The joy of victory brought back from Glasgow had not even dissipated before Twain received another piece of good news.
“Are you sure?” asked Twain as he stared at Fleming, the team doctor, in his office.
Fleming nodded his head, “I’m certain.”
When Twain heard him say so, he looked down at the stack of papers in his hands again.
It was the latest report on Eastwood’s physical recovery. The team’s medical unit did a follow-up observation of Eastwood’s body. They checked him every day to keep on top of it.
The conclusions drawn from the report were gratifying.
“We all agreed that after more than a month of recovery and training, Eastwood has reached the requirements of being able to play in a formal game.
Even though Eastwood had already trained with the team these days, Twain had not been able to send the Romani Gypsy to play in a game without the doctor’s say-so.
Twain turned to look out the window at the training ground. Eastwood was in training with the team.
“Have you told him yet?”
Fleming shook his head. “We had to inform you first.”
“Okay…”
“However, although his body is able to cope with competing, his fitness is still not good enough for him to play for ninety minutes.”
“Of course.” Twain nodded and said, “Forget ninety minutes, even forty-five minutes will be impossible. Let him get used to the pace and feeling of playing in a game first….”
Fleming nodded in agreement.
Twain rose from his seat and walked out with Fleming.
This was the last day of training before the next competition, and Twain needed to announce the starting lineup for the game.
※※※
The day’s training was over, and everyone could relax. Eastwood was joking with his teammates. With him around on the team, there was more laughter than before. He was a likable young man who could enliven the mood.
Twain and Fleming walked onto the training ground. Eastwood was called over by Fleming, and everyone knew that it must have something to do with him.
“I’m going to announce the starting list for tomorrow’s game.” Twain flapped the piece of paper in his hands and everyone on the training ground quietened down.
“The goalkeeper is Edwin van der Sar. The fullbacks are Sun Jihai, Bale, Chimbonda, Piqué, and Pepe. The midfielders are Wood, Demetrio, Ribéry, Young, Lennon, and Arteta. The strikers are…” Twain looked up at the crowd when he read to this point.
“Anelka.”
The Frenchman smiled lightly as he was not surprised. He was now the first striker in the team. Wouldn’t it be a joke if I couldn’t get in the starting list?
“And Bendtner.”
The Danish teenager was also used to getting on the main list and starting lineup. Due to Eastwood’s injury this season, he had received more opportunities for appearances. Although he scored less than Anelka, he also seized quite a good number of opportunities to score.
As expected, the two players would be the starting strikers in tomorrow’s game.
In the previous Champions League game, Anelka and Viduka were the starting forwards. On that occasion, Twain had preferred Viduka’s experience in the European arena. However, Twain needed Bendtner’s drive and stamina in the domestic league.
Twain had already reported fifteen names out of the sixteen players on the main list. The one remaining name should be the substitute striker.
Twain put aside the list and looked at everyone as he said the last player’s name, “And Eastwood.”
Whistles could be heard from the team.
When Eastwood heard his name, he stared wide-eyed at his teammates, who congratulated him. He could not believe it himself.
※※※
“According to the official lists that we have just received from both teams, we found that the Forest striker, Freddy Eastwood, who had been absent for ten months due to his injury, has appeared on it.”
“Ten months… In all honesty, I’m curious as to whether Eastwood can return to his former state. Just look the changes in Ronaldo before and after his injury. The Forest fans will not want to hear what I have to say, but I still have to say that I’m not optimistic about Eastwood’s future career.” As the guest commentator for this match, Mark Lawrenson was doomed to be hated by the fans of the Forest team.
John Motson, in charge of the commentary, cleared his throat. “Mark, this is not the BBC’s Match of the Day program.”
Lawrenson shrugged. “Nobody likes to hear the truth. For a player who underwent three surgeries on his right knee within two years, I think it’s too hard to get back to his former playing condition. It’s almost impossible. I’m very touched by Manager Twain’s concern for his players, but I think he should consider introducing one or two strikers to the team this summer.”
His remark was actually quite tactful. What Lawrenson meant was that Twain should give up Eastwood and look for a new striker to replace the Romani Gypsy’s position on the team.
Motson shook his head. “I don’t think Manager Twain will do as you say.”
“Professional football is cruel. Very cruel.” Lawrenson shrugged. “It’s already a miracle that Eastwood is back on the field. I think the Forest fans should be happy that they’re able to see him at the City Ground stadium.”
Motson was unwilling to admit it out loud, but he could not help but think that Lawrenson was right in what he had said. Aside from the emotional factors, Eastwood really could not return to his former self after going through such a serious injury. How could he play as if nothing had happened? His body could not support such fierce confrontation with his condition in doubt. Therefore, how would Tony Twain face that problem?
Would he seek a replacement for Eastwood during the summer transfer market? Or would he continue to use the Romani Gypsy, who did not know when his body would go wrong?
Would he be responsible towards the player? Or would he be responsible towards the club? What else could he feel responsible for?
While Lawrenson commented on Eastwood, Twain was in the locker room assigning tasks to his players and did not hear his comments. Otherwise, he might have flipped out on Lawrenson right on the spot.
As he looked at the manager arranging the specific tasks for each member of the starting lineup in the locker room, Eastwood sat aside. Even though there was nothing for him, he still smiled.
He enjoyed everything about this. He had not heard the chief’s spirited speech in the locker room for ten months.
So even if he was just an audience, it did not matter to him. He did not care if he was not allowed to play, as long as he was here and in the sixteen players’ list. It meant that he was a member of the team and no one had abandoned him. He did not care what the outside world thought about his re-entry to the game’s name list, because the decision did not come from the people out there. It was made by the manager and teammates here.
Sitting in the locker room, listening to the chief talk, watching him vigorously wave his arm to inspire morale, his spittle almost seemed to spray towards the ceiling …All of that already felt a little unfamiliar.
“In the first half of the league tournament, we lost to Newcastle United. Today, it’s their turn to taste the same! We’ll show them, boys!” Twain grinned and clenched his fist.
※※※
Eastwood sat on the substitutes’ bench, surrounded by the media. They aligned their cameras and camera lenses towards Eastwood, wearing his jacket. As a player who had returned after ten months from his injury, it was perhaps just as Lawrenson had said: Regardless of whether he could return to his former state, it was already an enormous victory for him to be able to re-appear on the sidelines.
The media was focused on him now. It was admirable to be able to stand up again after three knee surgeries in two years. As to whether he could still play football…
Everyone tacitly refrained from discussing it——Is there a need to make it awkward for him? Isn’t it obvious? Just ask the Nottingham Forest supporters. How many people would naively think that their “Romani Rooney” can keep scoring goals for the team to win? Perhaps the most they will say is: “We’re just glad to see him again.”
Everyone in the City Ground stands happily gazed at Eastwood sitting on the substitutes’ bench, wrapped in a thick coat. But underneath their happy facades, there was probably pity.
He’s unable to get back to the top, so he can only be a substitute. We’re satisfied that he can still be here and occasionally play on the field.
On camera, Eastwood smiled at the reporters in front of him, and then he looked past them to turn his attention on the field. The game was about to start.
※※※
After the game started, Eastwood stopped smiling. He stared at the field with a serious expression. It was one of concentration.
He wanted to familiarize himself with the rhythm of the game as soon as possible. He wanted to be acquainted with the atmosphere and the feel of the game. He did not know when he would get the chance to play. It could be this game, or maybe the next one, or the one after the next. But he firmly believed that he would play. And when that time came, he wanted to show his strength. He did not have the luxury to wait until his warm-up before a game to get the feel of the game.
Eastwood was aware of his current situation. Due to his health, the chief could not give him too much time. If he did not seize the opportunity within the limited time, then what was the point of him? What team would keep a loser? No matter how deep their friendship was, there would still come a day when the contract expired.
Eastwood had signed a five-year contract with Nottingham Forest. Two years had already passed. It was customary for the club to sit with the player and the player’s agents a year before the contract would expire to discuss the renewal issue if both parties had the intention to renew. In other words, there were still two years to determine Eastwood’s future. Those two years were not too short or too long.
The Romani Gypsy knew that he could not go back to the way he had been before his injury. He had to make some changes if he still wanted to survive in professional football. Before, he could rely on his skills and speed to do a good job. Perhaps he would need to rely more on his brains than his legs in the future.
And he was going to start from this point on.
Eastwood rested his chin on his hand and carefully observed the players on the field, mentally outlining a new plan for himself in his mind.
※※※
The game progressed smoothly. Nottingham Forest dominated Newcastle United and Anelka scored a goal during the first half. The French striker had already scored thirteen goals and was ranked fourth in the league’s top goalscorer list behind the Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, and the Chelsea midfielder, Frank Lampard. That was unexpected for those who had opposed the introduction of Anelka before this season.
In this game, Twain made some localized rotations, such as replacing Chimbonda with Sun Jihai as the starting right back and Leighton Baines with Gareth Bale as the starting left back. Sun Jihai and Bale were both stronger in offense than defense. Twain’s intention was clear. He wanted to attack on their home ground and defeat Newcastle United with offense.
Before the game, Twain told two players, Sun Jihai and Bale, to press on and assist as boldly as possible. They did not have to worry about the defense. There was George Wood, who could handle two players’ job alone. What’s there to be afraid of? Just boldly press on!
During the game, those two players really played according to Twain’s instructions. The repeated plugins and assists from the fullbacks made Newcastle United’s defensive line unable to defend effectively, causing them a huge headache.
Originally, the Forest team’s two wingers were already very powerful. Attacks from the flanks had always been the Forest team’s characteristic and tradition. And now, in addition to the assists from the wingers, the Forest team’s two full backs also unleashed their strength. The tide was coming in wave after wave, and the waves were relentless.
And what about George Wood? Keeping watch at the rear, he could be seen in every corner of the rear half of the field. Sometimes he acted as the fullback and sometimes he entered the penalty area as the center back to lift the siege with a header. Most of the time, he was of course in the midfield to block the counterattacks from Newcastle United.
Newcastle United had initially thought to obtain one point at the City Ground stadium, which would be considered a victory for them. Instead, they were overtaken. In this way, if they did not attack, they would leave Nottingham in defeat. But if they did attack, they might continue to lose control of the ball. The Forest team’s aggressive offense in the game made them hesitate.
Even though Newcastle United had a world-class striker like Owen, he had no way out when faced with the more forceful George Wood. Wood’s rough defense naturally made Owen’s supporters loudly abuse him. However, as long as the referee did not cry foul on the field, these were defensive actions allowed by the rules.
“Let’s take a look at Owen. After he came to Newcastle United, he was often injured. He’s no longer what he used to be.” Lawrenson was also a former Liverpool player. With his remarks, one might think that his previous comment about Eastwood might have had nothing to do with the feud between him and Twain.
“As a lean and weaker center forward, it was impossible not to be injured after having to frequently meet the other strong defensive players head to head. If Owen continues to play this way, he will suffer more injuries.”
Lawrenson calmly analyzed Owen’s current situation and future. But to the Nottingham Forest fans, it sounded as if he was talking about Eastwood’s present and future.
On the field, George Wood successfully defended against Michael Owen, whose condition was in decline due to his injuries. Once an agile young kid and England’s golden boy, when faced with Wood, he could only walk away with his head bowed and panting for his breath after a hasty shot. Based on the stubble around his chin, it was hard to tell if this was Owen’s new style or if he had no time to take care of his looks.
A lot of people did not how to feel when they saw that scene. Eastwood, whom the Nottingham Forest fans were once so fond of, would become like this someday soon.
The Forest team had the overall advantage in the first half and repeatedly threatened the Newcastle United’s goal.
When they heard the whistle to end the first half, Eastwood and his teammates on the substitutes’ bench stood up and chatted delightfully about the first half of the game. With the team leading, everyone felt very relaxed.
The television broadcast gave Twain a close-up shot, and then turned to the substitutes’ bench to fix the shot on Eastwood’s face. It followed him until he entered the players’ tunnel.
During the halftime interval, Twain did not say anything except to praise the players for their first-half performance and encourage them to maintain it for the second half.
Everyone was in high spirits. It seemed quite easy to take down the second half. Eastwood just sat in front of his locker, laughing as he watched everyone.
※※※
When the second half of the game started, it was clear that Newcastle United did not want to leave Nottingham that way. They stepped up their offense. It was not a change in their formation or lineup, but their firm determination. They were determined to regain the situation in the second half.
The game was not going to end as easily as Nottingham Forest had imagined.
Twain had to make some adjustments.
Firstly, he replaced Arteta with Albertini to use the veteran’s experience to stabilize the midfield. Then he brought Aaron Lennon on to replace Ashley Young to continue strengthening the offense on the flanks.
Both sides were in a deadlock on the field, and it looked like Newcastle United had a chance to equalize the score. But with the efforts of George Wood, Pepe, Piqué, Edwin van der Sar, and the other defenders, the score remained fixed at 1:0.
Starting from the moment Albertini was brought on, David Kerslake called all the players on the substitutes’ bench to go warm up. Eastwood was no exception.
Twain looked at his watch in the technical area. The match had been going for seventy minutes. There were still twenty minutes before they would enter injury stoppage time at the end of the game.
“David, call the Romani back.”
Kerslake had not anticipated that. He was a little surprised and did not get up until Twain repeated himself.
“Huh? Uh… Okay.”
Kerslake got up and went to the area where the players warmed up. He did not yell and call back the warming-up players with a wave as he usually did. Instead, he walked straight over to pull Eastwood back.
The first to realize it was not the television broadcasting camera, but the fans watching the game in the City Ground stadium. Some of them screamed.
Then the television camera quickly cut over, and those Forest team fans who were watching the game on television saw the team’s assistant manager, David Kerslake, holding on to Eastwood as he bent his head down to say something.
※※※
“I’m going out?!” Eastwood was taken aback. He had not expected to get a chance to play so soon. He had initially thought that he was just here to re-familiarize himself with the competitive atmosphere in today’s game.
Kerslake nodded. “Tony told you to go back.”
Eastwood hurried over to the technical area.
Twain, who had just bent down to take the tactical board, saw Eastwood run back. He stood up and smiled. “You still haven’t warmed up enough yet? No rush, no rush.”
“You want me to play, chief?” Eastwood asked haltingly.
Twain nodded. “Yes, we need to make some changes to break the balance in the game. I think it’s a good idea to bring you on. What do you think, Freddy?”
Eastwood stared blankly for a moment and then nodded. “I agree, chief!”
Twain laughed as he looked down at the tactical board in his hands and then tossed it aside. After that, he pulled Eastwood over and the two men stood on the sidelines to look at the stadium.
“Freddy, even though I haven’t heard it yet, I think at this moment there must be a lot of people questioning my decision: letting a footballer who has just recovered from his knee injury play in this situation. What do you think?”
“They’re wrong.”
“Why?”
“Because you let me play right now, chief. If the team were ahead of the game by a lot and you let me play, then it would prove them right.”
“But that’s quite a nice way too. An easy game for you to slowly get into the rhythm of the game, recover step by step.”
“But then they would think that Freddy Eastwood was a useless player who could only play during garbage time. Even if I wanted to tell them I wasn’t, I couldn’t prove it.”
Twain turned his eyes towards Eastwood. The Romani Gypsy stared intently at the field.
“I know what those reporters thought when they surrounded me and took pictures before the game. I don’t want to give them what they want. Chief…” Eastwood suddenly turned his head to look at Twain and said, “If you also look at me with that kind, pitying expression, I think I’ll announce my retirement the next day. It’s no big deal, I can go back to my dad’s and sell used cars. I’m used to living in my caravan. Thank you but no thank you.”
Twain opened his mouth. He wanted to say something but did not know what to say. At last, he realized that there was no need to say anything.
He patted Eastwood on the back, pointed to the field and said, “Do you see our situation on the field now? Both sides are entangled, and we can’t shake them off.”
Eastwood winced, “That’s really terrible.”
“When you go up, try to get close to our opponent’s goal without being noticed. Then, once you spot the opportunity…” Twain clenched his hand that pointed at the field and slammed down. “give me a beautiful shot!”
※※※
Once the ball was out of bounds, the fourth official raised the signboard for the substitution. The number 9, Nicklas Bendtner, was to be replaced by the number 11, Freddy Eastwood!
Loud cheers and applause erupted in the City Ground stands.
A loud voice in the live broadcast shouted, “Let’s welcome back the Romani Gypsy who has been out for ten months due to his injury. Freddy…” The announcer dragged his voice out.
The fans smoothly followed up and answered, “Eastwood!!”
When Bendtner walked off the field, he high-fived Eastwood and said, “Go get them, Freddy!”
Eastwood nodded and ran onto the field.
After he high-fived Bendtner, Twain looked up at the stands and turned around. Everyone stood up to applaud Eastwood’s return. But how many of those people still held the same expectations of Eastwood as they had before?
In the past, when the Romani Gypsy had played, it had usually meant a goal. Everyone had wanted to see the smiling kid appear on the field.
And now?
His return was welcomed, and him playing again was considered a miracle!
Twain had heard such voices.
He thought about what Eastwood had just said to him again.
Those people might not mean harm, but that kind of sympathetic applause was even harsher.
※※※
As Eastwood ran onto the field, his teammates ran over to high-five him.
“Welcome back!” was the most commonly said phrase.
When it was Wood’s turn, he said nothing. He just extended his hand and gave Eastwood’s palm a hard slap. The Romani did not dodge it.
※※※
“I didn’t think Tony Twain would really let the Eastwood play,” said Motson as he glanced at Lawrenson next to him.
Lawrenson remained silent. He used his hand to constantly stroke his bare upper lip.
When he saw that Lawrenson did not respond, Motson had to continue the topic alone. “This was his last substitution quota, and it’s also a risk…”
※※※
“Eastwood received the ball from Albertini’s pass, with his back facing the opponent’s goal. But he passed the football again, seemingly afraid to make a move. The shadow of his knee injury hangs over him…”
“I said so before. A player with a severe knee injury cannot play like he used to.” Lawrenson finally spoke. He was relieved that Eastwood’s performance was in line with his expectations.
Ten minutes later, the game entered its last ten minutes. There was no change in Eastwood’s play. Both sides continued to entangle together. Newcastle United seemed to have a chance but still could not equalize the score. And if the game ended with this score, it was a fairly good result for Twain’s team. But for another person, it would be a failure.
At the 82nd minute, as Eastwood dribbled the ball along the front of the penalty area to look for an opportunity, he was pushed down by a Newcastle United player. His fall caused some chaos. The Forest players surrounded the offending player and glared at him. The Newcastle United players were obviously reluctant to let their own player be bullied by others. Both sides were really entangled this time. The loud hissing in the City Ground stadium fueled the conflict, and the source of this conflict, Eastwood, did not participate in it. Instead, he pulled back Gareth Bale, who came up to take the free kick.
“I’ll take the kick,” He said to Bale.
“But…” Bale hesitated. The manager said he had to take any free kicks that could directly threaten the opponent’s goal.
“Let me do it! Bale!” Eastwood intensified the urgency of his voice.
Bale looked at the fierce-looking Eastwood and let go of the football.
Eastwood gave Bale a weak smile. “Thank you.”
George Wood, with his captain’s armband, was right in the middle of the clashing crowd. The referee showed the yellow card to him. He and the player who had committed the fouls each received a yellow card.
If it was not for Albertini’s quick action, Wood’s right hand would have been on the other player’s neck.
At that time, it was not a matter that could be resolved with a yellow card.
When the conflicting parties were scattered, those who needed to form the wall went to do so and those who needed to interfere with the wall did so too. At that point, everyone realized that the person standing in front of the football was not the usual Gareth Bale, but Freddy Eastwood.
Everyone’s first reaction when they saw the scene was one of shock. Had anyone seen Eastwood’s direct free kicks in a game?
It was a rare sight.
Twain stood up from the technical area but did not walk to the sidelines. He just stood in front of his seat, even blocking part of Kerslake’s view.
“Eastwood stands before the ball, and it looks like he’s going to kick it. This… is a complete surprise.” Motson did not know what else to say. He did not have any statistics on Eastwood’s free kicks.
※※※
At the front, a five-man wall was lined up by Newcastle United. Eastwood stood behind the football alone. There was no one to cover for him to do a feint and run.
Once the referee saw that the wall was formed properly, and the distance was also in line with the requirements, he then moved back as he blew the whistle.
Eastwood ran up and swung his right leg to shoot.
His knee, which had undergone three surgeries, drove his calf to kick a curved ball.
The football bypassed Newcastle United’s wall and accurately drilled into the goal.
The goalkeeper, Shay Given, faced the goal without any reaction.
※※※
“GOOOOAL! GOOOOAL!! GOOOOOAL!!! Freddy Eastwood!!”
The loud “boom” which erupted in City Ground stadium was like a thunder.
Twain raised his arms high and tightly clenched his fists.
Next to Eastwood, Albertini was the first to rush up. He hugged Eastwood and lifted him up.
In the commentator’s box, Lawrenson was completely silent. Only Motson yelled into the microphone, “This is his first game since his return to the stadium after ten months and he has scored a goal! It’s too perfect! Too perfect! I don’t know how to describe this moment, but he has surprised us all!”
Eastwood broke away from the old team captain’s embrace to raise his arms to the sky. He brandished his fists and hollered.
I can’t return to my former self? What a joke! Why should I return to the past? I was just a used car salesman with a broken leg in the past, playing for fun in amateur matches … Why the hell should I return to that?
So, it’s just enough for me to come back?
This legendary striker wants to score goals, and I want to score a lot of goals!