Lack of preparation not to blame – Capello

(GSM) – England manager Fabio Capello insists his team’s dismal performance against Montenegro at Wembley had nothing to do with the lack of a warm-up game in their preparations.

England’s squad list was ravaged by injuries and the side failed to edge-out Montenegro in the Euro 2012 qualifier as an 11-match home winning streak came to an end.

“I made the right decision not to have a warm-up game,” he said. “There are no problems. I always prepare the same for every game. I just hope all the players will be fit for the next one against Wales.”

Capello reflected on the game and explained how losing possession denied his side the three points he was after.

“In the first half we tried to play,” said Capello. “We used possession to try to find space and kept losing the ball, so it was impossible to create chances.

“In the second half we used more long balls and we attacked the space.”

Capello then snubbed claims that England are still lacking energy on the back of a disappointing World Cup, reminding the critics that it is only a single poor game.

“It is one game,” he countered. “We have to play another five.

“I think we are a good team but you have to accept what can happen in football. It is not boxing where you win by punching the opponent more often.”