Match Summary

England Team

Montenegro Team

Those of you who watch football regularly would have seen your favourite team play just like England played against Montenegro, with no real urgency, no passion and precious little to enthuse over.  It was one of those nights at Wembley and not surprisingly the crowd voiced their disapproval at the end. 

Whatever way you look at this game it was a poor performance by England, admittedly against a team that had one aim, and that was not to lose.  But England have played many games, especially at home, when the opposition had no intention of attacking, but for some reason the spark was missing and England could find no way through the massed defence.  They really needed an early goal and a through ball by Steven Gerrard in the third minute just needed a touch, but even Peter Crouch's long legs couldn't reach the ball.  Gerrard was actually one of England's brighter performers but he played far to deep in the first half as the home team's laboured approach work was easily dealt with by the well-organised Montenegro side.  Only one clear chance was created, when Gerrard found Glenn Johnson with a quick free-kick in the 16^th minute.  Johnson crossed and Crouch had a free header, which he fluffed.

Exciting moments were few and far between in that awful first 45 minutes and although wingers Adam Johnson and Ashley Young looked lively, their final pass into the box was never quite right.  Gareth Barry had a poor game and gave the ball away far too often and Wayne Rooney is obviously far from being back to his devastating best.  A lot of passes went square instead of forward and only Gerrard looked to play the ball behind defenders.  Meanwhile at the other end Joe Hart hardly touched the ball and the back four were never tested.  Having said that Glenn Johnson and Ashley Cole never made any of the marauding runs to support the attack and England's lack of ideas was worrying to say the least.  From manager Fabio Capello's point of view it was a little strange that he seemed so reluctant to change the system to try and unlock the visiting defence.

After the break England's midfield did push forward a little more and one or two chances were created.  A Gerrard cross evaded everyone and both Adam Johnson and Young shot over from free-kicks.  That followed a succession of fouls by Montenegro defenders, with one blatant body check against Young within a whisker of being a penalty.

With 21 minutes to go Capello brought on Kevin Davies for his first appearance, the oldest debutant since 1950, and for a few minutes the attack was livened up.  Off went the ineffectual Crouch, and Davies was soon combining with Rooney.  England's best attack of the night inevitably involved Gerrard who spotted Rooney's clever dart into the inside-right channel.  Gerrard's pass was perfect but the goalkeeper Bozovic made an excellent block with his right hand to stop Rooney getting the goal that would hopefully lift his spirits.  The goalkeeper again excelled as another shot from Rooney was pushed away and then Bozovic had an easy save from Gerrard's long range effort. 

The game's defining moment came with about ten minutes left as a blatant handball by Jovanovic from a left-wing cross was missed by both referee and linesman.  It should have been an obvious penalty and how the officials missed it one can only guess.  Having said that, with the inept way that England performed on the night, there was certainly no guarantee that they would have converted a spot-kick.

Ironically, with seven minutes to go, Jovanovic almost made Montenegro's night complete when he smashed a volley that beat Hart all ends up, but luckily for England, crashed back off the bar.  It was the visitor's only attempt at goal all evening.  Barry had another chance near the end of the match but Bozovic again blocked the shot.  The jubilant Montenegro players celebrated at the final whistle as they had what they came for.  England, meanwhile, trudged off the pitch at almost the same pace that they had played the match.  Why is it with England, that after two uplifting results in their opening games they then take several steps backwards again?

I suppose we should all be used to it by now.

Source Notes

BBC Sport
TheFA.com
ITV.com/football
UEFA.com
Mike Payne - football historian and contributor
____________________

CG