Hodgson confident over discipline

25 March 2013 18:47

England manager Roy Hodgson has no concerns about his side`s discipline ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifying clash with Montenegro on Tuesday.

On England`s last visit to the country, striker Wayne Rooney lost his cool to get sent off - a dismissal that resulted in him missing the first two games of last summer`s European Championships.

With the stakes high - Montenegro will be five points clear with a victory - questions have been asked of England`s ability to keep it together, but Hodgson has no such concerns, and said: "Our disciplinary record (in qualifying) has been outstanding. We talk about discipline and tactical discipline leads to personal discipline. The players are aware of it."

He added: "When you play in big matches for club or country and you`re one of the experienced players, you are always under the responsibility to play well and be the leader everyone expects you to be.

"We have those players and they want to take that responsibility. It`s not something I need to preach.

"On nights like this, our big players need to make sure they`re on form and do what we expect them to do."

A draw would not be a disastrous outcome for England and it has been suggested in some quarters that they could set out with the ambition of getting a point.

Hodgson, though, wants to go for the win.

"To play for a draw you would need to see a video before the game of how it is going to turn out," he said. "The aim is to go out and attempt to win the game. We came here in good spirits and sometimes you get a point when you don`t deserve one, sometimes you get one when you deserve more.

"We have attacking qualities and will be trying to use them. We don`t play for a draw."

Source: PA