Manchester United’s Ashley Young and Chelsea’s Ashley Cole both missed vital spot-kicks as England crashed out of Euro 2012
– What was on Joe Hart’s iPad?
Joe Hart had an iPad shown to him before the spot kicks of where the Italians would place their penalties, but it clearly didn’t help. The only one Italy missed was one they failed to hit on target. Our guess is the message on the iPad simply said ‘Stick your tongue out, and jump around a lot’. Hart is a great goalkeeper and was superb all tournament, but he will be disappointed not to have saved Italy’s penalties.
– What was Jordan Henderson doing on the pitch?
Let’s face it, the fact Jordan Henderson was brought on said everything about how poor England’s midfield options are. Why Roy Hodgson did not select Michael Carrick for his initial squad is a mystery, and Carrick ruling himself out of the standby list were both equally stupid decisions. Henderson may one day go on to become an international standard player, but he is nowhere near ready yet.
– Why did Ashley Young and James Milner disappoint all tournament?
Both Young and Milner, ex-Aston Villa men and now Manchester rivals will both have to sit down and contemplate where it all went wrong. Milner was substituted in every one of England’s games and played last night as if it was inevitable. Young’s situation is more perplexing, tipped to be England’s key man, he failed to link up with clubmates Welbeck and Rooney and was one of the tournament’s big flops, capped by his penalty miss. He now needs to re-charge and re-group ahead of next season with his club.
– Will England ever win a penalty shootout again?
Roy Hodgson said England practiced penalties in training. What did they teach Ashley Cole, how to miss? Seriously, you can only complement Hodgson on putting in the groundwork, but as it showed once again, preparing for a high pressure situation is nigh impossible. With England it is becoming very much a mental issue, and this group of players may have to slay these ghosts in the future if they are to be successful at a major tournament.
– Was it a success in reaching the quarter finals?
Here is the contextual question which brings us out of just reflecting on last night. Many, myself included, had not even tipped England to get out of the group stage, so going through as group winners was a big success and clearly there is hope for Roy Hodgson to build on. The quarter-final defeat and performance was galling, but considering England’s shambolic preparations, with Hodgson only appointed at the last minute and the management of the Terry-Ferdinand fiasco, we should count our blessings that it was not far worse and we did not disgrace ourselves like the Dutch.
Let us know your answers…
image: © geetarchurchy
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