England should keep its feet on the ground

My opinion is that Montenegro is not even slightly close to England in terms of football prowess, and yet once both countries tussled it out for their group’s top spot, England bowed down easily and saw precious two points slip away.

Saturday, March 30, 2013
Ivan R. Mugisha

My opinion is that Montenegro is not even slightly close to England in terms of football prowess, and yet once both countries tussled it out for their group’s top spot, England bowed down easily and saw precious two points slip away.Simply put, England gave in to the mind games played by Montenegro coach, Branko Brnovic, who taunted them as an arrogant and long ball team. When Roy Hodgson came out to defend the Three Lions by claiming that Brnovic "may not have watched England lately”, it became more evident to me that England would likely crumble.It meant that England would have to change tactics in order to prove Brnovic wrong, but in the end, make them susceptible to Montenegro, who have nothing to lose.Best thing would have been for Hodgson to shut up and let his team do the talking on the field. Now they lost two valuable points, remained in second position and have to fight against playing the dangerous playoffs to qualify for World Cup.Finally a quality player wants to join ArsenalNo hard feelings Gunners, but your club looks more like a parody club like the Harlem Globetrotters. That is why it is hard for me to appreciate the fact that one of the hottest young prospects in football is dreaming for a move to the Emirates.Stevan Jovetic, who currently plays for Italian side Fiorentina said before the England Vs Montenegro clash this week that he would definitely join the Gunners if a chance cropped up. The 23-year old should be forgiven. He is probably following his heart and has no slightest clue that there isn’t anything to win at Arsenal anymore.No wonder his teammates have come out to advice him against such a move; Luca Toni, told him to join a bigger club than Arsenal such as Manchester United or Chelsea. Given that Jovetic is young and full of potential, its better he listens to his experienced teammates than find himself rocking in a sinking boat.Suarez at it againThe bad man of football failed to disappoint again this week. Whereas his rival in negative headlining- Mario Balotelli- is now more focused on only scoring goals, Suarez has decided to stay in the spotlight of unsporting behavior as the sole contender.Being on the losing side in a qualifier against Chile, Suarez was caught on camera punching his marker straight in face. All this happened out of the blue without any provocation, suggesting frustration perhaps, or more realistically- intoxication.Liverpool fans will tell you they love him because he is a great player and that he would do anything to gain an advantage; but that’s basic folly. Suarez must change if he is to be remembered as a player who won with his skill and not by cheating.For I cannot count how many times Liverpool or Uruguay have been awarded penalties decisions simply because of a skyrocketing dive by Suarez.