David Votoupal
Well-Known Member
This is something I've got around to thinking... everyone talks about a "Dutch" or "Brazilian" style of football but has English football ever been defined by a single, particular style of football.
From what I've seen and known down the years, I think the answer is a definite no. There's never been a style of football that is intrinsically or exclusively "English" in character, or one that England has been able to use as a signature style as such. For one, the short passing, attacking style that came to be associated with Central European countries (Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia) from the 30s onwards and was a precursor to "Total Football", was in fact introduced to them by English coaches.
The 50s brought new contrasts into English football. There was Stan Cullis' successful Wolves side of the time which became associated with long ball, "kick and rush" football based on pace and power and pumping it to the wings. At the other extreme were Tottenham and West Brom, among others, who came to be associated with the passing game and an attacking style that was really the precursor of Total Football. Vic Buckingham managed West Brom in the 50s and brought them FA Cup success and top 4 finishes, later spending time in the Netherlands and is recognised as one of the real architects of the "Dutch system".
The 60s is when Everton, West Ham, Spurs and West Brom were recognised throughout the land as the kings of stylish, attacking football but in later decades Ipswich and Nottingham Forest would garner renown for playing a similar style of football. On the other hand people associated Graham Taylor's Watford and Howard Wilkinson's Sheffield Wednesday sides as exponents of the long ball game, and George Graham's Arsenal were also known for boring, defensive football in stark contrast to Wenger's team of today. And today's Arsenal side is arguably the closest to Total Football or Jogo Bonito principles any English side has come in the last decade.
So in short, England has never had a truly defined style of football, especially because many clubs pride themselves on a particular style of football and fans become so used to it, they growl when they see their teams play something not to their liking. Everton have been like that, we used to be renown for attractive football and the rubbish served up in the past two decades has many fans disillusioned. I'm sure plenty more feel the same.
From what I've seen and known down the years, I think the answer is a definite no. There's never been a style of football that is intrinsically or exclusively "English" in character, or one that England has been able to use as a signature style as such. For one, the short passing, attacking style that came to be associated with Central European countries (Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia) from the 30s onwards and was a precursor to "Total Football", was in fact introduced to them by English coaches.
The 50s brought new contrasts into English football. There was Stan Cullis' successful Wolves side of the time which became associated with long ball, "kick and rush" football based on pace and power and pumping it to the wings. At the other extreme were Tottenham and West Brom, among others, who came to be associated with the passing game and an attacking style that was really the precursor of Total Football. Vic Buckingham managed West Brom in the 50s and brought them FA Cup success and top 4 finishes, later spending time in the Netherlands and is recognised as one of the real architects of the "Dutch system".
The 60s is when Everton, West Ham, Spurs and West Brom were recognised throughout the land as the kings of stylish, attacking football but in later decades Ipswich and Nottingham Forest would garner renown for playing a similar style of football. On the other hand people associated Graham Taylor's Watford and Howard Wilkinson's Sheffield Wednesday sides as exponents of the long ball game, and George Graham's Arsenal were also known for boring, defensive football in stark contrast to Wenger's team of today. And today's Arsenal side is arguably the closest to Total Football or Jogo Bonito principles any English side has come in the last decade.
So in short, England has never had a truly defined style of football, especially because many clubs pride themselves on a particular style of football and fans become so used to it, they growl when they see their teams play something not to their liking. Everton have been like that, we used to be renown for attractive football and the rubbish served up in the past two decades has many fans disillusioned. I'm sure plenty more feel the same.
