Jody Handley

Everton Ladies squad no. 16
caps 34
goals 6

The most surprising of Hope Powell’s selections in my opinion. Handley missed most of last season with a broken ankle and is now not even her clubs’ most potent attacker. At this level she has never looked more than an honest tryer. England always struggle to hurt opponents of top quality and it is hard to see Handley making an impression at this stage of her career, although she did score the winning goal in England’s final warm up game.
This was a squad place where a gamble on a promising youngster might have made more sense.

Italy: 1-2

No sign of Handley getting on in this one and I wait to be shown why she made the trip.

Russia: 3-2

Ditto the above, although she did get herself on the tele in the tunnel.

Sweden: 1-1

Still no sign of seeing action and found Emily Westwood preferred as a replacement centre foward when Eni Aluko was subbed off.

Finland: 3-2

Never seemed likely to get on here.

Holland: 2-1

Hope Powell brought three attackers on during the game but Handley still didn't get a look in. I wonder why Powell selected her in the first place?

Germany: 2-6

This completed a tournament of complete inactivity for Handley.