I know how some people might see this result as an extension
of the England team malaise from the World Cup. I have to disagree with that
view totally. I thought the team played well and had a couple of good chances
to see of the match if not for the brilliance of the Montenegro goalkeeper.
Mind you, the opposition side is also unbeaten in the Group and have not
conceded a goal yet in the 2012 qualifiers.
I think Capello made a good tactical move to play two speedy
wingers in Ashley Cole and Adam Johnson. Johnson really impressed me in the
game. He kinda reminds me of a young Ryan Giggs. How we lament in the pass
about not having a left winger in Giggsy’s mould. Well, now we do. I see a
bright future for this young lad. He just needs to work on his final delivery
and he would be a potent weapon for England.
The other debutant that caught my eye was Mr Bolton, Kevin
Davies. Earning his first cap with 20 minutes to go, he must have won more
headers in those twenty minutes than Peter Crouch’s entire 70 on the field.
Davies did what he always does for Bolton, wins the first ball and laid it on
for the next guy to move in on goal. A couple of times he managed that and on
one occasion it only took a fantastic save from the goalkeeper to keep Rooney
out.
Much has been said about Rooney and his indifferent form for
club and country since his personal life went to pieces. In this game, he
showed glimpses of his old self and he was energetic and sharp throughout the
game. His link-up play with Gerrard and Davies in the later stages of the game
was beautiful to watch and is a pity it was not rewarded with a goal.
As I said, the team performed admirably and most players
gave a good account of themselves. I was pretty disappointed with Crouch’s
performance though. For a beanpole striker, he doesn’t seem to that commanding
in the air and was beaten to the first ball by the central defender time and
time again. With Kevin Davies in Capello’s radar now, he had better pull up his
socks if he wants another go at prolonging his international career.
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