The toughest part of the schedule was over. Nottingham Forest's remaining opponents were Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City. If anyone thought that these two matches were purely a formality, they would be gravely mistaken. Forest still had two matches left in the league tournament, while Everton had three. The difference between the two teams was four points. If Forest lost the next two rounds and Everton won all of them, Forest would still lose the Champions League qualification.
Tony Twain would never allow something like failing miserably in a simple task to happen.
He warned the players not to give Everton any chances, which meant that they should not underestimate their remaining two opponents.
On May 7, Round 37 of the league tournament, Nottingham Forest challenged Charlton Athletic in an away game.
In this match, Forest was completely unaffected by their loss to Arsenal in the previous away game. It was also in London, and also in an away game. At The Valley Stadium, Forest won the match cleanly with a 2: 0 score. At the same time, at Everton's home stadium, Goodison Park, Moyes' team won a difficult 3: 2 score against Bolton Wanderers. At least the suspense was not lifted early.
※ ※ ※
On May 12, Forest did not have a match. Everton had to go to London for a make-up match against Arsenal.
This match was to be played in the afternoon. Therefore, Tang En canceled his two training sessions that day. After the morning training, he stayed at home in the afternoon to watch the match with Dunn.
Dunn watched as Tang En took out a can of cold beer from the fridge and placed it on the table before the match. He then asked, "Do you need peanuts?"
Hearing Dunn's question, he froze for a moment and then laughed. "I'm used to it. When I watch matches in the country, I basically never leave my hands without alcohol. Alcohol is the fuel for my inspiration. "
Dunn turned back to watch the television and muttered, "You can't say that when you're muddle-headed."
Tang En shrugged and sat on the chair. "Hey, Dunn. What do you think the result of this match will be? "
"I never guess the score or the outcome before a match."
"Tsk, how boring. Tell me about your situation in the youth team. Didn't you get promoted to the assistant manager of the youth team? "
Dunn nodded but was unwilling to talk about his matters. He pointed to the television screen and said, "The match has started."
The two stopped chatting and focused on the match.
Twenty minutes later, Tang En downed the beer in his hand and sighed. "I don't think there's a need to watch anymore. That's it for this match. "
"It's only 2: 0. Everton still have a chance." Dunn stared intently.
Twain shook his head and got up from his chair. "No chance. Everton has no chance. We've won. The Champions League qualification is ours. "
After listening to Twain, Dunn turned to look at him. "You're not happy?"
"No, it's just … a feeling of emptiness after achieving my goal. Are you still watching? I'm going out for a walk. "
Dunn nodded to indicate that he wanted to continue watching, while Tang En put his hands in his pockets and went out shopping.
※ ※ ※
Although there was still one round of the league tournament left, for Twain, the season was considered over today. No matter how they played in the final round, it would not affect their results.
UEFA Champions League qualification.
The UEFA Champions League, powerhouses, glory, money, stars … Two weeks ago, just thinking about it made him excited. He did not expect that now, when it all really came, he was suddenly unable to be excited. Even though no one would believe him if he said it out loud, but when he saw Everton being utterly defeated by Arsenal at Highbury, conceding two goals in 20 minutes, and showing signs of more goals being conceded, a sense of "Oh, that's it" welled up in his heart.
When everything fell into place, the ecstasy naturally lessened.
When he read novels, movies, and comics, he always hoped for a little more drama. But if he really sat in this position, it was better to be more stable. Otherwise, his heart would not be able to take it.
Tang En touched his left chest. He had already felt the stimulation of speeding countless times here. It was indeed true that a manager was a profession with a high incidence of heart disease. Switching between great joy and great sorrow in an instant was probably a common occurrence for a manager.
Tang En, whose mind was full of wild thoughts, unknowingly walked in front of a familiar signboard. Although he did not set a destination, the inertia of his legs still brought him to the Forest Bar.
Ever since he fought so hard for the Forest team to qualify for the Champions League next season, he had not come to this bar again. Now, standing outside, he could still hear the noise coming from inside.
"Beautifully done! Arsenal! "
"Let's go in, let's go in!"
This group of people was also watching that match. Hearing such shouts, Tang En laughed. Although it was not a match for the Forest team, this match would decide whether the Forest team's goal for next season would be the UEFA Europa League or the Champions League. The fans paying so much attention to this match was equivalent to paying attention to their own team.
Tang En stood at the entrance of the bar, feeling a little thirsty. He was attracted by the fragrance of alcohol that wafted out from the crack in the door. But when he placed his hand on the door handle, he hesitated and gave up on the idea of pushing the door open to enter.
At this time, he did not want to be surrounded by people asking questions about how they would play next season.
He wanted to find a quiet place to be alone for a while.
Tang En looked at the noisy bar behind him and turned to take out his sunglasses and put them on. He remembered that he should go somewhere.
※ ※ ※
A group of children were happily playing football on the grass outside the small forest, while the cemetery was still so quiet.
The tombstone had already accumulated dust. Tang En seemed to have almost forgotten about this place, forgotten about the corner of his heart. Today, he once again returned to this deserted cemetery. He took out a tissue and wiped away the dust on the tombstone. Then he squatted down and stared blankly at the words on the tombstone.
Lying here was Michael Bernard and Fiona Bernard's most beloved son, Nottingham Forest's most loyal fan, and George Wood's eternal supporter — Gavin Bernard.
Every time he achieved success, Tang En would always think: If Gavin was still here, what expression would he have on his face when he saw the Forest team achieve a good result?
Hey, Gavin. When you announced outside the youth team's training ground that you had become an admirer of George Wood, did you ever think he would be as famous as he is now? He's really a star now. Not just a player, but a star, a star. His first autograph must be worth a lot of money now …
Tang En sat down and leaned against the tombstone. He looked up at the blue sky through the lush leaves.
If Gavin was still here, Michael would still be here, and everyone would still be here, just like when he first arrived in Nottingham. In that case, would he have a greater sense of accomplishment today?
— What the f * ck are you talking about, Mr. Tang? Of course we like to win. We also like the team to return to the Premier League after this season. We like to become the f * cking Premier League champions next season. The season after that, we'll be the kings of Europe!
Although it's a little late, we haven't deviated from our direction. Michael, can you really get used to days without football?
— Manager Tony Twain, are you going to make the headlines of The Sun for scaring children?
That's why I admire him very much, because he defeated me! I've decided to become his fan!
— Give him an autograph. George, he's your first fan. You can't be so cold to him. Squat down and sign!
— Even if I don't have money to buy a new jersey, I won't sell it!
— Knocking over an innocent child and then stepping over him … Is this your so-called honor? This is your f * cking honor?! You think you're so great? You think you're the heroes of this team? You … you bastards!
The past was like a movie, the scenes appearing in the sky before Tang En's eyes.
From January 2003 to May 2005, two and a half years had passed in the blink of an eye. He, Tang En, and Tony Twain had completed the transformation from an ordinary transmigrated fan to a professional football manager. But how many of the people who had accompanied him through this journey were still by his side?
Michael had left. Gavin had left. Walker had left. Bowyer had left. Even the "boss" had left. There were also the players, the players he had once encouraged, reprimanded, and fought together with. The Forest Team of today was no longer the Forest Team of two and a half years ago. It was a hard drive made of iron, but a flowing army.
The phone in his pocket suddenly rang. The image in front of him was blown away by the wind into the air. Tang En took out his phone and pressed the answer button.
"Uncle Tony!" Shania's happy voice reached Tang En's ears from the other side.
"Shania?" Tang En was a little surprised.
"Congratulations, Uncle Tony!"
"Congratulations? Why would you congratulate me? "Tang En's head did not turn around. He was still surprised by Shania's sudden call.
"Didn't the Forest Team qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League? Arsenal won against Everton. Just now … guess what the score was? "
"It's all over?" Tang En looked down at his watch. "I can't guess."
"7: 0! Impressive, right? "
"Wow, that's impressive!" Actually, Tang En was not surprised. He knew this result was normal. The difference in strength between Arsenal and Everton was not as simple as the second and fifth in the league. Arsenal had scored two goals in the first eleven minutes of the match. Tang En knew that it would not be surprising if there was a big score later on. That was because after the 2: 0, he saw that the eyes of the Everton players had clearly become lost. Their dream of the UEFA Champions League had been shattered. Perhaps the UEFA Champions League would also be a good choice. One had to know that Everton could not even participate in the UEFA Champions League last season.
They had lost their fighting spirit and goal. What was there to see in this match? That was why Tang En came out early.
But in order not to disappoint Shania, he pretended to be surprised. Sure enough, Shania's giggling came from the other side.
(To be continued. If you wish to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
