England 0 Montenegro 0: Wayne Rooney fails to spark as stars fall short at Wembley

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Chief Football Correspondent at Wembley

Horror show: Steven Gerrard sums up a night of disappointment after England failed to find the net against Montenegro


A year of competitive football dominated by the disappointment of the World Cup ended, for England, with a performance that took us back to South Africa.

Back to those dark days of an African winter of discontent for Fabio Capello's stuttering side. To one of those lifeless displays that England have too often produced in recent years.

A brand of football lacking conviction and finesse as well as the goals that would have eased the sense of frustration as well as the pressure now back on England's manager.

There was a chorus of boos at the sound of the final whistle and understandably so.

Capello might bleat about the penalty that probably should have been awarded when Milan Jovanovic needlessly used his left bicep to control the ball but that would amount to a pretty weak excuse.

England need to face up to the fact that a Montenegro side comprising players mostly from second rate clubs did a number on them at Wembley, using a well-organised, defensive approach to frustrate opponents simply not good enough to break them down.

As ever, it came down to the failure of certain players to spark. To the failure of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard to ignite this England side with their drive, skill and ambition.

Fabio Capello said Rooney had been training well these past few days but if he was he did not transfer that form on to this perfectly manicured playing surface.


Hands on: Captain Rio Ferdinand returned to England duty and kept Montenegro's Milorad Pekovic at bay


The evidence here suggested England's best player was still suffering from the same malaise that has seen his form take a significant dip since those front page revelations about his private life; as well, of course, as the recurrence of an ankle injury that ruined his chances of taking the World Cup by storm.

Against Bulgaria and Switzerland last month he was terrific, and England benefitted as a result. Last night, however, he again appeared to struggle, the few opportunities he had usually ending with a save from the excellent Montenegro goalkeeper, Mladen Bozovic. Rooney's only other significant contribution of note was the foul he committed on Simon Vukcevic to earn himself a booking.

In Gerrard, we also saw a slight drop in standards. He remained among Capello's better players and he was largely responsible for what was a marginally improved performance after the break. But this was not the Gerrard who rescued Capello against Hungary in August and then inspired in his role as captain in the two European Championship qualifiers that followed.


Heads up: Wayne Rooney made his first appearance in two weeks after injury but failed to impress despite beating Miodrag Dzudovic in the air


Capello is sure to reject the suggestion that taking the captaincy off Gerrard and handing it back to Rio Ferdinand had an impact, and the Liverpool midfielder might feel uncomfortable with that suggestion, too. But the extra responsibility seemed to lift Gerrard in those matches and his disappointment might well have taken its toll. Even if it was not his wish to let it do so.

There were other factors too. The suspension of James Milner was felt on the flanks on a night when Ashley Young struggled to make an impact - resorting at one point to the most outrageous dive in the opposing area - while a lack of dynamism in Rooney was hardly helped by the presence of Peter Crouch alongside him.


Up in the air: Ashley Young was booked after his attempt to con the referee with his outrageous dive in the box


This was most certainly a night for someone with the pace of Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent and Theo Walcott to get in behind this Montenegro back line and create a bit of pressure.

Again, Capello went for a traditional 4-4-2 formation and again England looked far too static. Not least because they were up against a team that exposed the key problems with it. The fact that England are far too predictable and lacking in ideas as well as fluency.


Held back: Peter Crouch struggles to escape Miodrag Dzudovic as the Spurs striker stuttered in attack


They made a bright enough start, Gerrard unleashing a long pass that almost resulted in an early chance for Crouch. But it quickly became apparent that England had one main plan of attack. To get it out wide to the wingers, Adam Johnson and Young, and then try and exploit Crouch's aerial threat.

Young made some lively runs but his end product was poor. His crossing was ineffective and so were his free-kicks.

It leaves England in a precarious position, even if they should remain capable of winning Group G. Only one team can be sure of qualifying automatically and Montenegro can rightly feel they have the upper-hand after three wins and this draw, which was quite an achievement given that their three best players were missing at Wembley.


Times of trouble: Tempers flare between Crouch and Milorad Pekovic as referee Manuel Grafe warns Gareth Barry to go away


By the time the match had moved into the second half after a uninspiring opening 45 minutes, Rooney's frustration was almost tangible.

The booking eventually arrived, and with it a sign that it might be time to send for Kevin Davies as an alternative to Crouch. Capello eventually did that, and saw Davies get booked as well.

Rooney did have opportunities. Gerrard unleashed one of the better balls as the match approached the hour mark but Rooney saw his close-range shot blocked by Bozovic, before the Montenegro goalkeeper denied him again with another fine save.


Better late than never: Bolton's Kevin Davies became England's oldest ever debutant but he couldn't change the scoreline during his late cameo


It was the visitors who came closest to scoring, a half volley from Jovanovic beating Joe Hart, only to rebound off the bar.

But it was still the first points Capello has dropped at Wembley, and a reminder, to the Italian, that there remains much work to be done. Starting against France next month.





source :dailymail