David James hopes World Cup penalties will not be saving grace
Just don’t mention the penalties.
An England v Germany match at a World Cup finals may generate any number of jingoistic themes. But the two that have greatest resonance within the England camp are that they have not beaten German opposition at a finals since 1966, and England’s generally poor performance once the referee has blown the whistle at the end of extra time.
If it happens again all eyes will fall on football’s version of a wild-west gunfight. Nerves, and who can control them best, seem to play a big part – although the losers can fall back on the lucrative sideline of pizza commercials – but David James was trying to play the whole matter low key.
“It’s another football match,” he said, with a delivery that made it sound just about believable. “Obviously they’ll be a lot of external references and historic references. But for us, it’s a game against a decent outfit and one we have to win to progress.”
James’s progress to playing for England at a World Cup finals has been painfully slow. This is his third and he only made it on to the pitch for more than a warm-up for the match against Algeria last week. “I think I broke the record, the first goalkeeper to wear every number on the bench,” the 39-year-old said, as he explained how he accepted his fate when Robert Green was handed the starting place against the USA, until fate and a fumble intervened.
“I’m part of a squad; this World Cup is not about David James. It’s about England, the team, being successful.” It could be all about James if this tie goes the distance so what about the thought of penalties? “Me taking them?” he answered, in an attempt to deflect the obvious barrage. One was safely dealt with, but the next was being lined up and aimed directly at the ‘keeper, about just how well both he and the England penalty takers had prepared for the unwanted eventuality?
“It’s a bit of a difficult one because, if we save them all, it doesn’t give any confidence to the outfield players,” he said with a half-smile that suggested it was only half the story. “It’s a bit of an even thing at the moment.”
The odds of Germany winning on penalties, if previous form counts for anything, is probably a bit better than evens. “Apparently they haven’t missed in a shoot-out,” James conceded. “The intention for us is to win the game in 90 minutes – or if it requires extra time. If it goes to penalties, then there’s an opportunity for Germany to miss so we’re ready.”
The readiness for England teams to cope with penalty shoot-outs has been called into question every time that they have been found to be shooting blanks; be it through lack of practice or mental strength required. “As I say, the intention is to go there in 90 minutes. We’ve got the confidence of having gone to Berlin a couple of years ago and beat them 2-1. And that’s the intention,” parrying the latest question.
Good try, but there was more shot to be taken – just how many penalties of the five could he be expected to save? “I think the key issue with the penalties is the homework. In Euro 2004, when we played Portugal, we didn’t have access to as much information as perhaps we could have done with regards to potential penalty takers. I think this time round we’ll have that so it’s a homework issue, but we’re not going to play Germany with the intention of having a penalty shoot-out.”
None of which is going to prevent a nation from sitting, however uncomfortably and probably behind a sofa, as the drama unfolds. “I’m delighted for England, as a nation, that we’ve got an opportunity to play Germany and enjoy what, I hope, will be a great game of football and a victory for England,” James said. “But, for us, our preparation is against 11 players and whatever they’ve got to offer. If we get carried away with the fact that it’s against Germany – and all the historic value that has – then that might be detrimental to our preparation.”
A victory over Germany could also stand as preparation for another match that would provide a conduit through which to settle a few old scores. “If you look at the potential road to the final the idea of beating Germany is romantic – but it’s an achievable goal which we’re confident we can do. It then brings on another match which has its own historical values [if Argentina beat Mexico] so we want to win a game of football, get on to the next team and beat them as well.”
By then the dreamers could see the World Cup trophy itself but James, who uses visualisation techniques as part of his match preparation, keeps his sights much lower. “My visualisation is about catching balls, catching crosses, kicking balls, shouting at people,” he said. “Nothing more.”
And just hoping that there is no penalty clause this time.
Tags: