World Cup Qualifiers: Montenegro v England preview
England head to Montenegro tonight in the knowledge that a positive result will leave them in pole position to secure automatic qualification for the 2014 World Cup.
Roy Hodgson has accused Montenegro manager Branko Brnovic of playing mind games in the build-up to England’s World Cup qualifying crunch match at Podgorica.
Brnovic gave England both barrels early on Monday claiming that Hodgson’s side were scared of this fixture, too concerned with the state of the pitch given they are a ‘long-ball team’, worried about the away fans and a creaky defensive pairing.
"I think the English are already making excuses for a possible defeat. I don't know how else to explain the fact that they are unhappy with everything. I’m reading statements from the English players about the way the pitch will look. As far as I know, the English have always favoured long passes and I can’t see why they are complaining about this. Who should it most affect? We, or England?" Branko Brnovic said.
But the England manager has hit back, dismissing his rival’s words as petty mind games, and saying he won’t be losing any sleep over his defence. Hodgson said: "It’s definitely mind games. I’m surprised if he says defeat won’t hurt Montenegro. Most coaches think defeat hurts them. If he wants us to accept the burden of being favourites we’ll accept that burden."
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England could only manage a 2-2 draw when they travelled to Podgorica in October 2011, giving up a two-goal lead and seeing Wayne Rooney sent off.
The Balkan side had previously earned an impressive 0-0 draw at Wembley Stadium in October 2010, and proved England's toughest obstacle in qualifying for Euro 2012.
Then coached by Italian Fabio Capello, England ultimately topped their group by six points, with Montenegro finishing second and losing in the play-offs to the Czech Republic.
But the situation is far less comfortable for Hodgson and his players this time around - England are second in Group H, two points behind leaders Montenegro.
Branko Brnovic's men have only dropped points in a 2-2 draw at home to Poland last September, before beating San Marino twice, and winning away to Moldova, matching England's results in those fixtures.
In terms of his selection, Hodgson has confidence in the Joleon Lescott-Chris Smalling centre-back pairing to deal with the threat likely to be posed by Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic.
“I trust the pair of them and think they are going to do very well tomorrow night,” he said.
Predicted England Line-Up: Joe Hart; Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Chris Smalling, Ashley Cole; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young; Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck.
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Roy Hodgson has accused Montenegro manager Branko Brnovic of playing mind games in the build-up to England’s World Cup qualifying crunch match at Podgorica.
Brnovic gave England both barrels early on Monday claiming that Hodgson’s side were scared of this fixture, too concerned with the state of the pitch given they are a ‘long-ball team’, worried about the away fans and a creaky defensive pairing.
"I think the English are already making excuses for a possible defeat. I don't know how else to explain the fact that they are unhappy with everything. I’m reading statements from the English players about the way the pitch will look. As far as I know, the English have always favoured long passes and I can’t see why they are complaining about this. Who should it most affect? We, or England?" Branko Brnovic said.
But the England manager has hit back, dismissing his rival’s words as petty mind games, and saying he won’t be losing any sleep over his defence. Hodgson said: "It’s definitely mind games. I’m surprised if he says defeat won’t hurt Montenegro. Most coaches think defeat hurts them. If he wants us to accept the burden of being favourites we’ll accept that burden."
Buy FIFA World Cup tickets and England Football tickets securely on 1st4 Football Tickets .com now!!
England could only manage a 2-2 draw when they travelled to Podgorica in October 2011, giving up a two-goal lead and seeing Wayne Rooney sent off.
The Balkan side had previously earned an impressive 0-0 draw at Wembley Stadium in October 2010, and proved England's toughest obstacle in qualifying for Euro 2012.
Then coached by Italian Fabio Capello, England ultimately topped their group by six points, with Montenegro finishing second and losing in the play-offs to the Czech Republic.
But the situation is far less comfortable for Hodgson and his players this time around - England are second in Group H, two points behind leaders Montenegro.
Branko Brnovic's men have only dropped points in a 2-2 draw at home to Poland last September, before beating San Marino twice, and winning away to Moldova, matching England's results in those fixtures.
In terms of his selection, Hodgson has confidence in the Joleon Lescott-Chris Smalling centre-back pairing to deal with the threat likely to be posed by Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic.
“I trust the pair of them and think they are going to do very well tomorrow night,” he said.
Predicted England Line-Up: Joe Hart; Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Chris Smalling, Ashley Cole; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young; Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck.
About 1st4FootballTickets.com: Thousands of football tickets are on sale on Europe's biggest football ticketing website: We have Champions League tickets available such as FC Barcelona tickets, Real Madrid tickets and tickets for Bayern Munich. Last but not least we also have Champions League 2013 Final tickets available.
