In this modern football age of xG, low blocks and a high press, Chris Wilder is a bit more old school.
But he hasn’t become one of the best managers in the English Championship by failing to move with the times.
Only last week he masterminded a terrific FA Cup victory over Antonio Conte and Spurs.
But the Middlesbrough boss also knows simplicity is key. And that’s why he loves Rangers midfielder John Lundstram.
Wilder was his gaffer at Sheffield United for four years, having plucked him from Oxford United. On the Blades’ return to the Premier League in 2019, he believes Lundstram was their best player.
After a difficult start to life at Bramall Lane, Lundstram became vital for Wilder against some of the best sides in Europe.
So he’s not the least bit surprised to see the 28-year-old excel at Ibrox.
Wilder messaged him after his wonder strike against Borussia Dortmund in Germany when he got himself on the end of a Ryan Kent cut-back to put Rangers 3-0 in front. That was something Lundstram had in his locker at Sheffield United.
Yet at Ibrox, the Scouser has made the sitting role as Gio van Bronckhorst’s anchor his own.
In the last few weeks, he has shown even more versatility by moving into the centre of defence in the latter stages of the home draw with Dortmund and against Motherwell.
But rather than pigeonhole Lundstram into one position, Wilder says Rangers fans should just enjoy him for what he is.
And that’s a modern-game rarity, in that he can do just about everything in the middle of the park.
Wilder has compared his style to that of Manchester United and England legend Bryan Robson.
And he’s delighted to see his former player thriving for Gers after a tough start to his Ibrox career.
Wilder, whose Boro side have also beaten United en route to the FA Cup quarter-finals this season, told MailSport : “John was a sitting midfielder at Oxford United and did well.
“He could have played as a No.6 for us at Sheffield United as well but he was probably more of an eight, a box-to-box guy. He has great energy to get up and down the pitch.
“In the modern era we get caught up in this argument, ‘Is he a six or an eight?’
“I just think he’s a really good player. What’s wrong with that?
“He can play in a two or a three in midfield and he’s old-school. He’s like a throwback to Robson.
“He can pass it, he can head it, he can tackle and he can get in the box to score. He can do everything.
“But we seem to have got away from this notion of just being a good, proper midfield player. That’s what John is.
“I watched his goal against Dortmund and it was brilliant. I messaged John after the game because he’s such a good lad.
“Going to a club like Rangers is the ultimate test in such a pressurised situation. But I’m not surprised that he’s now doing well. He’s athletic, a good passer and a real modern-day footballer.
“At Rangers the expectation is to hit the ground running. When that doesn’t happen and you’re out of the team it can be difficult for a new player.
“But John is now getting a run, like he did with us, and he feels like a big part of it. That’s why you’re seeing the best of him.
“It was very similar when he came to Sheffield United.”
Lundstram was criticised by a section of the Blades’ support when he refused to sign a new contract last season.
Wilder’s team were relegated while Lundstram eyed up a move to Ibrox under Steven Gerrard.
His old boss was gutted at the time but understood the lure of Rangers.
Wilder is well versed on the Old Firm and says Aaron Ramsey’s recent switch from Juventus proves how tempting it is for players – even if the Welshman has been left frustrated by injury.
He said: “John had a difficult period in that second year at Sheffield United.
“It’s always hard when your contract is running down. There will always be accusations of, ‘Is he playing for himself? Is he going full tilt?’
“You know what supporters are like when a player doesn’t commit. But he had to play for us because we needed him.
“So it was quite a testing time for John. But he had probably made his decision pretty early on to go to Rangers. There are no ill feelings.
“We wanted to make him one of our top earners but he made the decision to go.
“In our first season he’d arguably been our player of the year in the Premier League. He was outstanding. But the lure of going up to Scotland to play for Steven was very big for him because of their Liverpool connection.
“I know all about the attraction and glamour of playing for Rangers. Ramsey could have gone anywhere he wanted but chose Ibrox. It’s a huge attraction for a lot of players.”
Lundstram hasn’t had it easy at Rangers either, especially after Gerrard left for Aston Villa to be replaced by van Bronckhorst.
In January when the Dutchman wasn’t picking him, it looked likely that he would make a quick-fire return to England. And Wilder admits he was waiting in the wings at Boro to pounce.
But after being given a berth at the heart of Gers engine room alongside Ryan Jack, Lundstram has flourished.
Wilder said: “I thought about going for John again in January when he wasn’t playing.
“There would have been many admirers down here trying to get him back. But he’s been patient, he’s back in the team and both John and Rangers are getting the rewards now.”
