England need just a point from their final Euro 2012 qualifying match against Montenegro to qualify for next summer’s tournament. Sport-locker.net looks ahead to the crucial fixture and where the game might be won and lost

MOBILITY KEY TO ENGLISH ATTACKING SUCCESS

According to Castrol EDGE Performance data, England function at their best during the UEFA EURO 2012™ qualifiers when their attacking players are given the freedom to swap positions, with the Three Lions’ impressive 3-0 win against Bulgaria a perfect example of this fluid forward play.

In that game at Wembley, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott were all mobile, with the Arsenal wideman switching wings throughout the game (see bottom graphics).

In comparing England’s average touch graphics in that victory against Bulgariato their disappointing draw with their opponents on the 7^th, Montenegro, the differences are stark.

In the win over the Bulgarians, the attacking players all have average positions in the centre of the pitch, which indicates that they moved from one side of the pitch to the other (see bottom graphic).

However, in the game against the Montenegrins, widemen Ashley Young (7) and Adam Johnson (11) staying out wide on their respective wings.

While England need only a point to qualify to Polandand Ukraine, manager Fabio Capello will still expect a positive performance in Podgorica on the 7^th, with fluidity up front the key to an English win.

England v Montenegro – Oct 12^th 2010    

 England Ave Positions

Bulgaria v England – Sept 2^nd 2011

England Ave Positions                       

England Player Touches v Bulgaria – Sept 2^nd 2011

A. Young                               Rooney                              Walcott

                           

                                            

MONTENEGRO NEED TO GET MORE CROSSES INTO THE OPPOSITION BOX

Castrol EDGE Performance data shows that Montenegro’s best chance of success against England in the UEFA EURO 2012™ qualifier may well come from wide areas, with the second-placed side in Group G finding a team-mate with a competition-high 28% of their open-play crosses.

Interestingly, the Montenegrins have only whipped over 71 crosses from open play, a total superior to just five other teams in the competition.

However, when they do get the ball into the opposition box from out wide, they are more likely to find a team-mate than any other side.

This ability to pick out a player in the opposition box needs to be utilised more frequently by Branko Brnovic’s side if they are to trouble England’s backline and keep their hopes of a play-off place alive and kicking.

UEFA EURO 2012™ Qualifiers – Top 5 Open Play Crossing Success %