2. Injuries
England were also beset by an injury crisis. John Ruddy was forced out with a broken finger - not the end of the world considering the electric form of Joe Hart you might argue. Then Gareth Barry pulled out with a groin injury. Not to worry, he probably wasn't first choice for the midfield anyway. Gary Cahill then fractured his jaw. Ah. Then disaster really struck. Influential midfielder Frank Lampard was ruled out with a thigh injury. His absence from the Euro's was a huge blow for England. He has won everything worth winning in English football - three Premier League titles, four F.A cups, two league cups, two community shields and most recently, the much coveted Uefa Champions League. With 150 strikes, he has scored more goal than any other midfielder in Premier League history, has been capped for England 90 times, and has 23 International goals. Perhaps more pointedly, he is England's most prolific penalty taker ever with 7 goals, surpassing the previous record holders, Ron Flowers and Alan Shearer. How we could have used him against Italy on Sunday night. Click "next" below to read the next entry...