As you would expect there is plenty of hand-wringing about England's 0-0 draw with Montenegro in the national press on Wednesday morning.

The Guardian's unflattering headline reads 'Woeful England return to dark ages' while The Sun, plumbing new depths in the art of headline writing, opts for the frankly awful 'The Fool Monte'.

The recriminations are widespread given the context of a dismal World Cup campaign, and the familiar sight of the tabloids scenting blood is in evidence once again, but surely some perspective is required? England will probably still qualify with ease and there was at least one bright spot.

Former England striker Alan Smith, writing in The Telegraph, highlights the performance of Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.

“Some players can transfer their club form on to the international stage without too much drama. They feel nice and comfortable making the step-up, or at least confident enough to try things they do naturally week after week. Others, however, need a little more time. Initially, the different atmosphere tends to inhibit them. Some settle down a few caps down the line while others are destined to never make the grade.

“A good example of these two scenarios could be seen at Wembley last night where England’s two wide men experienced contrasting fortunes. Because while Ashley Young seems to represent one of the latter, someone yet to show his vibrant Aston Villa form in an England shirt, Adam Johnson looks like the opposite case after another effective performance against Montenegro.

“Following on from his exciting display in Switzerland, capped by a well-taken goal, the Manchester City winger proved at Wembley that it was not a fluke, that he is likely to be around for the long term as a potent option on one of England’s flanks. He made this impression, what’s more, in difficult circumstances, when very few of his team-mates could find their feet in a first half littered with basic errors.”

Smith concludes:

“Actually, they have started calling him 'Besty’ in the England camp. To be fair, it is a nickname any winger would absolutely kill for — that is as long as it refers to his devastating dribbling skills rather than an active social life to rival the late, great George Best.”