Lian Po was old, could he still eat?
Twain walked up to George and leaned down to ask him, "George, are you old? Do you think you're too old to run anymore? "
"No," Wood replied expressionlessly.
"That's good." Twain clapped his hands and said, "Your defense will be heavier in the second half."
Wood was a little surprised. He thought Twain would ask him to strengthen the offense, but he did not expect it to be a defensive task.
"The manager of Notts County is not a 'one to zero believer'. We will definitely fight back in the second half because I will not allow you to lose the game. But what will Notts County do against our offense? I don't think they will start defending now. They will continue to attack, and their offense will be quite fierce. So, at least in the first half of the second half, you won't have much time to participate in the offense. George, "Twain said to Wood.
The players were even more confused when they heard this. George was the core of the team's offense and defense. If he focused on defense, who would organize the offense?
Twain patted Wood on the shoulder, then walked up to Gago, who was next to him. "You did a good job, Fernando. But you should rest for the second half. "
Gago knew that he was being polite. In fact, he did not contribute much in the first half. After all, he was old, and his physical strength and awareness could not keep up.
But no one was willing to be replaced like this.
Gago did not nod in agreement, nor did he shake his head to object. Twain made the decision on his behalf. "Thank you."
Since Gago had been replaced, who would replace him? Wood had to focus on defense, and Gago was not on the field. Who would organize the offense?
Twain turned around and looked at Chen Jian, who had been called back from outside.
"You'll play in the second half, Chen Jian."
This decision really surprised everyone, but Chen Jian did not show any surprise. He just nodded.
He already knew that he would play in this game because Twain had told him before. So, he was not surprised. Otherwise, he would have the same expression as his teammates. He had only joined the team for four days, and he was already playing in this game. It seemed like Twain really trusted this China player …
"Your task is to organize the offense. I know you often do this kind of work in RCD Espanyol, so this shouldn't be difficult for you, right? "Twain asked.
However, Chen Jian did not give him a straightforward "not difficult" answer. Instead, he frowned and raised his own question. "I've only practiced with the team for three days. Would it be …"
"George will assist you," Twain replied.
Wood also nodded in agreement.
Chen Jian looked at his teammates who were seated around him. Although it had only been three days, he had been quietly observing the team. He had a general understanding of some people's characteristics, so there shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?
"Okay, boss," Chen Jian replied in English.
"In the second half, Notts County's offense will be very fierce. We need to unify our tactics. This opponent is definitely not someone you can defeat easily. This is a derby match, guys! This was a city derby that could even up the huge disparity in strength! If you still think that you can break through by dribbling the ball, pass the ball and score by shooting the ball … then raise your hands and surrender as soon as possible. This is not your war. "
Twain's words caused some people's faces to turn red and their ears to burn. That was exactly what they thought in the first half. From the second they stepped onto the field, they thought that they could easily defeat their opponent. So what if this was a derby match? We are the home team!
But what happened in the end? After their opponent used a set piece to break the goal, they panicked and fought for themselves. They were unable to equalize the score until the end of the first half. Instead, they allowed Notts County to get a few good opportunities to counterattack. The Forest fans were so shocked that they booed in dissatisfaction.
If they lost the game in the end, their performance in the first half would be humiliating.
"So, in the second half, we will defend and counterattack. Wait for Notts County to press forward. Balotelli, your position is a little further back. Connect the front and back fields. Our three lines must be compact and not allow our opponent to separate us. When the two sides attack, you must dare to press forward. Don't be afraid of the space behind you. If you can't press forward, then you will be pressured by the opponent. "
"The simpler the attacking method, the better. Notts County's attacking method is complex and beautiful. We don't do it. Playing with them will only fall into their trap. They obviously want the ball to stay in our half of the field for a little longer. "
Tang En explained the tactical arrangements for the second half in detail to the team. In fact, the tactical arrangements had not changed. It was just that the players had underestimated their opponent in the first half and did not put in the effort to implement the tactical discipline, which led to the current situation. Now, after a terrible first half, coupled with Tang En's criticism at halftime, these people realized that they had to stop underestimating their opponent.
Tang En knew that Dunn's style of football was offensive football. He could tell from the team he had built in Notts County for seven years. Against such football, defensive counterattacks were the best way.
※ ※ ※
Chen Jian stood by the side of the field, ready to enter the field. Although Gago had already left the field, he still had to complete the substitution ceremony. So, he stood by the side of the field, waiting for the fourth official to raise his number.
This would be his first official game for Nottingham Forest, but he did not feel very excited. Whether it was when he first heard that he might play in the FA Cup or when Tang En announced his decision in the changing room, he was very calm. To put it bluntly, he was cutting his nails coldly, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
He was a little surprised at how he could be so calm. Wasn't playing for Nottingham Forest a dream all along? Now that it had come true, why did he not feel excited and happy?
Could it not be that this was his dream? Was it a delusion to deceive himself?
The broadcast was announcing the name of the player who was about to enter the field.
"Number 14, Chen Jian!"
Some fans stood up and applauded. The fourth official behind him raised his number, and Chen Jian ran up just like that.
He felt that he was very calm, so calm that even he felt that something was wrong. The field was very noisy, but his brain did not heat up. He told himself over and over again: This is Nottingham Forest's home ground! I am a member of Nottingham Forest!
It was useless. He just could not get excited. He began to wonder if he was not in the right state of mind …
※ ※ ※
Dunn saw Chen Jian run up the field, and he glanced at Tang En next door. He could guess that Tang En would let Chen Jian play in this game, so he was not surprised.
Speaking of which, he was a little excited to see how Chen Jian would perform in this game. After all, if he took over Forest next season, then Chen Jian would become one of his players.
But … he could not let him go just like that.
Dunn walked to the side of the field and beckoned the nearest Notts County player over. He asked him to pass a message to the other players on the field to pay attention to the number 14 Forest player with an Asian face.
The Chinese reporters in the stands were very excited when they saw Chen Jian appear on the field. But soon, they could not laugh anymore. Because there was always a Notts County player beside Chen Jian, and sometimes there were even two of them …
※ ※ ※
"I really don't understand. Why would the boss ask us to pay attention to that China kid?" Paul Johnson shook his head and said to his teammate beside him. Now that it was a dead ball, they only had the chance to meet and say these words.
"Who knows?" His teammate shrugged.
"From his performance in the past few minutes, he is very average …"
Of course he was very average. Chen Jian was still thinking about why he was so calm and not immersed in the game. His passing and receiving of the ball were very normal. Most of them were back passes, and very few were forward passes.
Not only did the Notts County players think that Chen Jian was very average, even the English commentator thought that the China midfielder that Twain spent nine million dollars on was only average. He thought that perhaps it was because he did not have a good rapport with the team yet.
"Chen's performance is not right …" Kerslake said to Twain. After three days of training, the assistant manager had more or less recognized Chen Jian's level, so he felt that Chen Jian's current performance was not right.
Twain pinched his chin. "Who knows? Maybe it's his first time representing Forest in a game, so he is too excited …"
※ ※ ※
Chen Jian realized that he was really very calm. Even when two opponents came up to defend against him, he could still think of observing the positions of his teammates first. What would he do if he was in a hot-headed situation? Would he protect the ball and try to get past the two aggressive players to show off in front of the home fans?
Would he force a breakthrough and then do a long shot?
Chen Jian's feet trembled, and the ball passed through the gap between the two players and rolled to the feet of the full back, Gareth Bale!
"Beautiful!" The English commentator shouted.
Previously, there was no one in this position, but Chen Jian was able to think of the same thing as Bale and pass the ball through the gap cleverly and decisively. It was indeed worthy of praise.
Chen Jian suddenly remembered that when he played for RCD Espanyol in his first La Liga game, and when he won the Man of the Match award as a RCD Espanyol player, he also seemed to be this "cold" …
He received the ball again, and when Balotelli turned around to signal for him to pass the ball, he waved for Balotelli to run forward. When he saw Balotelli turn around, he immediately sent a straight pass. The ball passed through the side of the Notts County center back, and Balotelli turned and ran diagonally, just in time to receive the ball.
Calmly analyzing the situation on the field, isn't this what I have always relied on to stand firm in La Liga?
It's not that I'm not in good form, I'm in good form!
※ ※ ※
Dunn realized that Chen Jian was always able to pass the ball out in the shortest time possible, and this caused a lot of trouble for the Notts County players who were defending against him. If a player liked to dribble, then he would be the easiest to defend against. However, if a player liked to pass the ball quickly, then it would be difficult to defend against him.
Chen Jian belonged to this type of player. His dribbling was not good, and his speed was not fast either. His control of the ball was limited to controlling the ball under his feet, and he was not able to perform any flashy movements. However, he seemed to have a natural sense for passing the ball.
Now, he did not know if he should be happy that he had such a passer in the future, or if he should be worried about the outcome of this game …
※ ※ ※
Notts County did indeed increase their offense in the second half. However, with Wood's defense and Chen Jian's organization of the ball, their offense was completely nullified.
The Notts County players gradually lost their composure as the situation on the field changed. They were still young, and they could not compare to Nottingham Forest, who had been through hundreds of battles.
Dunn could read Tang En's thoughts, so he began to shrink the defensive line. He did not expect this to be Tang En's true intention. Once the defensive line shrank, with Notts County's standard, how could they withstand Nottingham Forest's torrential attacks?
Seeing that Notts County had shrunk their defensive line, he immediately changed his tactics. He requested for the entire team to press past the center line and bombard Notts County's penalty area.
Dunn did not expect Tang En to have such a trick up his sleeve, and he could not react for a moment. Nottingham Forest seized the opportunity to equalize the score, and three minutes later, Forest scored another goal. They overtook the score!
Although Chen Jian did not directly assist in these two goals, he had participated in them. This was a good showing.
After the score was 2: 1, Tang En did not stop there. Instead, he continued to strengthen the offense. He brought on Teixeira, who had more offensive power, and replaced Cohen.
One had to know that Tang En was not a "1: 0 believer" …
Before the end of the game, Tang En took advantage of the fact that Notts County was in a rush to equalize the score, and he finally brought out his "defensive counterattack" magic weapon, allowing Agbonlahor, who was brought on later, to sneak in and set the score at 3: 1.
Notts County, who was full of confidence before the game, still lost this derby match. Perhaps they were unhappy, but no one cared about it anymore.
When the two managers shook hands after the game, Tang En planned to comfort Dunn, but he did not expect Dunn to beat him to it.
"What a pity, I only created trouble for you for 45 minutes …"
In fact, Dunn had lost because of his lack of experience. After all, he had always led teams in the lower leagues. However, Tang En would not say this now. No matter what, he had to consider the feelings of the loser.
So, he laughed foolishly.
"These 45 minutes are enough for some people to see your ability clearly. Take it slow, Dunn. "
Dunn shrugged and did not say anything else. He brushed past Tang En and walked towards the tunnel.
Before entering the tunnel, he turned back to look at the field again.
It was almost dusk after the game, and the golden afterglow of the setting sun could only shine on the upper part of the roof. More than half of Nottingham Forest's emblem was hidden in the shadows, and the entire field was shrouded in shadows.
Tony Twain, his old friend, his sworn brother who had the same parents as him, and the other person who possessed his body, the nightmare, opened his arms and hugged his men.
Take over his team? This was the toughest challenge he had ever faced since he started coaching.
However, as Tang En said, how could he improve without a challenge? Didn't he challenge those unreachable champions one by one?
Now, he only wanted to tell his wife that the Dunn she liked was back.
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