Because Keane had transferred from Nottingham Forest to Manchester United, Keane was interviewed by the media before the game to talk about the game.
"I'm never surprised by the arrival of this day, because I knew Nottingham Forest would come back." The Irishman was still sentimental when he mentioned the team that brought him into England's top league. "I'm still grateful to Mr. Clough. I'll never forget his teachings for the rest of my life …"
When Keane played for the Forest team, the then-manager of the Forest team, Brian Clough, actually doted on him because of his outstanding talent. He would try to satisfy any of his requests. Every time he asked for a leave of absence, Clough would agree without asking for a reason. After Keane performed well in the first season, he was even given a brand-new Ford. At the time, Clough was Keane's most respected and admired person, but what happened later made the outside world think that the friendship between the two of them was gone.
When many clubs wanted to buy Keane, Keane was at a critical moment of renewing his contract with the Forest team. This was naturally thought by the powerful Clough that Keane was using these transfer rumors to put pressure on the club in the hope of getting a higher salary. So in the newspapers, Clough publicly scolded him as a "greedy child." But it was not these trivial matters that caused the two of them to part ways, but after a bad performance in a game, Keane was slapped by Clough in public at the door of the locker room.
Only now, after Brian Clough had passed away, did Keane once again show his respect for the old man, but was it too late?
The topic was a little off topic. In short, Keane expressed his respect for Clough in the interview and then mentioned the current Forest team. "I don't agree with you that this game is easier for Manchester United. For Manchester United, no game is easy. Besides, the Forest team's ranking is still above us. "
Keane had now become a Manchester United through and through. For the old Forest fans, it might make them feel sad to mention it. But for the younger Forest supporters, they would not feel that way, because they had another Roy Keane — George Wood, who quickly became the new darling of the City Ground stadium with his own performance.
After the loss to Villarreal, only the media outside Nottingham criticized him. The local Nottingham media and fans still maintained confidence in Wood.
"George Wood is the best!" Such a slogan appeared in the away stands at Old Trafford. It was the Nottingham Forest fans' counterattack against the unscrupulous media.
At this time, the players on both sides who had just warmed up on the field had returned to their respective locker rooms to make final preparations for the game that was about to start.
※ ※ ※
"Actually, our recent results are not bad." Ferguson stood in the middle of the players and paced back and forth. "We won a few crucial matches. But we are Manchester United. We can't be like other ordinary teams and be happy to be ranked in the top ten. You have to know that we have also lost a few baffling games. "
Manchester United's locker room was quiet. Everyone was listening intently to the boss's speech. In this locker room, there was only one boss, and that was Alex Ferguson. Anyone who dared to oppose him or show disrespect to him would be mercilessly kicked out. Like Stam and Beckham.
"I repeat, Nottingham Forest is a strong team! If anyone still thinks they are worthless clowns, you can raise your hand now. I will replace you with someone else. That Portuguese (Mourinho) underestimated this team, so Chelsea lost the game. Souness was deceived by Tony Twain's low profile, so Newcastle also lost. Do you want to be the kind of idiots who are laughed at by their opponents after losing a game? "
The players shook their heads.
"Yes, even though we all like to laugh at idiots, I don't think anyone would like to be the object of ridicule. We are at home in this game. Failure is absolutely unacceptable! "
※ ※ ※
On the other side, in the away team's locker room.
"Compared to their strong offensive strength, Manchester United's weakness is their defense." Twain stood in front of the tactical board and analyzed their opponents for the game for the players. "Their weakest link in the entire team is the goalkeeper. They are only ranked sixth after 14 rounds of the league tournament this season. It has a lot to do with the goalkeeper's inconsistent performance. The American Howard performed very well in his first year, but his problems have all been exposed this season. "
In fact, the Forest team's problem was also with the goalkeeper. The Forest team had rarely played a game without conceding a goal. Darren Ward's strength was not qualified to be the Premier League's main goalkeeper. However, Twain had neglected this problem during the summer transfer window. Now, he regretted it.
"Rio Ferdinand is a very good center back, but he has never had a stable partner. Whether it's Wes Brown, John O 'Shea, or the Frenchman Mikael Silvetre, none of them are qualified center backs. We can make use of this point in the game to bypass Ferdinand and break through his partner. If Ferdinand comes over to help fill the position, we can take advantage of the gap he leaves to pass the ball directly! "
Twain drew an arrow on Rio Ferdinand's position, straight into Manchester United's goal.
"Keane is a problem, so for this game … Demetrio, your position must be predetermined. Keep the Irishman occupied and don't let him have too much time to help Ferdinand."
Albertini nodded. "Yes, boss."
"When Manchester United attacks, you also have to retreat back to defend. I'll get George to help you."
Having said that, Twain glanced at George Wood. Even though the Forest team was now under his control, the atmosphere in the team was still good. However, you could not see through other people's minds. The media's method of hype, which completely disregarded what the Forest players thought, might really make the other Forest players feel that he, Tony Twain, was overly partial to George Wood. For example, Branya Gunnarsson, who had been mentioned many times in the nonsense, was a direct competitor for Wood's position. With the media adding fuel to the fire, who knew what Gunnarsson would think?
They were both young players, but Piqué and Bendtner had to be substitutes. Why could George Wood be in the starting lineup every game?
Could anyone guarantee that these young people would not have such thoughts in their minds?
This problem originally did not exist, or perhaps it was not enough to have any fatal impact. However, with the Forest team's loss to Villarreal and the media's hype, Twain could not help but pay attention to it.
This was also why Twain was so harsh to the media and did not give them any face.
I understand that you need to make up stories to attract the public's attention for the sake of sales and to support your families. After all, I'm not a moralist. I have no interest in correcting the British social ethos, calling for the media to return to morality, and reflecting on the public's lack of integrity in the media. However, if you target my team, don't blame me for not giving you face.
The Chinese have a good saying: If people don't offend me, I won't offend them. If people offend me, I'll definitely offend them!
"George." Hearing Twain call his name, Wood stood up.
"Your task in today's game is a little heavy. In addition to paying attention to defending Manchester United's number 8, Scholes, you also have to pay attention to protecting Demetrio. If Keane comes up to attack, sometimes you also need to defend him. Also, if our side defense is tight, you have to go and assist. " Not to mention Twain himself, even the other Forest players felt that this request was a little harsh for George Wood.
How could one person deal with these situations at the same time?
Some people turned their heads to look at George Wood in the corner, but they did not see Wood's frown and hesitant expression. Instead, they saw him nod and simply answer, "Okay."
Did this kid not know how to complain a little? This was not a job that one person could do at all! Was his brain not developed normally? How could one just listen to whatever the manager said? He should at least have some ideas of his own, right?
Tang En also did not expect Wood to answer so straightforwardly. His original plan was to say so verbally. In reality, the defense still required all four midfielders to participate. Ribéry and Ashley Young both needed to retreat to help the full backs defend.
In the end, Wood actually agreed. He grinned and said, "Are you sure you can complete these tasks, George?"
Wood said calmly, "If I can't, you can replace me."
Confidence? Or was he slow?
Twain sighed and said, "All right. Ribéry and Young, the two of you be more active on the side and create pressure on Manchester United's side defense. Strive to make their two full backs not have a chance to come forward and participate in the attack. "
The two side midfielders understood the reason why Twain wanted them to do so. They looked at Wood at the same time. Winning this game was undoubtedly the most important, but now they had an additional expectation in their hearts. They wanted to see if George Wood could complete the roles that the boss had given him, or would he be replaced early?
And they believed that there were more than one or two people who had the same idea as the two of them. Just look at the way everyone looked at Wood!
(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. COM. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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