England may use psychologist for penalties at World Cup

England manager Roy Hodgson will consider using a psychologist at the World Cup in Brazil to ensure players are better prepared for penalties.

Six of the last 10 major tournaments England have qualified for have ended in defeat via spot-kicks.

“We have some confident penalty-takers, but others less confident,” Hodgson told Sky Sports.

I don’t think the players need a psychologist, what they actually need is that memory erasing gizmo from Men in Black, if Hodgson can get his hands on one of those then maybe we might stand a fighting chance in a shoot-out.

Seriously though I think Hodgson should do more than just entertain the idea and start looking for one this instant, and he should start with Dr Steve Peters (inner chimp man) whose worked with the Team GB cyclists and Ronnie O’Sullivan, because there are some players that will be in the squad who will have some very deep scars of being knocked out on penalties multiple times in their England career.

To lose on penalties in six of the last ten tournaments shows just how desperately the players are in need of a bit of extra help.