It's near impossible to 'practise' penalty shootouts in training. "In training, players just whack it in and they do different things when it really counts. "It makes precious little sense to practise penalties during training."[/i We are mentally weak.'" That's where critical analysis of the penalty practice comes in and a structure to that practice, something addressed in the book 'On Penalties' (which I've just ordered) which was referenced in David Winner's excellent Brilliant Orange (which I've recently finished) where he discusses Dutch failures at penalties and brushing off each successive penalty defeat as bad luck, can't train for it, lottery etc etc etc. Far be it from me to disagree with a much-decorated goalkeeper like Kopke, I am going to do so anyway.

Quote ="Wilbred T Pricklepop"Just seen an article on that site where kopcke the german goalkeeping coach says practicing them is pointless. www.football365.com/news/21554/7 ... ournament- [iBut Kopke said: "It's near impossible to 'practise' penalty shootouts in training. "In training, players just whack it in and they do different things when it really counts. "It makes precious little sense to practise penalties during training."[/i We are mentally weak.'" That's where critical analysis of the penalty practice comes in and a structure to that practice, something addressed in the book 'On Penalties' (which I've just ordered) which was referenced in David Winner's excellent Brilliant Orange (which I've recently finished) where he discusses Dutch failures at penalties and brushing off each successive penalty defeat as bad luck, can't train for it, lottery etc etc etc. Far be it from me to disagree with a much-decorated goalkeeper like Kopke, I am going to do so anyway.

There might not be a huge amount to be gained for the regular takers, but surely for a David Batty there must be some benefit? Simply knowing when they walk up "I'm going to hit it low to the right because that's what I've practised and that's my best penalty" must be one less thing to worry about?

Just under 20 years ago. We ended up putting him on the left wing and going with the completely dysfunctional pairing of Gerrard and Lampard in the middle.

Exactly that. That has to be better than just hoping for the best.

He can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
The problem lies much further back in the chain.

My son and grandson have been footballers at local level from being little lads and I have attended training sessions many a time.
I have seen a big emphasis on passing and moving and shooting.
I have never seen a coach say to the lads ''Right today, I will show you how to dribble.''
''Today I will show you how to trap and control a ball.''
''Today I will show you how to attack a corner ball, where to stand and when to run in.''
''Today I will show you just how to head a ball.''
''Today I will show you ways of tackling.''
Etc, etc............

It's assumed they will acquire these skills by osmosis.
By trial and error and by playing. Which they will, but it takes longer and inbuilt flaws become deep-set. A bit like a golfer that is self taught rather than coached by a pro.

You see them (coaches) instead doing zonal things with someone holding a clipboard and inviting them to take part in fairly meaningless routines and exercises.

We could take 20 perfect penalties.

.....Germany would take 21!

Personally

I think we'd stand a better chance of winning a penalty shootout if we didn't practice at all. If the manager and coaches never mentioned it, and the press never mentioned it. Then if it came down to a shootout the players would have to act on instinct.

Everytime we get to a major tournament it's always mentioned, we get to a knockout game and it's pretty much all anyone talks about.

This, plus practicing them in training builds tension and nerves. Players will wonder whether they'll be able to re-create that technique in the pressure situation. That then plays on their mind on the long walk to the spot.

Surely that's cheating!

If it was a case of practicing them we'd have won one of the 5 recent shootouts we've lost.

Are we really naive enough to think penalties were't practiced in 04? in 06? this year?

For me, practicing them can in itself creates pressure. Because it gives the players a specific technique in their memory bank that they are trying to re-create exactly.

You go in their without practicing, you decide probably as you step up what you are going to do and use your instict and ability as an international footballer to beat the keeper.

What i mean is at that stage it'll be in sudden death, we'll take a poor penalty and they'll take another perfect one to end the contest.

Where do you come up with this drivel?

Best distraction effort ever? i.imgur.com/vBdNd.jpg

Best distraction effort ever? i.imgur.com/vBdNd.jpg

Quote ="Roddy B"Best distraction effort ever? i.imgur.com/vBdNd.jpg'"

Quote ="Roddy B"Best distraction effort ever? i.imgur.com/vBdNd.jpg'"

Just a thought with regard to improving our pretty dreadful penalty shoot out record.....

....What about at the end of every Premier League game that ends in a draw, we have a shoot out, with the winning side gaining an extra point on top of the 1 they will already have got for the draw??

As somebody on the radio pointed out today, players like Ashley Cole will be lucky to take a half dozen normally in their career, so its little wonder they miss important attempts like last night's....The law of averages indicates at some point a player will miss a penalty, last night's was Cole's moment unfortunately - You only have to look at Stuart Pearce in 1990, who was normally deadeye accurate from a penalty or set-piece, he just happened to be unlucky enough that his big miss was in such a high profile game.

Whilst my idea is obviously outlandish and pretty unthinkable, it would serve to create this pressurised environment which most observers accept, can't be authenticated on a practice ground, and would also give players a lot more experience of taking pens in a serious game.