There is a peculiar comfort in the old fashioned things. In an era of inverted full backs, half spaces, and positional play, England under Thomas Tuch...
There is a peculiar comfort in the old fashioned things. In an era of inverted full backs, half spaces, and positional play, England under Thomas Tuchel have unearthed a weapon so blunt, so brazenly direct, that it feels almost rebellious. Saturday's nerve shredding 2. 1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo was not just a statement of resilience; it was a tactical homage to a bygone age.GoalZaza has the numbers. Thirty five crosses in open play. That is the highest tally for an England side since the 1966 World Cup winning campaign. Let that sink in. For the first time in sixty years, England have decided to bypass the midfield clutter and deliver the ball into the box early and often. It is not fancy. It is not subtle. But against a side that parked the bus deeper than a London night bus, it was brutally effective.The victory itself carried its own historical weight. This was only the second time England have won a World Cup match after going a goal down, the first being that glorious afternoon in 1966 against West Germany. The parallels are easy to draw and perhaps a little lazy, but Tuchel is not afraid of the comparison. He has looked at Ramsey's ancient blueprint and decided that if it was good enough for a golden generation, it is good enough for this one.What does this tell us about this England side They have bottle. Going behind in a knockout tournament is the ultimate test of nerve, and they passed it. But more importantly, they have tactical flexibility. When the low block stifles the intricate passing, they are willing to get the ball into the mixer. Jude Bellingham's header was a direct result of a cross. Harry Kane's winner came from a second phase ball into the area. The patterns are not complicated, but they are effective.Of course, the purists will wince. Thirty five crosses feels desperate, almost prehistoric. But in a tournament where control is king, sometimes you need a crown made of chaos. Tuchel understands that the beautiful game is not always about possession. Sometimes it is about putting the ball where the goalkeeper does not want it and letting your forwards scrap. England are learning to fight ugly. And that, my friends, is what wins trophies.
