Penalty woes on English minds

London, Nov. 13: England manager Gareth Southgate is thinking of putting his team through a mock penalty shootout before a Wembley crowd in an attempt to overcome their traditional nerves at major competitions.

England have suffered shootout eliminations from six major tournaments — three World Cups and three European Championships — since Italia 90, enjoying one solitary success against Spain in Euro ’96.

Their win ratio of 14 per cent is the worst of any major nation involved in more than five shootouts.

Southgate famously missed from the spot against Germany in Euro ’96, allowing himself to be lampooned in a pizza advert alongside Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce, who both fluffed penalties in the 1990 World Cup semi-final against Germany.

England’s failures have become a recurring national joke, with acres of newsprint and even studies devoted to why their players are found wanting in such situations.