Montenegro vs England: Gareth Southgate has no hesitation throwing youngsters into ‘hostile’ environment
Gareth Southgate says he will have no hesitation about throwing his young stars into the potentially-intimidating environment of Monday night’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro.
Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole were verbally abused and targeted with missiles when England travelled to Podgorica for a World Cup qualifier in 2013 and a similarly tough atmosphere is expected.
But Southgate said his youngsters were ready for any challenge they may face. “This is part of their education and to be a top team we’ve got to adapt to every environment we go into,” he said on Sunday night.
“Friday at Wembley is always a different experience to going away from home in a qualifier, which is always difficult. But the only way the team can learn and improve is by going through these experiences.”
Midfielder Jordan Henderson echoed his manager’s sentiment: “I think the gaffer is right. It’s part of the experiences you have becoming a footballer, playing in hostile environments.
1/14 Jordan Pickford – 6
A virtual spectator tonight, and he will have a solid England defence and a poor Czech attack to thank for that. Looked shaky though during a couple of the Czech half-chances.
Action Images via Reuters
2/14 Kyle Walker – 5
Got forward well as demonstrated by Sterling’s second, but was sloppy a couple of times when in his own half, with one error nearly leading to a Schick goal.
AP
3/14 Michael Keane – 6
Solid performance overall from the Everton man, putting some rather inconsistent displays with his club behind him, despite the nervy moments at the start of the second.
AP
4/14 Harry Maguire – 6
Looked unconcerned throughout despite Vydra’s pre-match comments, was the most assured of all the defenders.
AP
5/14 Ben Chilwell – 6
Did well in the first half to get forward and offer Sterling an option, and was largely adept at the back limiting the number of Czech chances.
Action Images via Reuters
6/14 Jordan Henderson – 6
Shielded the back four relatively well and was also one the receiving end of some mistimed tackles, but helped England maintain the balance in midfield.
Getty Images
7/14 Eric Dier – 5
Was in the wars early on both giving and receiving hefty challenges, and the one from Soucek saw him go off in the 17th minute for Barkley.
Getty Images
8/14 Dele Alli – 6
ot one of his finest nights, but was involved in some nice play around the box in the first half. Southgate was obviously wary of managing his fitness.
AFP/Getty Images
9/14 Jadon Sancho – 8
Showed us why Dortmund fans have been so eager to see him each game this season. He added a lovely assist for Sterling’s first and there were plenty of displays of silky skills too.
AFP/Getty Images
10/14 Harry Kane – 7
A great defence-splitting pass to put in Sancho for the opening goal, before powering home a penalty right on half-time. Wasn’t as influential in the second half but did the damage when it counted.
PA
11/14 Raheem Sterling – 9
His composure in front of goal is now clear for all to see, the second in particular a beautifully taken effort on the turn. He was a nuisance all night and he deserved his hat-trick, taking his tally to 24 in all competitions this season.
REUTERS
12/14 Ross Barkley – 6
Willing runner behind the defence and picked up some good positions in the box after coming on for Dier. Gave the likes of Dele Alli a great option
Getty Images
13/14 Declan Rice – 5
One man who looked like the occasion got to him after coming on with some hesitant touches, but is certainly one for the future.
Getty
14/14 Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6
Yet to make a Premier League start, but Hudson-Odoi carried on the good work down the left-hand side and was unlucky he did not end up with a goal, despite his heavy involvement in Kalas’ own goal.
Getty
1/14 Jordan Pickford – 6
A virtual spectator tonight, and he will have a solid England defence and a poor Czech attack to thank for that. Looked shaky though during a couple of the Czech half-chances.
Action Images via Reuters
2/14 Kyle Walker – 5
Got forward well as demonstrated by Sterling’s second, but was sloppy a couple of times when in his own half, with one error nearly leading to a Schick goal.
AP
3/14 Michael Keane – 6
Solid performance overall from the Everton man, putting some rather inconsistent displays with his club behind him, despite the nervy moments at the start of the second.
AP
4/14 Harry Maguire – 6
Looked unconcerned throughout despite Vydra’s pre-match comments, was the most assured of all the defenders.
AP
5/14 Ben Chilwell – 6
Did well in the first half to get forward and offer Sterling an option, and was largely adept at the back limiting the number of Czech chances.
Action Images via Reuters
6/14 Jordan Henderson – 6
Shielded the back four relatively well and was also one the receiving end of some mistimed tackles, but helped England maintain the balance in midfield.
Getty Images
7/14 Eric Dier – 5
Was in the wars early on both giving and receiving hefty challenges, and the one from Soucek saw him go off in the 17th minute for Barkley.
Getty Images
8/14 Dele Alli – 6
ot one of his finest nights, but was involved in some nice play around the box in the first half. Southgate was obviously wary of managing his fitness.
AFP/Getty Images
9/14 Jadon Sancho – 8
Showed us why Dortmund fans have been so eager to see him each game this season. He added a lovely assist for Sterling’s first and there were plenty of displays of silky skills too.
AFP/Getty Images
10/14 Harry Kane – 7
A great defence-splitting pass to put in Sancho for the opening goal, before powering home a penalty right on half-time. Wasn’t as influential in the second half but did the damage when it counted.
PA
11/14 Raheem Sterling – 9
His composure in front of goal is now clear for all to see, the second in particular a beautifully taken effort on the turn. He was a nuisance all night and he deserved his hat-trick, taking his tally to 24 in all competitions this season.
REUTERS
12/14 Ross Barkley – 6
Willing runner behind the defence and picked up some good positions in the box after coming on for Dier. Gave the likes of Dele Alli a great option
Getty Images
13/14 Declan Rice – 5
One man who looked like the occasion got to him after coming on with some hesitant touches, but is certainly one for the future.
Getty
14/14 Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6
Yet to make a Premier League start, but Hudson-Odoi carried on the good work down the left-hand side and was unlucky he did not end up with a goal, despite his heavy involvement in Kalas’ own goal.
Getty
“A lot will have played in those kind of environments anyway. It’s about concentration on what’s important, working hard together and putting on a performance to get the right result.”
Henderson also shrugged off the potential milestone of achieving his 50th England cap in the match.
He said: “I’m proud to play for my country but the type of person I am, I’ll not really think about it too much.
“Maybe I’ll think about it when I finish my career but at the moment I just want to concentrate on doing the best for my team.
