Source: Team_Talk
No penalty fear for ace Milner
And the Aston Villa utility player has insisted he would be unfazed by the pressure if presented with such a scenario at football's biggest tournament.[LNB]Milner was unable to convert a penalty for the England Under-21s against Sweden during the European Championship in the summer and has twice failed for Villa during the current campaign.[LNB]But he will not be not lacking in courage or confidence should a similar opportunity arise with his country as he prepares for Saturday's friendly international with Brazil in Doha.[LNB]Milner said: "I'll definitely be up for taking a penalty at the World Cup. I'll always put myself forward for penalties.[LNB]"I know I've had a bit of a bad time recently. It is one of those things. It is how you bounce back from that.[LNB]"It's one of those things happening at Villa at the moment. Whoever is taking them, the penalties just don't seem to be going in. We've missed three or four this season.[LNB]"But I've got confidence and scored a few penalties before this bad run, believe it or not. Everyone has bad runs. It is about how you come through the other side."[LNB]Milner said: "I wouldn't be put off by the pressure of a World Cup. What prepares you are youth and Under-21 tournaments for England and the Premier League. Those are pressure situations anyway.[LNB]"I've taken a few in the Under-21s. In the previous European Championships tournament when we went to a penalty shoot-out (against Holland) I scored them both.[LNB]"Maybe those sort of tournaments are not quite the same in terms of pressure of a World Cup semi-final or final, but it's having the practice of being in a similar situation."[LNB]Milner has built a reputation of being a versatile player and was even used by Fabio Capello as a left-back when coming on as substitute in last month's clash with Belarus at Wembley.[LNB]Martin O'Neill's £12 million signing is hoping being a jack of all trades may give him the edge when the Italian comes to naming his squad to go to South Africa next June.[LNB]Milner said: "It might help (being versatile). There is a lot of competition for places, a lot of quality players. Any little thing that helps you is obviously a good thing.[LNB]"There is a lot of quality in every position and, when you get into tournament football, you are going to have injuries and suspensions so that might help and, if it helps, then great.[LNB]"When I was growing up, I always seemed to play on the right or centre-midfield. I played upfront a bit at Leeds and it is about learning as you go."[LNB]Milner added: "It depends how you look at being moved into a position. You can sulk and say you are not going to really enjoy it and things like that or you can learn that position to the best of your ability.[LNB]"If you do that, and learn what you can, it should make you a better and more rounded player and help you understand the game a bit more."[LNB]Milner would relish the opportunity to face Brazil after coming off the bench in the previous five internationals and believes it is important England become used to facing all types of opposition.[LNB]He said: "You want to play against the best teams and the best players and Brazil is one of them. You watch them as a kid and always dream of playing for England versus Brazil.[LNB]"It is an important preparation fixture for the World Cup. It is different opposition, South American, and will give you a different type of challenge, a different type of style to combat.[LNB]"It is about making sure we are comfortable against different styles and so we are confident going into the World Cup knowing we are as well prepared as we can.[LNB]"For me, it is all part of the learning curve. I've been involved in England youth set-ups against African nations and South American teams and that is a big plus for if you face the same sort of opposition further up the scale."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
