World Cup 2014 thread

[Cuthbert]

Not when you're English.

'90, '96, '98, '04, '06, '12 - All lost.

Beat Spain in '96. Won 1, lost 6.

If it was a lottery that'd be split more like 50/50. You don't lose 86% of your shootouts because of luck.

[Goofle]

Of course you can. Derren Brown flipped a coin and hit 10 heard in a row. Took him a few hours but it happened.

England have plenty of players who are used to the pressure, the issue is having individuals taking rubbish penalties or the keeper going the right way and saving it. Or even a simple matter of lesser technique on average. It's a lottery in that respect, not because they all sh*t their pants.

[Cuthbert]

Originally Posted by Goofle11

Of course you can. Derren Brown flipped a coin and hit 10 heard in a row. Took him a few hours but it happened.

I've seen it, penalties are not a coin toss though, there is some science involved.

England have plenty of players who are used to the pressure, the issue is having individuals taking rubbish penalties or the keeper going the right way and saving it. Or even a simple matter of lesser technique on average. It's a lottery in that respect, not because they all sh*t their pants.

Technique can be worked on, so if it's down to that we weren't unlucky to lose and it wasn't a lottery. English managers have in the past admitted they didn't practice penalties, it was Hodgson who changed it and got them to practice. Still went out though.

As soon as it goes to penalties the fans straight away think we're out. It's only human that past losses have planted a seed of doubt in the players' minds, then they rush the run up and scuff the kick, or try too hard and sky it. If they think they will win I reckon we'd have won at least one more of those shootouts.

Half of them don't look confident going into them, compare that to someone like van Persie or Balotelli.

[chris_mills]

If we just practise enough till everyone believes they're ****ing incredible and can do anything - then we're sorted

[misspoptart]

Anyone else apply to be a volunteer? I just had my interview last night. Good stuff!

[Cuthbert]

No sorry. Did you see my post re: tickets a few pages back?

[misspoptart]

Yep, I did. But I'm not interested in tickets, anyway, I'm going for the cross cultural drunkeness and general celebratory atmosphere. If I get accepted as a volunteer, I might get to watch a few games for free!

[Cuthbert]

Fair enough. Hope you enjoy it Miss P, bit jelly tbh but it will be pretty good here as it always is during World Cups so that's some consolation, I guess.

[Dr_Rez]

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

Not when you're English.

'90, '96, '98, '04, '06, '12 - All lost.

Beat Spain in '96. Won 1, lost 6.

If it was a lottery that'd be split more like 50/50. You don't lose 86% of your shootouts because of luck.

[Cuthbert]

A terrible record I'm sure you'll agree.