Chapter 160: Wizardly Twain Part 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As soon as Tang En entered the south locker room, he saw the giant oil painting – even if he did not want to see it, it was hard to miss it, as it took up almost half the wall and was very eye-catching. He had no appreciation of the arts, and had nothing to say in the face of such an oil painting. However, he felt it was out of place in the stadium locker room.
Since this was the only place in the south locker room that was different from the north locker room, and other people had used it to write articles, Tang En might as well do it again today...
He pulled out a neatly folded red cloth from his backpack and unfolded it. A huge team flag appeared before everyone. When they saw such a large team flag, someone in the locker room exclaimed, but soon the voice died down. Tang En indicated to Crouch and Ward, the team's two tallest players, to hang it over that painting.
While the two men were busy doing so, he explained to everyone, "Before me, there was a master, who said that the wall was the source of all the curses. According to my on-site survey just now, I think he was right. At that time the master suggested that the stadium to commission a huge oil painting to block the bad energy, which proved to be successful from the beginning. But... the Feng Shui of this place is terrible! Very hard to change! It's difficult to change, unless the entire stadium is demolished and rebuilt ..."
Some of the players gasped, and it appeared that they were convinced by Tang En's words.
Tang En continued his speech: "The master could only choose to use the oil painting as a temporary protection, so today, we will use our team flag to block that energy of 'resentment' that has penetrated through the oil painting! Our Forest team's red flag is our lucky banner. It can break the curse and bring us good luck!"
He he finished speaking, he turned his head to see that the team flag had been hung high up and affixed to the wall, just blocking the painting. "Very good! Now for us, there is already none of the 'south locker room curse'! You don't have to worry about being cursed. The ones who should worry are our opponents, because we're going to defeat them!" Standing under the huge team flag, Tang En opened his arms and said loudly with confidence.
"The Boss is right." Eastwood stood up, saying, "The day before yesterday, when we set out from Nottingham, my wife specially did a divination, and the prediction showed that the result of this game is also our victory!"
Tang En looked at his disciple, who was turning to the players to advocate how powerful his wife's divination was, and that even the local counselors would come to consult his wife about the outcome before the election ... Tang En did not know if what this Romani gypsy said was true, but he did want to thank him.
"Okay, guys!" Seeing that this matter was settled, the assistant manager Walker also spoke, "It's time for you to go out and warm up, we've delayed long enough ..."
Tang En corrected his wording, "We have let those northerners wait long enough."
The locker room broke out with the players' happy and light laughter. Tang En knew his plan had worked. Dressing in a disguise and play-acting could also help the team build up confidence.
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When the team went out to warm up, Tang En was busy working on the tactical board in the locker room. He might not know it yet, because their getting off the bus and warming up were much later than the opponents, but whatever was going on in Nottingham Forest's locker room had become the focus of many media and fans. There was a story that began to circulate among the reporters - Tony Twain had used the Eastern Feng Shui that he had learned in the locker room to help his team break the curse of the Millennium Stadium south locker room. If it succeeded, then his team and Middlesbrough would be on the same starting line!
This was a rumor that got the media excited. If it is true, then Twain will become the first manager to use this unnatural means to help the team. If the Forest team really wins in the end, will McClaren complain about his opponents' use of this practice? If he does not complain, it does not matter, as we can lead the topic in that direction during the post-match press conference….
If the Forest team did not win the championship, the reporters could also ask Manager Twain how he regarded "his get-up and play-acting" before this game – no victory meant that it was ineffective, and that meant he was just hamming it up. Thus, they could then ask him if he should have spent so much effort on this, rather than on the tactics for the team.
In short, regardless of the final outcome of this game, and no matter who would get the title, the media had a topic that they could use. And, at that time, there would be a good show!
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When the Forest players returned from their warm-up, they saw that Manager Tony Twain had already taken off the "Taoist robe" and put on a dark red suit. The compass was nowhere to be found. Both teams' starting lineups were drawn on the tactical board, the wall facing them was a large Nottingham Forest team flag, and all towels were neatly placed in their respective positions.
It looked no different from a regular team locker room. Thus, they did not even think about the matter of the "south locker room curse". There was only a single thought running through their minds now: Middlesbrough, the finals, and the Championship Trophy!
Gazing at the expressions in these people's eyes, Tang En was very satisfied with their mental state. Their gazes were firm, and not so erratic, like they had been two days ago. Back then, with one glance, he could tell that they were too preoccupied, and did not have the heart to prepare for the game.
Now everything was good, his team had entered the best state, and he was smart enough not to mention that curse anymore. When everyone was seated, and the locker room had gradually quieted down, Tang En spoke, "Guys, the moment has come. This is the final, and I hope you understand that. It's not an insignificant pre-season game, and it's not a game that you lose, where there will be a next one. It's the EFL Cup final, that we will to f**king wait for another year for another chance at, if we lose! So, buckle down and chant aloud with me: 'This is the final in the live national broadcast!'"
"This is the final in the live national broadcast!" The beginning voices were still a little jumbled, and not very orderly. Some people were fast, and some people were slow, some people's pitches were high, and some people's pitches were low, but soon, everyone was unified in their chanting pace.
"This is a great opportunity for me to make a mark!"
"This is a great opportunity for me to make a mark!"
"This is the perfect stage for everyone to witness my ability!"
"This is the perfect stage for everyone to witness my ability!"
Tang En vigorously fist-pumped, and the exaggerated powerful body language symbolized him. He swung his clenched fist and pounded into the void, allowing the players to feel an unparalleled, powerful force being smashed into their bodies, along with their boss's action.
"Let us trample on the carcass of Middlesbrough and go to Europe, in the name of the English Football League Cup champion!"
"In the name of the champion!"
After leading the round robin chanting, Tang En watched those impassioned players and laughed, "Does anyone still think that what I'm talking is an impossible joke? Is there still any doubt that we can beat the Premier League team? Does anyone think that a Premiership team is stronger than a League One team? Does anyone think we can't win?"
No one hesitated this time, as everyone loudly replied at the same time, "No one!"
"Very good! Do you believe in me? Do you believe I will lead you to victory?"
"We believe!"
"Fantastic! I believe in you too, I believe you can defeat our opponents and win the championship! We are a team, and we are one. I believe in you, and you believe in me. We can overcome all the opponents in front of us, because they block our progress. Why have we practiced so hard on our defense for a week? Since you first stepped into the world of professional football and received your training, you have shed sweat and tears every day, and even bled and suffered injuries. What is it all for?"
He turned around and erased both teams' starting line-ups on the tactical board, and wrote a big word on it -- "CHAMPIONS".
"For the championship! Only the championship can reward everything we've invested, only the championship can satisfy our hunger and make us happy. In addition to this ..." He forcefully swung his hand, and made a knife-cutting action, "... We will not accept any other result!"