Chapter 165: Who Is Afraid Of Who Part 1
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Because Wood collided into the other party, Tang En stood up from his seat and walked back and forth a few times, before finally returning to his seat. He looked at Walker, but did not say anything before turning back.
Folding his hands by the side of the field, Tang En stood still with his lips tightly puckered. Deep inside, Tang En was somewhat worried. However, he could not say it out, and he could not let others know that he was worrying, hesitating, or wavering.
Downing's breakthrough served as a wakeup call for Tang En. Theoretically, this "wall defense" of his should not have any problems…however, the most unreliable thing in a football match was "theory". When it came to the execution of a strategy, there were many things that were changing by the second.
Like just now, when, before the match, he asked the back defense line to not overextend, and to stay as far back as possible at all times, in order to prevent their opponents from passing the ball over them. But what happened in reality? Didn't they just let their opponents pass the ball over them?
It was impossible for the back defense line to stick to the end line at all times, and that was also not the correct way to defend. There would definitely be gaps, and it was just that Middlesbrough was unable to seize the opportunity in the past. This time, they happened to be able to seize this chance. However, just because it was by accident, it did not mean that Tang En need not take it to heart.
As long as there was a first time, there would definitely be a second time. McClaren himself must have noticed this as well. With Nottingham Forest's left and right backs both being of a relatively young age, each of them had their own weaknesses. The left wing was still alright, but Thompson and Ashley Young on the right wing were under immense pressure, because of Downing's presence. If McClaren made the team focus their offenses here, and had the players take turns to attack here, would Thompson and Ashley Young be able to fend them off?
Very soon, Tang En would know the answer to this question...
As expected, Middlesbrough intentionally strengthened their offense on the right wing. Downing had tried to break past Thompson three consecutive times, and if not for the combined efforts of Thompson and Ashley Young to prevent against it, he would have definitely gotten past.
But they were finally unable to surround him on his fourth attempt. Ashley Young was slightly slow to react, and Downing managed to get in between the two of them, knocking the ball past them!
A sudden loud cheering noise erupted from the Middlesbrough fans. This time, that abominable George Wood was still in the center, and he could not rush over in time!
"What a beautiful breakthrough! Downing's speed has caused Nottingham Forest to have a tough time! In the second half, he is becoming more and more active. The person with the biggest headache should be Manager Twain… A cross!"
The German player Robert Huth immediately rushed in front of Maccarone, kicking the ball out of bounds. It was yet another corner kick. Over the past few minutes, Nottingham Forest had been even more passive than the first half, and that was all because of one person — Downing.
Walker, who was seated at the technical area, stood up and walked towards Tang En. Standing beside Tang En, Walker said worriedly, "Tony, things are not looking too good."
Tang En nodded his head and said, "I know… McClaren made some adjustments, and we also have to do something… Call Bopp over here."
Walker turned around to call Bopp, while Tang En walked back to the technical area and grabbed a bottle of water to drink. Although he did not say much, Tang En could already feel that his throat was parched. Nervousness... These feelings once again returned to him.
This is the EFL Cup finals…Damn it, how could I let this become your chance to become famous, Downing?
"Boss?" Bopp, who was standing beside Tang En, called out in a slightly bewildered tone. He was standing there, but Tang En had not seen him.
"Ah…Eugen." After Tang En calmed down his inner feelings, he turned to face this German player, who could only play as a substitute, ever since Wood appeared out of nowhere. "You will replace Ashley, and tell George to switch positions. Tell him… to mark Downing closely, that number 28."
"Mhmm." Bopp nodded his head.
"And you will partner up with Gunnarsson, and become the defensive midfielder. Defend against Juninho, that Brazilian guy. Be more ruthless when you strike, let him know that you, who have just entered, are also not someone to be trifled with!" Tang En said, as he clenched his fists.
"Understood, Boss."
"Then go!" Tang En patted Bopp's shoulders and encouraged him, "Don't think too much, just play as you always do during trainings. Just perform to your usual standard, and that will be enough. You can do it."
After sending off Bopp, Tang En continued to watch the match from the side of the field. Walker also did not return to the technical area, and instead, stayed with Tang En at the side.
"Tony…." Walker said hesitantly.
However, Tang En knew what Walker wanted to say. "You are worried that we might lose this match, Des."
Walker did not make any noise, and that was the equivalent to agreeing with Tang En.
"Des, in terms of age, you are older than me. So, I think that saying something like this might not be too appropriate. But, I still want to give you a piece of friendly advice — regardless of whether you're helping Bowyer, or you intend to become the manager of some other team in the future, you have to remember this." Tang En stared at the field and said, without even turning his head around, "As a manager, even an assistant one, no matter the occasion, you must never lose hope and confidence. Because these players in front and behind you… they are all looking at you. You understand what I mean? We will win this match."
Although his heartbeat was no slower than Walker's, Tang En still turned his head around and gave him a confident smile.
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"Nottingham Forest has made their first substitution of the game. The defensive midfielder, Eugen Bopp, will replace Ashley Young. Manager Twain's intentions are very obvious. After the consecutive waves of offense by Middlesbrough, he wants to continue to strengthen their defense. It seems as though he wants to defend until overtime?"
"No, Andy. He intends to defend until the penalty kick," Martin Taylor corrected him. "Till now, throughout the entire of this boring match, the most eye-catching person was Middlesbrough's winger, Stewart Downing… His sharp breakthrough on the left has applied a huge amount of pressure on Nottingham Forest's defense! It's a pity that he lacks that little bit of good luck." Taylor was referring to Wood's foul, which had not been called out by the referee. Being able to reduce the opponent team by one player through his performance, would at least be considered as doing the team a big favor tactics-wise.
Downing's performance was very active, which was something that Tang En did not deny. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such an adjustment like that. However, to say that he was the player with the most outstanding performance in this match…. You would still have to ask one more person if he agreed with it.
Ashley Young ran to Tang En, heavily panting. Tang En gave him a hug, thanking him for his performance during the match.
On the other side, on the field, Wood heard Bopp's words, and raised his head towards the side of the field. Tang En nodded his head at Wood. Hence, he obediently ran to the side. Even though he had never played this position before, as long as his job was to mark other players, it made no difference to him wherever he was positioned!
Upon seeing that the player that now stood in front of him was number 33, the person who once knocked him over, Downing frowned.
I was just about to settle my score with you, and you came on your own accord..Very good. I'm currently in tip-top condition, and I'll let you witness my prowess!
Wood, expressionless, looked at the opponent standing opposite him, who suddenly clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. Wood did not know what Downing was thinking about, but he also did not care about it. No matter the case, you are the same as those people, who I once faced in the past, opponents and enemies who wanted to impede my obtaining the championship prize money. I don't care if you are some left wing genius in English Football, or if you are Middlesbrough's hope, or any other thing… Since Twain made me mark you, you can forget about running away.
McClaren, who was by the side of the field, already stopped caring if Juninho in the middle would have a better performance after George Wood had gone to the side. Now that Downing's condition was becoming more and more stellar, McClaren made his team pass the ball to this young man, as many times as they could.
Standing on the stage of such an important finals match, only two types of people could perform well. One type was the veteran player with a lot of experience under his belt, while the other type was the new star, who was filled with hope towards his future.
Downing was the latter. He hoped to be able to become famous through this EFL Cup finals, which was broadcast live to the entire country. Hence, he decided to work harder than he had in the past, for this match.
Come on kid, let me see what you've got!
In order to get more balls, Downing took the initiative to run backwards and ask his teammates for the ball. Very quickly, the ball was passed to him. Afterwards, he turned around in a somewhat flowery manner, which attracted a wave of clapping sounds from the stands.
Seeing this, McClaren finally revealed a heartfelt smile on his face. If he still had the mood to play around, it meant that there was nothing wrong with his current condition.
Walker, on the other side, frowned. "Wood did not follow up in time…"
"Don't worry, Des." Tang En consoled him by the side and said, "That kid will very soon discover that he chose the wrong side…"
As for Wood, perhaps there were only two people in the entire world that placed boundless faith in him. One of them was his mother Sophia, who did not know anything about football. The other one was Manager Tony Twain, who watched him grow, step by step.
Andy Gray, the commentator, also had the same opinion as Walker. "What a beautiful receive. George Wood did not close up in time, giving Downing the space required for him to raise his speed and do his tricks. Nottingham Forest's backline defense is in danger again!"
As Downing dribbled the ball down the wing, the distance between him and Wood became smaller and smaller. Downing began to sway the upper half of his body, hoping to be able to confuse his opponent. When they got much closer to each other later on, Downing would kick the ball to the right side of Wood, while he would attempt to accelerate and break past from the left side, knocking the ball past Wood!
Upon seeing this, Tang En, who was at the side of the field, smiled, thinking: This fool, do you really think that Wood is a wooden pile? You want to compete with him in terms of speed? You are not the first idiot to lose to him in terms of speed, and you won't be the last!
Seeing that the ball and his opponent were suddenly headed in two different directions, Wood did not hesitate at all, and immediately turned around to chase the ball, completely ignoring Downing, who was on the other side. Downing, who had painstakingly attempted to break past from the wing, soon discovered, to his shock, that by the time he had done so, the ball was already out of his range of control!
That number thirty-three player, his turning around speed was actually much faster than Downing's dash. He had turned around, boxed out, and intercepted the ball, all at one go! Downing could not stop in time, causing him to bump into Wood's back. A strong repulsive force struck him, causing him to grimace in pain.
"Downing's attempt to knock the ball past.. Ah! It failed! George Wood's reaction is much faster than he expected! Beautiful defense!"
John Motson, who was at home watching the live broadcast on the television, laughed out loudly and happily, after hearing Andy Gray shouting. Gray was not the first commentator to be shocked by George Wood's speed. He remembered those words, which he had told this kid after his first match — Well done, kid! Just continue playing like this, you have a bright future ahead of you!
From the current looks of it, what John said was not exaggerating at all. This kid…as long as Nottingham Forest could be promoted to the English Premier League this season, would definitely be known by many more, and he would also make more people exclaim:
"God! This kid is really fast!"
"Gosh! His body is really strong!"
"My god, this is already the ninety-third minute, and he is still able to sprint back and forth! Is he the terminator?"
And so on and so forth…
Unknowingly, Motson had actually started looking forward to Nottingham Forest's performance, after being promoted to the Premier League. What kind of force would they become? What kind of drive would this manager, a man of character, bring to this stagnant pool of water?