England need to stay disciplined against Montenegro while manager Roy Hodgson has to get his centre-back pairing right
1: Retain some defensive solidity
The thrashing of San Marino offered precious few pointers as to how England can combat Montenegro's threat in Podgorica, but if nothing else it did at least provide the central defensive pairing of Joleon Lescott and Chris Smalling with a useful outing together in front of the underworked Joe Hart. They will all have benefited from the most comfortable evening possible on the international stage. Roy Hodgson has yet to find a central partnership upon which to build his lineup, with the pair from across the Manchester divide the seventh thrust together in the eight games since Euro 2012. Some combination of Gary Cahill, Michael Dawson and Rio Ferdinand might have featured on Tuesday had the trio not withdrawn. Yet while Hodgson stressed that Lescott and Smalling are "not exactly a couple of guys from non-league football", the whole team must tighten up against Montenegro. "They'll need good protection from the midfielders working to close space in front of them, and behind the back four there is a very good goalkeeper," said Hodgson. "Let's hope we can do it as a team."
2: Maintain their discipline
England had been coasting on their last visit to Podgorica back in October 2011, a two-goal lead established a little after the half-hour mark in a game that only had to be drawn to secure the group. Yet if a defensive lapse allowed Montenegro back into the contest on the stroke of half-time, it was Wayne Rooney's petulant rush of blood and kick at Miodrag Dzudovic that truly handed the hosts the initiative. The last-minute equaliser, while hardly damaging England's prospects, was a reflection of a shift in the game's momentum. The striker hopefully returns to the scene wiser, chastened by the two-game ban that frustrated his involvement at Euro 2012, with England braced for local hostility. Steven Gerrard has warned that heads must stay focused, the need to keep bodies on the pitch clear. If the visitors stay calm, their quality should prevail to thrust them back to the top of the section. But the fact Hodgson's side are two points shy of their hosts in their final qualifier of the season generates its own pressure. This may be an occasion for patience; desperation must not be permitted to take hold.
3: Find an attacking combination that can hurt their hosts on the counter
Even with Theo Walcott injured, Hodgson has options up front. Both Jermain Defoe and Daniel Sturridge filled their boots against San Marino and will travel east pepped as a result. Yet neither feels ideal as a natural lone frontman. Ashley Young also plundered from distance with his delivery improving as the night progressed. Danny Welbeck, in contrast, was unused and cut a rather frustrated figure on the sidelines, but he already boasts five goals from five attempts at this level to suggest he is key in tight contests. A combination of these players must complement Rooney and, on the assumption Tom Cleverley retains his place in midfield and James Milner is restored to the right, it seems likely that either Welbeck or Young will operate on the left of an attacking trident. Whichever is preferred, his pace will be key to England's potency on the break against opponents who are expected to be denied half of the midfield that started in Chisinau on Friday due to injury and suspension.
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