‘Send it long’, ‘if in doubt, kick it out’ and ‘get stuck in’ are the types of phrases you will hear in playgrounds and grassroots clubs across the country.
While the Spanish have their ‘tiki-taka’, the English have ‘route one’ football.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton produced such goods in the win over the Netherlands, playing a perfect long ball to Alessia Russo, who teed up Lauren James for England’s opener. It set the tone for a dominant display.
It’s not just the Lionesses who strive to play to their identity. The Football Association hired a manager for the men’s team who continued to instill the fundamentals of the English DNA, bringing in ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, despite his rich German philosophy.
With Dutchwoman Wiegman in charge, however, the Lionesses’ DNA has morphed slightly. Their English fight remains, but their style has adapted. There is no rigid 4-4-2 with this team, but a midfield three, and sometimes three at the back.
They are more possession-based and attempt to build up play from the back, using Keira Walsh as a pivot in midfield.
If anything, Wiegman’s side strive for ‘total football’ – a Dutch identity from the Johan Cruyff era – a dynamic and creative playing style, which relies on the versatility of players.
But in order to do that, England’s basics must remain.
Stanway’s rallying cry earlier this week was to “stop talking” and do their business on the pitch.
“Sometimes it’s about blocking out the noise, getting on the pitch and getting stuck in,” she explained.
England striker Russo was one of the standout performers against the Netherlands, picking up three assists.
Asked what being ‘proper English’ meant to her, she said afterwards: “It means we’ll work hard until we can’t run any more and stick together.
“We know that we are very dominant on the ball. We wanted to return to our roots and we know we’re capable of performances like that.”
