Football: Hodgson salutes breakthrough star TownsendWurde von den Bossen zum Rapport bestellt: Crystal-Palace-Coach Ian Holloway
Manager Roy Hodgson hailed Andros Townsend after the debutant inspired a 4-1 win over Montenegro that kept England on course for a place at next year’s World Cup.
Hodgson bucked with convention by naming the 22-year-old Tottenham Hotspur winger in his starting line-up at Wembley Stadium on Friday, having erred on the side of caution for much of the qualifying campaign.
It was a gamble that paid off in spectacular fashion, however, with Townsend helping to create Wayne Rooney’s 48th-minute opener before killing off Montenegrin hopes of a comeback with a fine late strike.
The victory preserved England’s lead at the top of European qualifying Group H and means they can secure a berth at next year’s tournament in Brazil if they overcome Poland at Wembley on Tuesday.
“Andros’s goal took the wind out of their sails and gave us time to compose ourselves again,” Hodgson said.
“He made a big impact. He got the man-of-the-match, which he must be delighted with. It can’t be easy for a young man making his debut in a game of that nature.
“He deserves all the credit, which I am sure he is going to get because he played well, with a calmness and composure which I have seen him play with for QPR and, most recently, Tottenham.
“I was fortunate he was able to reproduce it tonight (Friday).
“We had a lot of time to think about our selection. It was not easy to leave people like James Milner and Jack Wilshere out, as they also bring a lot of attacking flair.
“We thought Townsend’s pace against a packed defence would open doors. He really performed on the night.”
England were wobbling when Townsend struck in the 78th minute, with Dejan Damjanovic having brought the visitors back into the game after an own goal from Branko Boskovic doubled the home side’s advantage.
The Spurs man found the back of the net with a right-foot shot from 25 yards that crashed home off the right-hand post, with Daniel Sturridge adding a fourth goal from the penalty spot in added time.
Poland’s 1-0 defeat by Ukraine in Kharkiv means that they can no longer qualify for the World Cup, but Hodgson warned his players not to expect an easy ride on Tuesday.
“I watched them. In the first half they played very well against Ukraine. They had the best goal-scoring opportunities,” he said.
“If they play as well against us on Tuesday as they did against Ukraine in the first half, it will be a tough game.
“But I always back the players. I trust them. We are still unbeaten in this qualifying group.
“We are capable of going unbeaten in the 10th one (game) and with the backing we got from the fans and playing at Wembley, I have got to back them. I would be foolish not to.”
England will be without Kyle Walker against Poland after he picked up a booking against Montenegro that triggered a one-game suspension.
With Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley also ruled out of the game with a calf injury, Hodgson said that he intended to promote a player to his squad from the England Under-21s.
Montenegro manager Branko Brnovic conceded that his defenders had struggled to contain the livewire Townsend.
“He’s a high-quality player, he’s very fast,” Brnovic said.
“England were very fast on the wings and were really hard to defend against. We had some problems with that and that’s why they won.”
He also revealed that Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic’s 81st-minute substitution had merely been a precautionary measure.
“He was just tired,” Brnovic said. “We have one more match against Moldova and I just wanted to keep him for the last match and not take any risks with injuries.”
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