Gerrard silences Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic

Liverpool captain Seven Gerrard has silenced Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic taunts ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro, saying  “they (Montenegro) seem to be more interested in saying things (then playing football).”  Yesterday, Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic claied that England were a long ball team, and said that he was sure Montenegro would make the most of them.

“I would say [England are arrogant] because that’s what could be seen, even when they played San Marino, given some of the things they said,” Brnovic said. “But things will certainly be quite different now [compared to when Montenegro last hosted England in October 2011 in qualification for Euro 2012]. We are the leaders in our group this time. We’re not chasing after anything and we have nothing to prove. This will be quite a spectacle.

“I’m sure we’ll make the most of them tomorrow. I’ve read statements from some English players about the way the pitch will look. As far as I know, the English have always favored long passes, so who should complain about this? Us, with [Mirko] Vucinic, [Stevan] Jovetic, [Marko] Basa, or England? They’re also intimidated by our fans. All these stories are coming from their side. That shows they’re more scared of this game than we are.”

England international Steven Gerrard has hit back at Montenegro, claiming “we’ve (England) have got them exactly were we want them (Montenegro)”

“With those comments it just shows we’ve got them exactly where we want them,” said Gerrard. “They seem to be more interested in saying things and doing all the talking. But talking doesn’t win you football matches. I’m not really too interested in what they’ve had to say in their press conference. I’m more interested in how the lads train at the ground on the night before the game and when the first whistle goes in the match itself.”

England will play Montenegro Tuesday afternoon 2014 World Cup qualifying- Uefa Group H, with The Three Lions sitting two points behind Montenegro in second place in Group H.  Montenegro are at the top of the group with thirteen points, and if they beat England and Ukraine in June, they will open up a eight point gap above England, who do not play again in the group (after Montenegro) until September, at the top of the table.

Mirko Vucinic, the Montenegro captain, has also verbal offensive by claiming England manager Roy Hogdson’s center back pairing Chris Smalling and Joleon Lescott as “a source of weakness” in the England team.

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