Chapter 35: The Last Stand (1)
Does anyone remember this game on May 10? Everyone was shrouded in dark clouds this week, players, coaches, team doctors, and even Ian McDonald, who was watching the gate. They still know what kind of opponents they are facing now and what kind of game they are facing?
Tang En sat in the home team coach's seat at the city stadium, watching the game in a daze. His mind was muddy. His proud on-site command ability had long been squatting in the corner.
The team was at a disadvantage, and the visiting Sheffield United was defeated and could not organize effective defense and offense at all.
This won't work. A voice said to Tang En deep in his heart, but it sounded like it was echoing in a very distant place, illusory.
The team has not conducted any targeted training this week, and even the system training is only a handful.
Tang En, a coach, has not carefully studied his playoff opponents, and he cannot even tell the players how to deal with the team in front of him.
Gavin's death haunted these people like a nightmare, and everyone was not in shape, and the game seemed to be a torment for them.
The stands at the city stadium had nearly 90% attendance, but the score could not satisfy them. 0:1, which was the score after half of the game, and Nottingham Forest fell behind.
"Tony, we should do something to save the situation!" Walker was one of the few people who returned to normal, and he anxiously reminded Don.
"Yes, you're right, Des. We should do something..." said this, but Tang En sat in the chair without moving. He was just mechanically repeating Walker's words.
Seeing Tang En's appearance, Walker sighed helplessly.
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Evan Dogette, who was sitting in the VIP box, glanced at the game field, turned his head and said to his father, "Do you really like him?"
Nigel; Doggetty nodded: "The person Hart likes has never disappointed me."
Evan shook his head: "I don't like him. Maybe he performed well in the regular season, but what's the use of losing the most critical game in an insignificant game?"
"Evan." The old man's tone became stronger, "Pay attention to your words. There is no such thing as 'regular season' here. Don't move the basketball game to the UK. You will lead a club in the future. Saying such words will make the media laugh at us."
"Oh, sorry, dad."
"Don't you like Tang En?"
"Well... how do you say it?" Evan looked at the TV. A close-up of Donn appeared on it. He sat on the coach's seat motionless, expressionless, as if dead. He couldn't come up with a better way to see the team's current situation. "Privately, Tony and I have been to London together. I think he is very interesting. But I don't think he is stable enough. I can't figure out his temper, personality and preferences, I don't understand him. Sometimes he is good, sometimes he is bad, such as now..."
Nigel was surprised at what his son could say. He turned his head and looked at Evan: "Have you put a lot of effort into it after you go back to the United States?"
Evan shrugged: "Your son is also a top student at Harvard, don't always look at me with such amazing eyes. In addition, Allen has drawn up a very detailed plan for me, and in the plan he also believes that we should reconsider the head coach."
"Alan Alan; Adams? Why are you still with him?"
"Dad, he is my financial advisor." Evan's voice was a little annoyed. "Allen has helped me a lot when my company is doing what it is today."
"Whatever you do." Nigel shrugged slightly, "I don't like that slick American anyway." He suddenly asked as if he remembered something, "Does Carly still disagree?"
Evan nodded: "She doesn't like the weather and food in the UK. She will live with Ben in the United States. But don't worry, I'll go back and see them often."
Nigel murmured: "You, your wife, your son... are all completely Americans now."
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Although Forest scored a goal in the second half, Sheffield United scored a goal before the end of the game, and the final score was 1:2, Nottingham Forest lost at home. Sheffield United left the city stadium with a satisfied smile, but the brows of all Forest fans were tightly twisted together.
The home advantage has disappeared. So, six days later, on May 16, what fate will be waiting for them at the home court of Sheffield United at Palamol Lane?
At the press conference, the sudden downturn in the forest team became the focus of attention of many media, but Tang En refused to express any opinions or explanations. No matter how the reporters bombarded him, he would answer with "no advice". As for the game failure, he took all the responsibility on his head.
Pierce Bruce didn't want to put another stone on the poor head coach, but he found that there was a problem that no one asked, and they were all involved in the boring little thing why the Forests suddenly had a sluggish state. The professional attitude of a journalist made him decide to throw this embarrassing question to Don.
"Coach Done... After losing at home, have you ever thought about the possibility that we will stay in the First Division this season?"
Don stared at Bruce for a long time, and the young man looked at him without any retreat. In this silent contest, neither of them could defeat each other.
Finally, Tang En left the press conference.
"I wouldn't let something like this happen."
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"... Although Tony Tony; Coach Donn declared at the press conference that his team will win the final victory and successfully advance to the Super League. But to be honest, I am not optimistic about his team. He scored two away goals by Sheffield United at home. With the current state of the two teams, it is really difficult to guarantee that they will beat Sheffield United away."
The BBC's "Today's Game" column is being played on TV, which is somewhat similar to "The World Football" that Don N has watched in China every period, but "Today's Game" is more like a conversation program, and is the most watched football program in England with the highest historical ratings. The current leader is Gary`Lineker, who was once famous in the world football world. His gold medal partner is two former Liverpool's strongest central defender combinations - Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson.
The person who said that just now was Mark Laurenten, who rarely appeared on the show, had gray eyes and an iconic beard.
Hanson and Laurenson have opposite views, and he believes that Coach Tony Don is a trustworthy person. If he says he can, then he will definitely be able to do so.
Laurenson believes that Hanson's view has no basis at all and cannot convince himself, and he is too idealistic.
Then the two started to quarrel like routine, and no one could convince anyone. At this time, Leinker, who was smiling and watching the show, jumped out as a mediator, and he made a suggestion:
"Since you two are not convinced by each other, I'll just make a bet."
"Good idea, Gary." Both agreed.
So Leinker looked at Laurenson's face and smiled maliciously: "Mark, you have taken this topic, you have to take responsibility for it."
Laurenson touched his lips and made up his mind: "Okay! If Don't have a team that is promoted to the Super League after the play-offs of this season, I'll shaved this beard!"
Ringer and Hansen whistled at the same time, and Hansen also applauded excitedly: "Mark, don't think of denying it, this is a live broadcast. All British audiences are working as notaries."
Laurenson bulged his eyes and said, "I never blame the debt." When he spoke loudly, he would blow the beard on his lips. It really felt like he was "blowing his beard and staring at him."
The next to him suddenly said, "Very good, Mark. Actually, I have disliked your beard for a long time..."
Looking at Laurenson's unexpected expression, Hanson burst into laughter on the show.
The laughter rang through the TV and rang throughout Burns' bar. Everyone else looked up at the laughing TV, but Donn, who was hiding in the corner, was not interested in the commentators' conversations. He scooped the rice grains wrapped in the sauce on the plate.
After dinner, he put the money on the table and walked straight out of the bar. He turned a blind eye to the people next to him who wanted to say hello to him.
Chapter completed!