Interim England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd dismissed any stigma over his style after helping the Young Lions to Euro 2017.
The former Watford manager finished the job after wins over Kazakhstan and Bosnia saw England top Group 9 and qualify for next year's European Championship in Poland.
It completed a personal turnaround after Boothroyd was axed by Northampton in 2013 with the Cobblers bottom of the EFL.
He was appointed England Under-20 boss 11 months later and is filling in for Gareth Southgate, after he replaced ex-senior manager Sam Allardyce following his exit amid the Daily Telegraph's investigation into corruption in football.
Boothroyd had been labelled with playing a direct style but, after England routed Bosnia 5-0 at Walsall on Tuesday to wrap up an unbeaten qualification campaign, Boothroyd is not worried about any past claims.
"It's always been there but it's what people choose to focus on," he said. "We are trying to produce a brand of football for the country, qualify for tournaments and then getting to those tournaments and winning.
"If we can do well and perform well and beat the likes of Spain, the Germans and Italians at the younger age groups, that is a good place for us to be and we are getting that right. You've got to stretch talent and give it its head. If we can do that at international and club level, we'll be at a much healthier place.
"I have tried to get the best out of what I've got and I might have worked with less gifted players and played in a way to help them win.
"I'm not talking about Watford, they were very gifted as well. I'm very fortunate to be part of a system that is working with the best players in the country.
"When you have the best players you can work and do things better because technically they are better."
Source: PA
