Joleon Lescott sees signs of England progress despite Euro 2012 exit
Monday 25 June 2012
Related articles
-
Euro 2012: England head home as penalty jinx strikes yet again
-
Two decades of agony – England’s penalty shootout woes since 1990
-
'I can't control myself' reveals Roy Hodgson's England assistant Gary Nevillle
-
Joleon Lescott drafted into England squad to replace Glen Johnson
-
Joleon Lescott says Ukraine match was the 'toughest' challenge of World Cup qualification
Defender Joleon Lescott believes England are moving in the right direction despite suffering more penalty shoot-out despair in their Euro 2012 quarter-final with Italy last night.
Roy Hodgson's side went the same way as the England teams in the 1990, 1998 and 2006 World Cups plus the 1996 and 2004 Euros in exiting tournaments on penalties.
But Everton player Lesoctt is not of the viewpoint that England over-achieved in reaching the last eight before being beaten 4-2 on spot-kicks after a goalless 120 minutes.
He said: "A lot was made before the tournament about how far we could get and in every performance we have shown pride and passion and that is what the England fans wanted to see.
"Is the quarter-finals the level England are at? Definitely not. We were confident coming into the competition, with the players we've got in the team.
"They are at the top of their game and some of them are the best in the world in their position.
"I think a quarter-final is the least of our expectations and progression has been made from the last tournament.
"It is disappointing to be going home but, as soon as we've licked our wounds, we can look back and feel we've made the nation proud."
But Lescott is aware of the need for England to conquer their penalty hoodoo.
He said: "Everyone is disappointed with the way it happened.
"The penalty shoot-out was nerve-wracking and a lot of credit goes to the boys who stepped up and put their name forward to take a penalty.
"It's one of those things we need to get past, and it's probably more mental than anything else.
"You have to blank things out to go through in a penalty shoot-out."
PA
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
iBet: Rose has the ammunition for Wentworth
McDowell did brilliantly to land the World Match Play title in Bulgaria last week, but it’s a format...
by Gareth Purnell
23 May 2013 09:13 AM
Brits on fire in the wet at Le Mans!
Wow - what a weekend for British Motorcycle racing!
by Luke Wilkins
22 May 2013 05:00 AM
iBet: Bale and Rooney transfer specials
The dust is barely settling on the Premier League season and the bookies are looking to persuade us ...
by Gareth Purnell
22 May 2013 02:01 AM
-
Roy Hodgson shuts the England door on Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry
-
On-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois still believes in Chelsea youth policy
-
After racist remark, Sergio Garcia fights for reputation as Tiger Woods slams 'hurtful' fried chicken joke
-
Manuel Pellegrini must decide on futures of Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott as Manchester City name starting date for new manager
-
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll delays over West Ham move
- 1 Exclusive: Woolwich attack suspect attended meetings of banned Islamist group - and were known by security services
- 2 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
- 3 Grace Dent: I’m not sure how these people can avoid being called ‘bigots’. And the more ‘civilised’, the worse they are
- 4 Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, the mother-of-two hailed as a hero for confronting Woolwich attackers, thought: 'better me than a child'
- 5 Woolwich attack: The EDL will seek to exploit this evil crime for their own evil ends
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Career Services
Day In a Page
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’




Comments